...Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (pronounced [ˈmoːɦənd̪aːs ˈkərəmtʃənd̪ ˈɡaːnd̪ʱi] ( listen); 2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948) was the preeminent leader of Indian nationalism in British-ruled India. Employing non-violent civil disobedience, Gandhi led India to independence and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. The honorific Mahatma (Sanskrit: "high-souled," "venerable"[2])—applied to him first in 1914 in South Africa,[3]—is now used worldwide. He is also called Bapu (Gujarati: endearment for "father,"[4] "papa."[4][5]) in India. Born and raised in a Hindu, merchant caste, family in coastal Gujarat, western India, and trained in law at the Inner Temple, London, Gandhi first employed non-violent civil disobedience as an expatriate lawyer in South Africa, in the resident Indian community's struggle for civil rights. After his return to India in 1915, he set about organising peasants, farmers, and urban labourers to protest against excessive land-tax and discrimination. Assuming leadership of the Indian National Congress in 1921, Gandhi led nationwide campaigns for easing poverty, expanding women's rights, building religious and ethnic amity, ending untouchability, but above all for achieving Swaraj or self-rule. Gandhi famously led Indians in challenging the British-imposed salt tax with the 400 km (250 mi) Dandi Salt March in 1930, and later in calling for the British to Quit India in 1942. He was imprisoned for many years, upon many occasions, in both...
Words: 12676 - Pages: 51
...Who Was Gandhi? Mohandas Gandhi is considered the father of the Indian independence movement. Gandhi spent 20 years in South Africa working to fight discrimination. It was there that he created his concept of satyagraha, a non-violent way of protesting against injustices. While in India, Gandhi's obvious virtue, simplistic lifestyle, and minimal dress endeared him to the people. He spent his remaining years working diligently to both remove British rule from India as well as to better the lives of India's poorest classes. Many civil rights leaders, including Martin Luther King Jr., used Gandhi's concept of non-violent protest as a model for their own struggles. Dates:October 2, 1869 - January 30, 1948 Also Known As: Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Mahatma ("Great Soul"), Father of the Nation, Bapu ("Father"), Gandhiji Gandhi's Childhood Mohandas Gandhi was the last child of his father (Karamchand Gandhi) and his father's fourth wife (Putlibai). During his youth, Mohandas Gandhi was shy, soft-spoken, and only a mediocre student at school. Although generally an obedient child, at one point Gandhi experimented with eating meat, smoking, and a small amount of stealing -- all of which he later regretted. At age 13, Gandhi married Kasturba (also spelled Kasturbai) in an arranged marriage. Kasturba bore Gandhi four sons and supported Gandhi's endeavors until her death in 1944. Off to London In September 1888, at age 18, Gandhi left India, without his wife and newborn son, in order...
Words: 1039 - Pages: 5
...Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi Born October 2, 1869 Porbandar, Gujarat, British Indian Empire Died January 30, 1948 (aged 78) New Delhi, India Cause of death Shooting Nationality Indian Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (Hindi: मोहनदास करमचन्द गांधी; Gujarati: મોહનદાસ કરમચંદ ગાંધી; 2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948) was a leader of nationalism in British-ruled India. He is more commonly called Mahatma Gandhi;[1] mahatma is an honorific meaning "high-souled" or "venerable" in Sanskrit. He was first called this in 1914 in South Africa. He is also called Bapu in India (Gujarati endearment for "father", "papa"). He was the Martyr of the Nation since 1948. Rabindranath Tagore gave him this name.[2] Gandhi was one of the most important people involved in the movement for the independence of India. He was a non-violent activist, who led the independence movement through a non-violent protest. Early life Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869 in Porbandar, Gujarat, India.[3] Several members of his family worked for the government of the state. When Gandhi was 18 years old, he went to England to study law.[4] After he became a lawyer, he went to the British colony of South Africa where he experienced laws that said people with dark skin had fewer rights than people with light skin. He decided then to become a political activist, so he could help change these unfair laws. He created a powerful, non-violent movement. During Gandhi's life, India was a colony of the United Kingdom,...
Words: 549 - Pages: 3
...or the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a ripple of hope.” One person specifically that fits this quote is Mahatma Gandhi. Mahatma Gandhi fought for his belief that India should be an independent country and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom around the world. For these reasons Mahatma Gandhi lived Robert F. Kennedy’s words and is a true hero. Mahatma Gandhi was born in Porbandar, India during the year 1869. His family was of a Modh Bania subcaste of the merchant (vaisya) caste. Gandhi aspired to study medicine while he was a child, but instead his dad forced him to study law. Due to this, In 1888 Gandhi sailed to London, England to study law (“Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi”). Before he left to London, he had to take three vows. He promised not to be interested in women, not to drink wine, and not to eat meat (Shridharani 3). These vows are significant as they affected him the rest of his life. These vows were a guide for him as to what path and beliefs to have and to influence with on the people of India. In London he mastered law but was never accustomed to the English lifestyle. Gandhi was offered a job on June 10, 1891 and sailed back to India to Bombay. Gandhi was ineffective while practicing law in Rajkot and Bombay (“Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi”). Thankfully, Gandhi received an offer from Muslims to be a lawyer fro them in Pretoria, South Africa (Fischer 39). One of Gandhi’s first discoveries of the discrimination...
Words: 1216 - Pages: 5
...Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was the spiritual and non – Violent Political Leader. His father’s name was Karamchand Gandhi; his mother’s name was Putlibai. His wife was called kasturbai Makhanji, gandhiji and kasturiba had four children. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi better known as Mahatma Gandhi was born on 2nd October 1869 in porbandar, Gujarat. At the age of 19 years he went to London to study law and returned to India in 1891 to practice law. He couldn't find work that would give better life for him and his family, later he travelled to South Africa for his practice. Gandhi moved South Africa in 1893, at the time the British ruled South Africa. There he was thrown off a train after disapproving to move from the First class compartment to a third class even though he bought the first – class ticket. When he accomplished to claim his rights as a British subject Gandhi was harmed. He observed that all Indian people suffered badly by bristish Government. All these incidents were a turning point in his life; he put his attention to social injustice and influencing his consequential social activism. With the Help of natal Indian congress he moulded the Indian community of South Africa into a uniform political force.He started Satyagraha -devotion to the truth. Satyagraha established with the principles of truth, nonviolence and courage. Gandhi was arrested so many times by the British for his activities in India and South Africa. In 1915, Gandhi returned to India .At...
Words: 1062 - Pages: 5
...Gandhi Mahatma Gandhi a historical figure well known for his peace making and intelligence and bravery across india but he did not just have an impact on india he had an impact on all humanity and all countries. Modhaus Gandhi´s was born October 2, 1869 in Porbandar, India to Karamchand and Putlibai Gandhi. He was born into a wealthy family. Karamchand, his father, was a politician in India and Putlibai his mother was a strong hindu woman in faith. As a child he learned his peaceful state of mine from his mother Putlibai she raised him the hindu way. As I read a book about Gandhi I found a story is a story to where his intelligence came from they say as he was a young child his mother got attacked by a scorpion and he wanted to kill it but she told him to stay calm and just let it be so he did and she put the scorpion in her silk cloth and carried out to a court yard. So her just telling him to stay...
Words: 933 - Pages: 4
...Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born in the town of Porbander in the state of what is now Gujarat on 2 October 1869. He had his schooling in nearby Rajkot, where his father served as the adviser or prime minister to the local ruler. Though India was then under British rule, over 500 kingdoms, principalities, and states were allowed autonomy in domestic and internal affairs: these were the so-called 'native states'. Rajkot was one such state. Gandhi later recorded the early years of his life in his extraordinary autobiography, The Story of My Experiments with Truth. His father died before Gandhi could finish his schooling, and at thirteen he was married to Kasturibai, who was of the same age as Mohandas himself . In 1888 Gandhi set sail for England, where he had decided to pursue a degree in law. Though his elders objected, Gandhi could not be prevented from leaving; and it is said that his mother, a devout woman, made him promise that he would keep away from wine, women, and meat during his stay abroad. Gandhi left behind his son Harilal, then a few months old. In London, Gandhi encountered theosophists, vegetarians, and others who were disenchanted not only with industrialism, but with the legacy of Enlightenment thought. They themselves represented the fringe elements of English society. Gandhi was powerfully attracted to them, as he was to the texts of the major religious traditions; and ironically it is in London that he was introduced to the Bhagavad Gita. Here, too, Gandhi...
Words: 308 - Pages: 2
...another.” -Arun Gandhi (Mohandas K. Gandhi’s grandson) Gandhi is a name that transcends country, state and continental borders. His messages and practices have created a legacy that impacts the world to this day. The method of nonviolence demonstrated in the Salt March shaped the Civil Rights Movement and continues to influence social change. How can one man ignite such vast empowerment within a population that had been oppressed by British rule for over seventy years? Mohandas Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869 in the village of Probandar. At the time, around two thirds of India was ruled by the British Empire, referred to as British Raj (BBC News). Probandar was a minority within India; it was a princely state meaning the land legally belonged to India, not Britain. Gandhi’s father, Karamchand, was a local politician who was accepting of different religions; he had Muslim, Parsee and Jains friends. His mother, Putlibai, an illiterate devout Hindu, took her religion very seriously and tried to instill such beliefs in Gandhi. Following Hindu tradition, Gandhi was set up by his parents to be married at the age of 13 (Singh). In 1885, Karamchand passed away causing Gandhi to become the head of the household. He was sent to England by his family at the age of 19 to study law and attain a job to support them. However, elders in his caste did not approve of such travels, believing Gandhi would lose sight of his beliefs and become westernized. Regardless, Gandhi chose to go and...
Words: 2334 - Pages: 10
...Gandhi Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi is one of the main figures in India’s history Family: Gandhi was born on the 2 October 1869 from a wealthy family. His father, Karamchand Gandhi, was the prime minister (diwan) of a small princely state called Porbander state, and his mother, Putlibai, was Karamchand’s fourth wife. At the age of thirteen, he married Kasturbai Makhanji . It was an arranged wedding in the custom of the religion. They had 4 boys: Harilal, born in 1888; Manilal, born in 1892; Ramdas, born in 1897 and Devdas, born in 1900 Education: Gandhi spent his middle school in Porbander then went to Rajkot for his high school. He was an average student while those years. When he past his matriculation exam for Samaldas College at Bhavnagar with some difficulty he was unhappy because his parents wanted him to become a barrister. Early adult life: When he was 19 Gandhi went to London , to study law at University College London in order to become a barrister .Because of a vow made to his mother , he joined a Vegetarian society who influenced him and he became interested in both Hindu and Christian scriptures . As he was called to the bar in India, Gandhi learned that his mother had died while he was in London and he went back to Rajkot to draft petitions for litigants. He had to stop his business when he ran in a British officer so he got a work in South Africa, which was part of the British Empire. There he faced racism, discrimination...
Words: 418 - Pages: 2
...Primary Sources Gandhi, Mahatma. "Mahatma Gandhi First Television Interview." Fox Movietone News. Fox Movietone News, FMN, April 30, 1931. I found this source important to my research due to the fact that it’s a firsthand interview with Mahatma Gandhi and it shows his values and beliefs during that time period. Also within the video he says what his “plan of attack” is which is useful to hear from Mahatma Gandhi himself. However since this picture is a newscast they could have taken things out that they didn't want other people to hear or didn't believe themselves which is a negative. Another negative is that it doesn’t show the peoples beliefs at the time it just shows Mahatma Gandhi’s. Gandhi, Mahatma. "Mahatma Gandhi." Speech, Mahatma Gandhi from India, London, October 17, 1931. I found this source useful due to the fact that is a speech and it shows Mahatma Gandhi’s views himself and it’s not an interview its him speaking to a crowd, However due to the fact that during a speech you’re trying to persuade a group of people. Mahatma could’ve said some things that he really didn't mean and he could've said it just to have people agree with him. Also it could be considered unreliable because it’s on YouTube and someone could have edited it and took things out. Gandhi, Mahatma. The Labor Monthly. Vol. 14, April 1932 I found this source important to my research due to the fact that it’s a firsthand interview with Mahatma Gandhi and it shows...
Words: 1740 - Pages: 7
...Short Essay on Mahatma Gandhi Full name of 'Mahatma Gandhi' was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. He was born in Porbandar of Gujarat, India on 2 October 1869. After passing the Matric Examination he went to England for higher studies. Gandhiji completed his law in England and came back to India in 1893. He started his career as a lawyer. Gandhiji started his legal practice in South Africa. In South Africa he faced many hurdles. He discovered that white men were ill treating the dark Indians there. He himself was tortured and insulted by the white often. One day, he was traveling in a first class compartment of a train. He had booked a ticket for him. Still he was evacuated and punished out of the compartment by the white men. Gandhiji fought against this unjust and cruel treatment. He observed Satyagraha there and became successful. Gandhiji returned to India and took part in freedom fight. He was sent to jail many times. Now all the countrymen were with him. He started the Non-co-operation in 1930 and the Quit India Movement in 1942. He became famous as the 'Father of Nation'. Due to his leadership, ultimately India got freedom on 15th August 1947. Gandhiji's style of living was very simple. He was follower of 'Simple living, high thinking'. He taught us the lesson of 'Ahimsa'. He removed the caste barrier in India. He was a reformer. He was shot dead by an Indian on his way to attend a prayer on 30 January, 1948. Mahatma Gandhi is remembered in the world for his major...
Words: 266 - Pages: 2
...Jake Brillhart – Response Paper #1 Mohandas Gandhi Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, commonly known as Mahatma Gandhi, was born in Porbandar, which was a Princely British Indian State at the time. He was born on October 2nd, 1869 to a father that was a senior government official. Gandhi grew up studying law in London and eventually became a lawyer. He would then become famous for fighting for Muslim and Hindu Indian’s civil rights in South Africa. Gandhi is remembered as one of the most famous spiritual/religious leaders of all time. However, depending on the historians you talk to, their opinions of Gandhi will all be a slight bit different. During his lifetime, Mahatma Gandhi became famous throughout the world by enforcing civil disobedience, the ideas of nonviolence, and initiating protest campaigns for India’s independence; however many people didn’t know he was also very racist against African-Americans. Personally, I have always thought of Mahatma Gandhi as one of the most influential and religious men of all time. However, Professor Mann showed me that every good person has their own flaws as well. Professor Mann told us a shocking story about when Gandhi’s father, Karamchand Gandhi, was on his death bed and was sickly ill. His father had been one of Gandhi’s main influences throughout his life so one would think that Gandhi would be right by his father’s side during his last moments. However, Gandhi was actually in another room losing his virginity. This story just shows...
Words: 1179 - Pages: 5
...values and attitudes of modern day society. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. were one of the most influential individuals of all time, who used non-violent methods of protest to convey their message to their respective populations, and eventually succeeded through perseverance. Gandhi and Luther King Jr. both travelled extensively throughout their countries, inspiring people towards change and freedom. Gandhi was born on 2nd of October, 1869 (Porbandar, India). He studied law and advocated for the civil rights of Indians in India and South Africa under colonial rule of the British. Gandhi was a lawyer for many years until he fought to free India...
Words: 819 - Pages: 4
...The Power of Non-Violence The movies “Gandhi” and “A Force More Powerful” showed how Gandhi focused on non-violence and fought for the Independence of India. The movie “Gandhi” is a dramatization of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi’s life, which covers how he was thrown off a South African train for being in a whites only compartment, India’s Independence, India-Pakistan’s partition and concludes with his assassination and funeral in 1948. It has more story and characters than the movie “A Force More Powerful,” which is a documentary film. The documentary focuses on Gandhi’s leadership of the Indian Independence movement and the Salt March. In this movie, they showed real clips of videos of that time. In the order to advance the cause of a free India, Gandhi began the Salt March in 1930, which protested the salt taxes imposed by Britain. In the Salt March from Ahmedabad to Dandi, Gandhi traveled 250 miles to make salt from the ocean water, in order to avoid paying the salt tax. Millions of Indians joined him to show their support. Like African-Americans in the United States, the Indian people longed for freedom, as well as for the full spectrum of rights denied them by the British government. The Salt March resulted in the mass civil disobedience and non- violent struggle against British rule. As Gandhi and his followers reached the coast, he picked up a handful of salt, breaking the law. A month later, Gandhi was arrested. This started a series of protests and boycotts, which...
Words: 726 - Pages: 3
...Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi’s philosophy and teaching were based on a theory called Satyagraha. Satyagraha (soul-force) is a way of living one’s life through combining truth, love, and resistance to any physical violence. Gandhi personally embodied this satyagraha way of life and spent most of his life dedicated to bringing his home land, India to the same. However, his political views and satyagraha teachings brought about much turmoil during this time in India. During the early 1900’s, India longed for religious and political freedom from the British Empire. With strong influences from western societies, western political views, and a predominately secular society, could the practice of daily living a satyaghra survive and be successful today? Satyagraha “soul-force” or “love-force” has a beautiful concept to daily living such as reframing from violence, harboring no anger, and to be truthful. Together with the force of truth and love of nonviolence, the phase “passive resistance” became coined with Gandhi’s satyagraha living. Convincing the Indian government and people of India to live satyagraha religiously was pain-staking for Gandhi and he continued this quest until his assignation by a religious fanatic at the age of 79. Gandhi stated, “nonviolence in its dynamic condition means conscious suffering. It does mean meek submission to the will of the evil-doer, but it means the pitting of one’s whole soul against the will the tyrant.” (455) I believe the people...
Words: 633 - Pages: 3
