Mahatma Gandhi: A Biography of the Father of the Indian Nation
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| Mahatma Gandhi |
Mahatma Gandhi, also known as Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, was a preeminent leader in India's struggle for independence from British colonial rule. Born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, a coastal town in present-day Gujarat, India, Gandhi went on to become one of the most influential figures in modern history, known for his principles of nonviolence, civil disobedience, and his unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and peace.
Early Years and Education
Gandhi was born into a devout Hindu family, and his parents instilled in him a deep sense of religious and moral values. As a child, he was an average student but showed a keen interest in social issues and displayed a strong sense of justice. At the age of 13, he was married to Kasturba, a girl of the same age, in an arranged marriage, which was a common practice in India at that time.
In 1888, Gandhi went to England to study law and pursue a career as a barrister. During his stay in London, he was exposed to diverse ideas, cultures, and philosophies that influenced his thinking and shaped his worldview. He became familiar with the works of influential writers and thinkers such as Leo Tolstoy, Henry David Thoreau, and John Ruskin, whose ideas on social justice, equality, and nonviolence greatly influenced him and laid the foundation for his future actions and beliefs.
Early Activism in South Africa
In 1893, Gandhi moved to South Africa to work as a lawyer. It was in South Africa that he first encountered the brutal reality of racial discrimination and injustice faced by Indians and other non-white communities. These experiences ignited a sense of social activism in Gandhi, and he became actively involved in the struggle against racial discrimination and oppression.
Gandhi organized protests, strikes, and campaigns against discriminatory laws, such as the Asiatic Registration Act, which required Indians to carry identification documents at all times, and the discriminatory treatment of Indians by the colonial authorities. He also championed the cause of Indian laborers who were subjected to harsh working conditions and exploitation by their British employers.
It was during his time in South Africa that Gandhi first used the concept of satyagraha, or nonviolent resistance, as a tool for social and political change. He believed that nonviolence was a powerful force that could awaken the conscience of oppressors and bring about lasting change without resorting to violence. Through his peaceful protests and civil disobedience, Gandhi gained worldwide attention and became known as a leading figure in the struggle for civil rights and social justice.
Return to India and Leadership in the Indian Independence Movement
In 1915, after spending over 20 years in South Africa, Gandhi returned to India and emerged as a prominent leader in the fight for India's independence from British rule. He immediately threw himself into the struggle for Indian rights and started advocating for the use of nonviolent resistance as a means to achieve independence.
Gandhi's leadership in the Indian independence movement was characterized by his unwavering commitment to nonviolence and his belief in the power of moral persuasion. He encouraged Indians to resist British rule through peaceful means, such as boycotts, strikes, and civil disobedience and emphasized the importance of maintaining discipline, unity, and truthfulness in the struggle for freedom.
Gandhi's most notable campaign during the independence movement was the Salt March, also known as the Dandi March, in 1930. In protest against the British monopoly on salt, Gandhi and a group of followers walked over 240 miles to the Arabian Sea coast, where they made their own salt by evaporating seawater. The Salt March
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