Who was Mahatma Gandhi?
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born to a Hindu family in Porbandar, modern-day Gujarat, on 2nd October 1869. At the age of 19, he travelled to London to study law. He returned to India and started his legal practice in 1892.
When Gandhi Ji visited South Africa in 1893, he was deeply shocked to see how Indians were discriminated against by the Dutch and British colonial authorities.
In 1894, he founded the ‘Natal Indian Congress’. He led many non-violent campaigns to fight for the rights of Indians living in South Africa.
What were his contributions to India’s freedom struggle?
The Indian National Movement began in 1905, but Gandhi Ji became an active part of it in 1914. However, he felt our struggle for independence would not be complete until the poor communities also joined it.
Thus, he dedicated himself to helping the peasants and factory workers, who were suffering due to the unfair policies of the British Indian government. He adopted the methods of civil disobedience, non-cooperation, and fast-unto-death, to bring them justice.
Later, he joined the Indian National Congress. As a mass leader, he led many political campaigns to achieve independence from British rule, such as Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-22), Civil-Disobedience Movement (1930-34), and the Quit Indian Movement (1942).
What was Gandhi Ji’s philosophy?
Gandhi Ji’s philosophy was influenced by the teachings of different religions (Hinduism, Jainism, Christianity, and Islam) and his favourite authors, Leo Tolstoy and James Ruskin.
The two main ideas of his philosophy are truth (Satya) and non-violence (Ahimsa). Though he was a devoted Hindu, he believed that all religions were equal and spoke of the same truth. He wanted people of all religions to co-exist peacefully.
He was against the evil practice of untouchability and fought against it. He also encouraged people to be more compassionate and loving.
In what way has the world honoured Gandhi Ji’s legacy?
Gandhi Ji’s method of peaceful protest has inspired leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. of the USA and Nelson Mandela of South Africa in their fight against injustices.
The Constitution of India has adopted Gandhi Ji’s political ideas. For instance, Article 46 says that our government should work to promote the education and economic interests of weaker sections of society, especially the disadvantaged castes and tribes.
What inspires you most about Gandhi Ji or his life? Let us know in the comments below.
