Gandhian Study - III

Mahatma Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, Gujarat. This is a well-documented historical fact and fundamental knowledge about Gandhi's life for Indian history students.

Gandhiji was born in Porbandar, a coastal city in present-day Gujarat state. His father, Karamchand Gandhi, was the diwan (chief minister) of Porbandar state at the time of his birth.

Gandhiji took the vow of brahmacharya (celibacy) in 1906 when he was 37 years old. This was a deeply personal decision he made after consulting with his wife Kasturbai and was part of his spiritual evolution toward self-discipline and simpler living.

Plea for Vegetarianism by Henry Salt greatly influenced Gandhiji during his time in England. He had already promised his mother not to eat meat, and this book reinforced his commitment to vegetarianism while introducing him to ethical and philosophical arguments supporting it.

Gandhiji was married to Kasturbai Makhanji Kapadia in 1883 when he was 13 years old, following the custom of child marriage prevalent in 19th century India. Kasturbai was 14 at the time of their arranged marriage.

Gandhiji was called to the bar (became a qualified lawyer) in 1891 after completing his legal studies in London. He enrolled at the Inner Temple and studied law there from 1888 to 1891, though he returned to India shortly after being called to the bar.

Before leaving for England in 1888, Gandhiji took several vows at his mother's insistence, including not to touch alcohol, not to eat meat (which he had already vowed), and not to pursue women (faithfulness to his wife). These were serious promises that guided his behavior throughout his stay in England.

The historic Dandi March (Salt Satyagraha) took place in 1930 from March 12 to April 6. Gandhi led this 240-mile march to the Arabian Sea coast to protest the British salt tax, marking a pivotal moment in India's independence movement and civil disobedience campaign.

Mahadev Desai served as Mahatma Gandhi's personal secretary from 1917 until his death in 1942. He was Gandhi's closest associate and confidant, maintaining his diaries and correspondence, and accompanied Gandhi during crucial events including the Salt March and various Round Table Conferences.

Gandhiji was 19 years old when he arrived in London in 1888 to study law. He was born in 1869, making him approximately 19 years and 3 months old at the time of his departure for England in September 1888.

Gandhiji wrote a confession letter to his father admitting to stealing money to buy cigarettes when he was around 15-16 years old. His father, Karamchand Gandhi, read the letter, tore it up without any punishment, and Gandhi was deeply moved by this act of forgiveness, which he later recounted in his autobiography.

Henry Polak (H S Polak) gave Gandhi John Ruskin's 'Unto This Last' in South Africa, which deeply influenced Gandhiji's economic and social philosophy, particularly his ideas on sarvodaya (welfare of all) and equitable distribution. The book's emphasis on the dignity of labor and social justice resonated strongly with Gandhi's evolving views.

Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated by Nathuram Vinayak Godse, a Hindu extremist and former member of the Hindu Mahasabha, who opposed Gandhi's secular approach and perceived appeasement of Muslims, particularly his stance on the partition of India and payment to Pakistan.

Gandhiji joined the Inner Temple on November 6, 1888, after completing his admission requirements to become a barrister. The Inns of Court (Inner Temple, Middle Temple, Lincoln's Inn, and Gray's Inn) were mandatory for legal education in England, and Gandhi chose Inner Temple where he studied law from 1888 to 1891.

The Quit India Movement was launched by Mahatma Gandhi on August 8, 1942, during the All-India Congress Committee session in Bombay, demanding an end to British rule. The movement marked a decisive phase in India's freedom struggle with the slogan 'Do or Die' and saw mass participation despite brutal British suppression.

During his stay in England (1888-1891), Gandhiji joined the Vegetarian Society in London, where he actively participated in debates and even served on the executive committee. This period was crucial in shaping his views on diet, ethics, and compassionate living, which later influenced his philosophy of nonviolence extending to all living beings.

Mahatma Gandhi died on January 30, 1948, at the age of 78. He was assassinated by Nathuram Godse at Birla House (now Gandhi Smriti) in New Delhi while on his way to a prayer meeting. His death shocked the nation and the world, coming just months after India's hard-won independence.

India gained independence from British rule on August 15, 1947, marking the end of nearly 200 years of colonial rule. Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of India, oversaw the transfer of power, and Jawaharlal Nehru delivered his famous 'Tryst with Destiny' speech heralding the birth of a free nation.

Gandhiji adopted his signature attire of a simple loin cloth (dhoti) and shawl in 1921, symbolizing his identification with the poorest of India and rejection of foreign-made goods. This transformation occurred during the Non-Cooperation Movement, embodying his philosophy of simplicity and self-reliance (swadeshi) while promoting khadi as part of the freedom struggle.

Gandhi employed fasting as a powerful method of nonviolent protest and moral persuasion throughout his life, undertaking 17 fasts for various causes including social harmony, religious unity, and political justice. His fasts exerted tremendous moral pressure, successfully stopping communal riots in Calcutta and Delhi, and forcing authorities to address injustices.

The Phoenix Settlement was founded by Gandhiji near Durban in 1904 as a communal living experiment inspired by Ruskin's 'Unto This Last'. It housed his family and like-minded individuals working towards self-sufficiency, simple living, and service. The settlement featured a printing press for Indian Opinion and became a model for his later ashram at Sabarmati.

January 30, 1948 was a Friday, the fateful day when Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated by Nathuram Godse at Birla House, New Delhi. Gandhi was on his way to the evening prayer meeting when he was shot at point-blank range shortly after 5 p.m., sending shockwaves across the nation and world.

Devdas Gandhi (1900-1957) was the youngest of Mahatma and Kasturba Gandhi's four sons, following Harilal, Manilal, and Ramdas. Like his father, Devdas became a journalist and editor, serving as the editor of the Hindustan Times and later founder-editor of the National Herald, continuing the family legacy in journalism and public service.

Gandhi regularly employed fasting as a non-violent protest method against policies and actions he opposed. This was one of his signature satyagraha techniques, used to pressure authorities and mobilize public opinion without violence.