Mahatma Gandhi's life symbolizes the values of Indian freedom struggle, truth and non-violence. His full name was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. He was born on 2 October 1869 in a Hindu family in Porbandar, Gujarat. His father Karamchand Gandhi was the Diwan of Porbandar and his mother Putlibai was a woman with deep religious thoughts. Gandhi's childhood was spent in a simple and religious environment. His mother instilled in him the values of truth, non-violence and morality from childhood, which became the guiding principles of his life.
Early Life and His Punishment
Mahatma Gandhi served his initial sentence in Porbandar and Rajkot. He was shy and introverted from childhood. But his unwavering loyalty to the truth was evident from childhood. At the age of 13, he was married to Kasturba Gandhi.
In 1888, Gandhi went to England, where he studied law. While in England, he faced many difficulties in maintaining his Indian traditions and values. Even while living in the midst of Western civilization, he continued to follow a vegetarian diet and a simple lifestyle. In 1891, he returned to India as a barrister, but he had no particular success in advocacy.
Life in South Africa
In 1893, Gandhiji went to South Africa in connection with a legal case. The experience here proved to be a turning point in his life. In this event, he was kicked out of the first class compartment due to apartheid policies. This humiliation inspired him to stand up against the injustice being meted out to Indians.
He first experimented with Satyagraha in South Africa. It was a method of peaceful protest, in which truth and non-violence were made rights. He fought for the rights of Indians and organized them. His struggle in South Africa established him as a skilled leader and politician.
Role in Bharat Wapsi and Freedom Struggle
Gandhi returned to India in 1915 and joined the freedom struggle. He traveled all over India and understood the problems of the people. There were many major movements under his leadership, the aim of which was the independence of India from the British government.
Champaran and Kheda Satyagraha
In 1997, Gandhiji led a satyagraha in Champaran, Bihar to solve the farmers' problems. Farmers were being drugged by the British government to cultivate indigo. Gandhi ji protected the rights of farmers in a non-violent manner.
During the Satyagraha of Kheda in 1918, he fought with the British government to provide relief to the peasants.
Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922)
The Non-Cooperation Movement started under Gandhi's leadership, appealing to Indians to boycott the British rule. He appealed to the people to boycott their indigenous clothes and boycott foreign clothes.
Dandi March and Salt Satyagraha (1930)
In 1930, Gandhiji led the Dandi Yatra against the Salt Law. He traveled 240 miles from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi and defied British government laws by making salt on the seashore. This movement proved to be a turning point against the British rule.
Quit India Movement (1942)
Gandhi started Quit India Movement in 1942. He called upon the Indians to "do or die". In this movement, the public opposed the British government on a large scale. Gandhiji and many Congress leaders were arrested, but this movement laid the final foundation for independence.
Gandhiji as a social reformer
Mahatma Gandhi was not only a political leader, he was also a social reformer. He worked on issues like untouchability, caste discrimination and inequality towards women.
1. Harijan Movement: Gandhi ji named Dalits as "Harijan" (people of God) and fought for their social rights.
2 Women Empowerment: Gandhi ji encouraged women to participate in the freedom struggle and supported their punishment and rights.
3 Cleanliness and self-reliance: Gandhiji was a great supporter of cleanliness. He believed that cleanliness is essential for the progress of the nation and he made khadi and charka a symbol of self-reliance.
Gandhi's ideology
Gandhi ji's life was based on the principles of truth, non-violence and morality. He believed that any problem can be solved through truth and non-violence. He promoted religious tolerance and treated all religions equally.
Truth and non-violence
Gandhi ji believed that truth is the greatest power. He propounded the doctrine of truth as "Ishwar ke Ishwar hai". His ethos of non-violence was not limited to opposition to physical violence but also resulted from his mental and emotional violence.
Religion and ethics
Gandhi who was a religious person used to study books like Gita, Quran and Bible. His life was the epitome of piety, piety and simplicity. He believed that morality is essential in politics.
Independence and partition
India got some independence on 15 August 1947, but with it the country was partitioned. Gandhiji was saddened after this partition, he tried to establish peace in Delhi and Nokhali to prevent communal riots.
Assassination of Gandhiji
On 30 January 1848, Nathuram Godse assassinated Gandhiji.