-
Birth and Family
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born at Porbandar, a coastal city in Kathiawad on the 2nd October 1869. He was the youngest child of his parents, Karamchand and Putlibai.
Gandhi belonged to the Modh Bania community.
Mohan had a great devotion for his father and he often used to be present at the discussions about the State problems. They were originally grocers. However, Mohan's father. Karamchand, also served as the Dewan of Porbandar, Rajkot and Vankaner States. -
Childhood
Mohan attended Primary School at Porbandar. When he was seven, his family moved to Rajkot. He was a mediocre student, was shy and avoided any company. He read little besides the text books and had no love for outdoor games. Mohan joined High School at Rajkot. He was liked by the teachers and often received prizes. But he neglected physical training and hand-writing. He was devoter to his father and considered it his duty to nurse him during his illness.. Mohan's father died when Mohan was 16. -
Gandhi in England
He attended the College at Bhavnagar, but left after the first term. At that time, the idea of his going to England for studying law came up.Gandhi reached England by the end of September 1888. Everything was strange to him. He was shy and diffident, could not speak English fluently and was ignorant of British manners.Gandhi became a vegetarian for life, He even started a Vegetarian club in his locality and became its Secretary. -
Gandhi and the law career
He studied for and passed the London matriculation examination. Becoming a Barrister meant attending at least six dinners in each of the twelve terms and giving an easy examination. Gandhi, however, studied sincerely, read all the prescribed books, passed his examination and was called to the bar in June 1891. He then sailed for home. -
Gandhi in South Africa
Gandhi returned to India as a Barrister, but he knew nothing about the Indian law. Lawyers used to pay commissions to touts to get cases. Gandhi did not like this. Besides, he was shy and an occasion to argue in the Court unnerved him. He became a disappointed and dejected 'Bridles Barrister'. -
Gandhi against discrimination
Right since his arrival, Gandhi began to feel the pinch of racial discrimination in South Africa. Indian community was ignorant and divided and therefore unable to fight it. In connection with his case, Gandhi had to travel to Pretoria. On reaching Pretoria, Gandhi called a meeting of the local Indians. There he learnt a lot about the condition of Indians. It was there that he made his first Public Speech and suggested formation of an association. He offered his services for the cause. -
The war vs British rulers
Gandhi, however, remained a loyal citizen of the British Empire. In that spirit, he decided to help the British during the Boer War. The Boer were the Dutch colonizers who ruled some of the South African colonies. They were simple and sturdy people with strong racial prejudices but the British wanted to rule whole of the South Africa.Indian community learnt a lot from this experience. British won the war, although the Boers fought with determination, which made a deep impression on Gandhi. -
Satyagraha and Gandhi in jail
The White rulers were bent on keeping South Africa under their domination.They wanted as few Indians there as possible and that too as slave-labourers.In Transvaal, Indians were required to register themselves. The procedure was humiliating.Gandhi realised that it was a matter of life or death for the Indians.He disobeyed and was jailed for two months.Indians filled the jails.General Smuts called Gandhi and promised that the law would be withdrawn if the Indians agreed to voluntary registration. -
Other facts
Gandhi was freed from jail in 1924 on the ground of health. He laid stress on the charkha and the removal of untouchability. Political atmosphere in the country began to change slowly. Gandhi took part in the Round Table Conference in England in 1931 as the representative of the Congress. It was a frustrating experience for him. The British were bent on prolonging their rule by following the policy of Divide and Rule'.He was arrested and the Civil Disobedience Campaign was resumed. -
Gandhi fights for equality and his death
Gandhi participated in countless events during his stay in South Africa, and later in his native country India always fighting and demanding equality of conditions without stereotypes between people,and seeking to overthrow British laws and with the aim of renewing them to improve the situation of his country.It was January 1948,Hindu communalists thought that Gandhi was pro-Muslim, so was assassinated by Nathuram Godse,a Hindu extremist,who fired 3 shots at him,resulting in his immediate death.
