Life and Thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, Kathiawar, India, which in that time was part of British Empire. Gandhi was unfortunately killed by a fanatic in 1948. His father and mother were Karamchand Gandhi, a chief minister and Putlibai Gandhi, a deeply religious woman who fasted regularly. Gandhi studied law and advocated for the civil rights of Indians. Gandhi became a leader of India’s Independence movement.

The use of only non-violent methods in the pursuit of justice is not as simple as it sounds. Gandhi's basic challenge, first of all was to himself, to exercise strong self-discipline. He did it in many ways. He dressed very simply, and shaved his head. He did not attend any concerts or the theatre. Each week for one whole day he would refrain from speaking. He also did physical work a couple of hours every day. His more serious challenges began when he was set to work in South Africa, where he was discriminated against for being an Indian immigrant. For example, Gandhi was on a trip where he was seated in the first-class compartment, as he had purchased a first-class ticket. According to Bisht (2010): A White person who entered the compartment was upset that Gandhi was in first-class and immediately summoned the White railway officials. They ordered Gandhi to remove himself and go to the van compartment, since 'coolies' (a racist term for Indians) and non-whites were not permitted in first-class compartments. Gandhi protested and produced his ticket, but was warned that he would be forcibly removed if he did not make a gracious exit. As Gandhi refused to comply with the order, a White police officer pushed him out of the train, and his luggage was tossed out onto the platform. During his train journey he had to endure beatings and mistreatment from whites for his refusal to comply with their unfair orders (Mahatma Gandhi's Freedom Struggle and the Railways). He overcame racism by not letting it break him or his drive, but more obstacles were to appear in his

Niloufer Bhagwat’s “The Political Relevance and Global Impact of Mahatma Gandhi” conveys her stance on Gandhi’s influence on how different groups of people combated forms of oppression. Bhagwat says “wherever the political, economic, social, and ecological future of humanity and… earth is debated and discussed, Gandhiji with his simple precepts provides a guidance for all generations” (Bhagwat 33). I believe that her argument successfully convinces the reader that the principles Gandhi followed and the strategies he used, non-violent civil disobedience and non-cooperation, not Gandhi himself, left a lasting impact on the world.

Furthermore, Gandhi spent years in London as a student of law, where he further explored vegetarianism and began his “intellectual awakening, his moral maturation and the opening of his mind to spiritual questions” (34) and concerned himself with politics. Gandhi then went on to South Africa from 1893 to 1914 where many Indians were residing. Arnold recounts his various anti-racism strategies, and reveals how Gandhi acquired his title as the mahatma or “great soul”. South Africa is also where he began his non-violent methods of dealing with racial discrimination laws and Hind Swaraj, which is “Indian self rule”, against the British. He fought for the rights of Indians in Africa, especially against General Smuts’ plans “of stopping their immigration to South Africa”(60) using satyagraha, “truth force or struggle for truth”, campaigns. But these campaigns did not work to the full degree, as there was still “anti-Indian prejudice” (60).

(14th May, 2011). Indians in South Africa wage Satyagraha for their rights, 1906-1914 | Global Nonviolent Action Database. [online] Available at: http://nvdatabase.swarthmore.edu/content/indians-south-africa-wage-satyagraha-their-rights-1906-1914 [Accessed 19 Aug. 2016]. Source Six Annotation: Source six talks about Indians in South Africa between1890-1914.

Mohandas K. Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, India. Gandhi’s mother, Putlibai Gandhi, was illiterate, but her intelligence and religious devotion had a great impact on Gandhi’s character. Gandhi’s father, Karamchand Gandhi, was the chief of the

Before all of his, Gandhi was born on October 2nd 1869, in Porbandar, Kathiawar, India which was at the time apart of the British empire. He had what seemed to be a short childhood, marrying at thirteen years old in an arranged marriage with Kasturba Makanji. This soon caused his early rebel-teen years which was, “smoking, eating meat, and stealing change from household servants.” (Biography.com Editors 1). He had little interest in school, but kept average grades due to his father’s expectations in his academics. He went on to study western culture in London, England for three years and struggled through his studies. While staying there he started reading a variety of sacred texts about different religions, learning about the different cultures and beliefs of the world. Although he had a hard and difficult early life, he still came through to only break through bigger barriers in his future.

Mohandas Gandhi, later called Mahatma Gandhi, was born on October 2,1869 in Porbandar, which is the present day state of Gujarat, India (Andrews

Mahatma Gandhi, was born October 2nd, 1869 to a wealthy Indian family in Porbandar, Gujarat India. His father, Karamchand Gandhi, was a well-respected man that held the political position of, Chief Minister of Porbandar. Mahtma’s mother, Putlibai Gandhi, was a kind woman and devote Jainist. Her gentle nature provided Mahatma with a compassionate upbringing that instilled a non-violent, mutual tolerance attitude. She stressed vegetarianism and was also known for fasting for days, almost to the point of starvation. His parents were also very traditional in the sense that they had an arranged marriage for him to Kasturba Makhanji when he was just 13.

During Gandhi’s trip to South Africa, he faced discrimination and debasement of which he was unused to. He was thrown off of the train on his journey as he would not comply with the order for him to leave first class. Furthermore, hotels would not allow his entry due to the colour of his skin. He was suddenly more aware of the plight and the status of his race in the eyes of the British colonists. In his interactions with the locals and other scholars and reformers, he began to understand his own beliefs of independence and non-violent protestation through non-conformity. Also, as he gained adherents, he learned of his abilities in leadership and his charismatic personality. Without these interactions, Gandhi wouldn’t have understood and developed such strong beliefs as he

Long ago on October 2nd 1869 Gandhi was born. He grew up in Porbandar India. Gandhi decided in 1888 to marry Kasturda Gandhi. Soon after he set away to London to study the figure of law. He got offered an office in South Africa, and stayed for 20 years. He went into law because he believed in non violence

Gandhi, a peaceful protester in the early twentieth century, was protesting the unethical governing of India by the British, similar to the natives of the Congo who were controlled by the Belgians; the singular difference being Gandhi was educated enough to revolt, unlike the Congolese. Gandhi also put the needs of others before his own, congeneric to Paul Farmer. His eventual assassination mirrors Kurtz’s death, not in the manner of how it happened, but rather what they died for. Both died for their passion; Kurtz’s being wealth and power and Gandhi’s being peace and equality. These two books aided the realization of why Gandhi did what he did- passion. The passion needed to fast for twenty-one days, own less than ten things, endure level headed when aggressively attacked, and to go to jail a multitude of times for nonviolent protests must be immense. The actions of Farmer and Kurtz exhibit that passion will drive a person to perform seemingly irrational things; whether it is becoming the god of native savages or pouring millions of dollars into a war-torn, disease-ridden country passion is the driving

Before leading the salt march in India and becoming one of the most well known Indian civil rights activists, Gandhi studied law in London and left for twenty years to pursue being a lawyer in South Africa. While there, Gandhi experienced racism because Indians were looked down upon in South Africa. Once becoming involved in the law, he began to involve himself in helping to reduce racial injustices and became the largest advocate in South Africa for Indian rights. Gandhi’s experiences in South Africa prepared him for and allowed him to become the political influence he was for his people when he returned to India.

In South Africa, he involved himself in an attempt to end discrimination against the minority Indians residing there. During this course, he developed “satyagarha”, which translates into “soul force”, or an approach of non-violence resistance, against the British governments in South Africa. In the years following the World War I, Gandhi became a leading figure in India for his struggle to achieve independent from the mighty British rule. His willingness to tolerate the punishments and the prison confinement earned him the title of “ Mahatama”, a “great soul” in India in 1914. (Mohandas Gandhi, 2015)

The researcher understood the specific theme chosen and was a bit au-fait with the topic, because she had a keen interest in Gandhi and all his work. In an age where violence is on the increase Gandhi’s message of non-violence is needed. It is the researchers hope that this IA will reach a wide cross section of people and will effect a change. Gandhi’s views on issues like untouchability are deeply dealt with. Never anywhere Gandhi’s views about untouchability were effectively heard. But, in this book they were dealt in detail with lots of arguments and convincing proofs of why untouchability is sin. Even his co-living with the untouchables and the resistance he faced for that is discussed. His views on religion, nationality, his movements like civil-disobedience, are also clearly shown. Even his opinions on many religions were discussed in deep; a striking