Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi or Mahatma Gandhi was a famous freedom activist and an authoritative or powerful political leader who played a key role in India’s struggle for independence against British rule in India. He was also considered the father of the country. No doubt, it has also improved the lives of India’s poor people. His birthday is celebrated every year as Gandhi Jayanti. His ideology of truth and non-violence influenced many, and was adopted by Martin Luther and Nelson Mandela for their struggle movement.
Gandhi Jayanti 2023: Is October 2 a Public Holiday in India? Everything you need to know
Biography of Mahatma Gandhi
| Full Name: Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi Born: October 2, 1869 Place of Birth: Porbandar, Gujarat Death: January 30, 1948 Place of Death: Delhi, India Cause of Death: Gunshot or assassination Father: Karamchand GandhiMother: Putlibai Gandhi Nationality: Indian Wife: Kasturba GandhiChildren: Harilal Gandhi, Manilal Gandhi, Ramdas Gandhi and Devdas Gandhi Professions: lawyer, politician, activist, writer |
Mahatma Gandhi protested in South Africa for about 20 years against injustice and racial discrimination using a non-violent method of protest. His simple lifestyle won him fans both in India and outside the world. He was popularly known as Bapu (Father).
Mahatma Gandhi: Early Life and Family Background
He was born on October 2, 1869 in Porbandar, Gujarat. His father’s name was Karamchand Gandhi and his mother’s name was Putlibai. At the age of 13, Mahatma Gandhi married Kasturba in an arranged marriage. They had four sons, Harilal, Manilal, Ramdas and Devdas. She supported all her husband’s endeavors until her death in 1944.
His father was the Dewan or Chief Minister of Porbandar, the capital of a small principality in western British India (now the state of Gujarat). Mahatma Gandhi was the son of his father’s fourth wife, Putlibai, who belonged to a wealthy Vaishnava family. Let us tell you that in his earlier days he was deeply influenced by the stories of Shravana and Harishchandra because they reflected the importance of truth.
READ| Why is Gandhi Jayanti celebrated on October 2?
Mahatma Gandhi: Education
When Gandhi was 9 years old, he went to a local school in Rajkot and learned the basics of arithmetic, history, geography and languages. At the age of 11, he started high school in Rajkot. Because of the wedding, his studies were interrupted for at least a year, and later he joined and finished his education. He joined Samaldas College at Bhavnagar in 1888 in Gujarat. Later one of his family friends Mavji Dave Joshi went on to study law in London. Gandhiji was not satisfied with his studies at Samaldas College so he was excited by London’s proposal and managed to convince his mother and wife that he would not touch non-vegetables, wine and women.
Departure to London
In 1888, Mahatma Gandhi went to London to study law. After that, 10 days after his arrival, he joined the Inner Temple, one of the four law schools in London, and studied and practiced law. In London he also joined the Vegetarian Society and some of his vegetarian friends introduced him to the Bhagavad Gita. Later, the Bhagavad Gita left an impression and influenced his life.
55 best Mahatma Gandhi quotes for inspiration and motivation
Mahatma Gandhi: In South Africa
In May 1893 he went to South Africa to work as a lawyer. There, he experienced racial discrimination firsthand when he was kicked out of a first-class apartment on a train despite having a first-class ticket because it was reserved for whites only and no Indians or blacks were allowed to travel in it. first grade. This incident had serious consequences for him and he decided to protest against racial discrimination. He further noted that this type of incident was quite common against his fellow Indians who were derogatorily called coolies.
READ| When and why did the British first land on Indian territory
On 22 May 1894, Gandhi founded the Natal Indian Congress (NIC) and worked hard to improve the rights of Indians in South Africa. Gandhi became the leader of the Indian community in South Africa in a short period of time. Tirukkural ancient Indian literature, originally written in Tamil and later translated into various languages. Gandhiji was also influenced by this ancient book. He was influenced by the idea of Satyagraha, which is commitment to truth, and in 1906 he conducted a non-violent protest. He returned to India in 1915, after spending 21 years of his life in the South African Republic, where he undoubtedly fought for civil rights and transformed into a new person during that time.
Mahatma Gandhi: Role in the Indian Independence Movement
In 1915, Gandhiji returned to India permanently and joined the Indian National Congress with Gopal Krishna Gokhale as his mentor.
Gandhi’s first major achievement was in 1918 when he led the Champaran and Kheda agitations in Bihar and Gujarat. He also led the Non-cooperation Movement, Civil Disobedience Movement, Swaraj and Quit-India movement against the British Government.
the Gandhi-Irwin Pact
Mahatma Gandhi: Satyagraha
Gandhi identified his overall method of non-violent action as Satyagraha. Gandhiji’s Satyagraha influenced eminent figures such as Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther in their struggle for freedom, equality and social justice. Mahatma Gandhi’s Satyagraha was based on true principles and non-violence.
“Live as if you will die tomorrow. Study as if you will live forever.” – Mahatma Gandhi
READ| Mahatma Gandhi’s Champaran Satyagraha
Mahatma Gandhi: Death
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi assassinated Nathuram Godse on January 30, 1948. Godse was a Hindu nationalist and a member of the Hindu Mahasabha. He accused Gandhi of favoring Pakistan and opposed the doctrine of non-violence.
Mahatma Gandhi: Literary Works
Gandhi was a prolific writer. Some of his literary works are as follows:
• Hind Swaraj, published in Gujarati in 1909.
• Edited several Harijan newspapers in Gujarati, Hindi and English; Indian Opinion, Young India, in English, and Navajivan, a Gujarati monthly.
• Gandhi also wrote his autobiography, The Story of My Experiments with Truth.
• His other autobiographies include: Satyagraha in South Africa, Hind Swaraj or Indian Home Rule.
Gandhi Jayanti Quiz: GK Questions and Answers on Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi: Awards
• In 1930, Time magazine named Gandhi man of the year.
• In 2011, Time magazine named Gandhi one of the top 25 political icons of all time.
• He did not win the Nobel Peace Prize despite being nominated five times between 1937 and 1948.
• The Government of India has institutionalized the annual Gandhi Peace Prize to distinguished social workers, world leaders and citizens. Nelson Mandela, the leader of the South African struggle against apartheid was the recipient of the award.
“Happiness is when what you think, what you say and what you do are in harmony.” – Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi: The Movie
Ben Kingsley played Mahatma Gandhi in the 1982 film Gandhi, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Therefore, Mahatma Gandhi will be remembered forever because he spread the message of non-violence, truth and faith in God and also fought for India’s independence. His methods have inspired various leaders and youth not only in India but also outside India. He is considered to be the most prominent person and the simplest person to wear a dhoti in Indian history. He spread the message of swaraj and taught Indians how to become independent.
READ|Mahatma Gandhi’s journey from South Africa to India
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education