Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, whom we fondly call ‘Bapu’, was the man who shook the foundations of a vast empire without lifting arms. The power of his ideas was so strong that the flame of freedom was lit in the hearts of crores of Indians. His every step was not only political, but was full of spiritual and moral values.
The life of Mahatma Gandhi teaches us that an ordinary person, if he sticks to his principles, can bring about extraordinary change. His entire life is like an open book – reflecting love, sacrifice, struggle, and immense respect for humanity.
Today when we understand his life through Mahatma Gandhi Biography, we not only go deep into his movements and thoughts, but also get acquainted with a personality who still remains the foundation of our society, politics, education and moral values.
Let us understand the various aspects of his life in detail, and know how a ‘Monoch’ person became a ‘Mahatma’.
Early life and education
Mahatma Gandhi was born on 2 October 1869 in Porbandar city of Gujarat. This time was historically very important for India. Gandhi ji was born about 12 years after the revolution of 1857, which is called the first freedom struggle of India.
What was the revolution of 1857 and what was its effect on India – read here
After 1857, there was anger against the British in the minds of Indians, but it could not take an organized form. Gradually that feeling started to fade. At such a time, Mahatma Gandhi was born – a personality who later again threw the country into the fire of the freedom movement. In this part of Mahatma Gandhi Biography In Hindi, we understand the aspects related to his childhood and education.
His father Karamchand Gandhi was the Diwan in Rajkot state – a disciplined, just and dutiful person. Mother Putlibai was a woman with religious views, whose influence remained in Gandhiji’s life throughout his life.
Gandhi ji was married to Kasturba Gandhi at the age of just 13. This marriage reflects the social system of that time where it was normal to get married in adolescence.
Gandhi ji received his early education in Rajkot. He was an ordinary but disciplined student. He later went to London and studied law. While living in England, he not only learned law but also deeply observed the western thinking, lifestyle, and moral values there. This was the period when a new perspective developed within him – in which truth, self-control and self-confidence were prominent.
This education and experience later became a turning point in Mahatma Gandhi Biography. The balance he learned between the modernity of England and the traditions of India later became the foundation of his movements.
South Africa and the beginning of Satyagraha
Mahatma Gandhi’s first political struggle began on South African soil — an experience that not only made him a leader but also inspired him to become the Father of India.
When Gandhi returned to India after completing his studies in England, he did not find many opportunities to practice law here. Then he was sent to South Africa to assist in a case. ‘Bilaat’ meant foreign in the language of those times, and that trip gave a new turn to his life.
During a visit to South Africa in 1893, Gandhi first encountered racial discrimination and colonial injustice. He was thrown out of a train at Pietermaritzburg railway station simply because he was a black Indian and was travelling in first class. This experience shook him to his core.
Though initially he focused only on his case, but gradually when he saw the injustice done to the Indians there, he could not remain silent.
There was a deep social divide between black and white people in South Africa, and Indians were also considered third-class citizens. Gandhiji raised his voice against this injustice and founded the Natal Indian Congress in 1894, which became the center of the fight for the rights of the Indians settled there.
This was the place where the word and idea of ‘Satyagraha’ was born – Satya + Aagrah, that is, non-violent insistence for truth. Mahatma Gandhi started his first peaceful movement from here. He rejected passive resistance and presented the principle of Satyagraha – which was an active, moral and spiritual protest.
First prison experience – 1908
Gandhiji’s first prison experience also happened here. In 1908, when he protested against the new Registration Act imposed on Indians by the South African government, he was put in jail.
But this prison could not break his resolve – rather it strengthened it further.
His movements in South Africa had such an impact that the administration there had to change many policies. He also learned that if a fight is fought with collective unity, dialogue, and non-violence, then its effect is capable of bending the government.
This entire experience became the foundation of Mahatma Gandhi’s political and social life. Even before returning to India, he had become an enlightened thinker, experienced leader and strategic pacifist – a glimpse of which we get to see in every phase of Mahatma Gandhi Biography.
🕊️ “In a gentle way, you can shake the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi
Return to India and contribute in freedom struggle
Mahatma Gandhi Biography will be considered incomplete unless we talk about his return to his homeland and his historic contribution to the Indian freedom struggle.
When Gandhiji returned to India from South Africa on 9 January 1915, he had become not just a lawyer but a mature political leader and social reformer. His experiments with truth and non-violence in South Africa were being discussed all over India. He had now become a national icon.
After coming to India, Gandhiji first started traveling across the country to understand the situation of the country and know the ground reality. He saw to what extent the exploitation of the British had taken root and how the Indian people were suffering oppression.
The Revolution of 1857 and the arrival of Gandhiji
It is also worth noting that Gandhiji was born on 2 October 1869 – that is, almost a decade after the first freedom struggle of 1857.
The revolution of 1857, which is considered as the ‘first war of independence of India’, laid the foundation of a mass movement against the British, but after its brutal suppression, an atmosphere of fear and inaction spread in India. The courage of the people to stand united against the British rule seemed to have become silent.
But when Mahatma Gandhi set foot on the soil of India, he brought a new ray of hope. His thoughts, principles and personality again instilled courage and self-confidence in the people.
Gopal Krishna Gokhale – Gandhiji’s political guru: After returning to India, Gandhiji sought the guidance of Gopal Krishna Gokhale before setting himself on the political path. He considered Gokhale as his political guru and gained a deep understanding from him about the structure of Indian politics, society and British rule.
1. Non-cooperation Movement (1920)
This movement was started in protest against the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the Rowlatt Act. Gandhiji appealed to the people not to cooperate with the British rule—boycott schools, colleges, government jobs, foreign clothes—everything.
This movement became so influential that the British government was shaken, but Gandhiji immediately stopped it after the Chauri-Chaura incident.
2. Civil Disobedience Movement (1929–30)
This movement was the next big step after the Non-Cooperation Movement. In this, Gandhiji called for not following the unjust laws made by the British.
Under this, he broke the salt law and did the historic Dandi March, where he walked 240 miles to the seashore and made salt.
3. Salt Satyagraha (1930)
This was a part of the Civil Disobedience Movement but was so important in itself that it was recorded separately in history. Taxing basic things like salt was not acceptable to Gandhiji.
He said:
“Tax on salt is the biggest injustice to the poor.”
4. Quit India Movement (1942)
This movement started in 1942 with the slogan ‘Do or Die.’ Gandhiji said in clear words that now the British will have to leave India.
This movement turned into a nationwide rebellion, and even though it was suppressed by calling it violent, it gave a clear message to the British rule that now India needs freedom—and that too immediately.
5. Harijan Uddhar Andolan
Gandhiji fought not only for political freedom but also for social equality. He called the untouchables ‘Harijans,’ i.e., people of God, and founded the Harijan Sevak Sangh to protect their rights. He believed that if untouchability remains in society, then freedom will be incomplete.
In all these movements, Gandhiji had only one guiding principle—non-violence and truth. He used these two weapons against the British Empire, and eventually, Mahatma Gandhi Biography became the world’s largest colonial power, forcing the British to leave India.
Sabarmati Ashram and principles
A special chapter in Mahatma Gandhi Biography) Mahatma Gandhi’s life was not limited to movement and struggle, but he lived a principle-based life, which he also inspired the society to adopt. With this purpose, he established Sabarmati Ashram on the banks of Sabarmati River in 1917.
When and why was Sabarmati Ashram established?
In 1917, when Gandhiji felt the need to organise his social and political work in India, he chose a place on the banks of Sabarmati River in Ahmedabad (Gujarat) and laid the foundation of an ashram there. The name Sabarmati was automatically given to it later because it was an ashram built on the Sabarmati place, hence it was named Sabarmati Ashram.
Earlier he used to live in Kocharab Bungalow, but he needed a bigger and peaceful place for social work, Charkha movement, education, untouchability eradication, and village service.
Gandhiji called Sabarmati Ashram the “centre of truth and service”.
Objectives of Sabarmati Ashram
Gandhiji believed that any big social change begins with self-transformation. That is why he made Sabarmati Ashram not just a place of residence, but a spiritual and moral laboratory.
The environment here was very simple, disciplined and ascetic.
Every person here had to live according to the rules.
6 main rules of the Ashram (Principles of Sabarmati Ashram)
- Truth – speaking the truth in every moment of life and following the truth
2. Non-violence – not doing violence under any circumstances
- Celibacy – restrained life and self-control
- Non-stealing – not accepting any thing unauthorizedly
- Swadeshi – use of only indigenous goods and boycott of foreign clothes
- Physical labor and spinning wheel – spinning yarn daily to become self-reliant
➡️ Gandhiji had a clear opinion: A person who does not follow these principles cannot live in the Ashram.”
Ashram life and routine
If the daily routine of the ashram is not written, then it is a big injustice to Mahatma Gandhi biography because everyone needs to know what such a great public leader did for this and what was the daily routine of the place he built to live alone
Life in the Ashram was very simple and vegetarian. Food: Unspiced, satvik food — which keeps the body and mind calm.
All the work — like sweeping, washing utensils, serving cows, working in the fields—was done by the ashram residents themselves.
Spinning the spinning wheel and spinning yarn was compulsory, so that everyone could become self-reliant.
Waking up on time, attending prayer meetings and leading a disciplined life were part of the ashram.
Major decisions taken from Sabarmati Ashram
Many historical movements were strategised and started from Sabarmati Ashram.
Non-cooperation movement of 1920
Salt Satyagraha of 1930 (Dandi March) — which started from here on 12 March 1930
The policy of the anti-untouchability movement was made from here
Decisions like participation of women, charkha abhiyaan, and village service were also taken from here
Which prominent people visited Sabarmati Ashram?
Sabarmati Ashram not only became a centre of national consciousness, but great people from India and abroad used to come here for darshan: Pandit Nehru, Sardar Patel, Vinoba Bhave, Rajendra Prasad, Kasturba Gandhi
Foreign guests included Charlie Chaplin, Lord Irwin, and scholars from America and Europe. British officials also came here to know Gandhiji’s thoughts
Today’s importance of Sabarmati Ashram
Even today, Sabarmati Ashram is a historical and inspirational pilgrimage of India. Thousands of people come here to visit every day. This place not only bears testimony to history, but even today teaches people the lessons of truth, non-violence, simplicity and self-reliance.
Thoughts and Philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi
His biggest contribution in Mahatma Gandhi Biography is his thoughts. Our father used to say that a person will become what he thinks. Here the thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi are very important because without the thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi Biography is absolutely incomplete. The main features of Mahatma Gandhi’s thoughts are as follows:
Truth and non-violence: Gandhiji believed that truth is God.
Swaraj and Swadeshi: He promoted self-reliance and the use of indigenous products.
Celibacy and restraint: This was the source of his self-confidence and moral strength.
Sarvadharma Sambhaav: He respected all religions equally.
Some unheard facts about Gandhiji
When Mahatma Gandhi Biography is discussed, some unheard aspects come to the fore which make him even more special: And the truth is that most people leave out the unheard facts of Gandhiji. But here in Worldwide History, we are writing Mahatma Gandhi Biography. So we want that no fact or aspect of it should be left out – so that people get the right information, and that is why we are writing some unheard facts of Gandhiji here.
1, Gandhi ji was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize 6 times but he did not get it even once. This is a big fact of Gandhiji’s life, even a great personality like Gandhiji did not get the Nobel Prize even once.
2, He also did Red Cross Volunteering for the British Army.
3, He was a staunch opponent of films and considered them a waste of time. We think you people must have heard this fact for the first time.
4, He had made a daily routine of his food himself, which included only simple, pure and satvik food. This is not a big fact, but we have included it because people know about it.
5. Gandhi ji organized many creative programs to convey his thoughts to children and women.
Death and legacy:
(The last and most touching chapter of Gandhi Ji’s life introduction and Gandhi Ji’s history) Mahatma Gandhi, whom the whole world knows as “Bapu” and “Father of the Nation”, not only played an important role in getting freedom for India, but he also showed the whole world the path of truth, non-violence and love. His life became a living model. But the end of this ideal life was very painful.
When I read the end of Gandhi Ji, my eyes really became moist – that such a great personality, such a great human being, such a great thinking would also end like this. I had never seen it or read it anywhere. Even while writing Mahatma Gandhi Biography, my hands are not working properly, even if you feel anything like this, but this is the reality
Gandhi Ji’s assassination – a national mourning
Gandhi Ji was bound by his rules. What he used to tell others, he himself used to do. That is why today we are writing his history. On 30 January 1948, when Gandhiji was going to the evening prayer meeting at Birla Bhawan (Delhi) like every day, a fanatic youth Nathuram Godse fired three bullets at him. Due to which Gandhiji died. India had not even completed a year of independence yet. This is also a fact. So you can imagine how much fanaticism was filled in the hearts of some people against Gandhiji.
The last words that came out of Gandhiji’s mouth were:
“Hey Ram!”
His assassination plunged not only India, but the whole world into deep grief and pain. Millions of people flocked to see him for the last time. An atmosphere of grief and silence prevailed across the country.
Effect of Gandhiji’s death
After his departure, communal tension increased further in India, but his principles tried to bring people on the path of peace and unity.
His death gave the message to the whole world that even a person who walks on the path of non-violence can become a victim of violence, but one thing is for sure, people can kill such a person, but his ideology remains immortal.
Gandhi Ji’s legacy – an eternal inspiration
Gandhi Ji’s life story and Gandhi Ji’s history are proof of the fact that his life was simple, truthful and purposeful. But when it comes to Mahatma Gandhi’s biography, it is important to write about his ideology as well as his legacy, otherwise it would be injustice to Gandhi Ji. If we do not do this, you will also not get complete information.
His greatest legacy was:
- Non-violence – Many revolutionaries of the world drew inspiration from it
- Truth – Gandhiji’s main weapon
- Civil Disobedience – This movement remains the strength of democracy even today
- Swaraj (Self-rule) – The dream of a self-reliant India
- Education and social reform – eradicating untouchability, giving rights to women, rural development
Gandhi’s impact on the world
Now it is not that after the demise of a great personality like Gandhiji, there is no one left to follow his ideology. In fact, Mahatma Gandhi’s principles and his path of non-violence and truth not only gave direction to India, but also inspired the whole world.
Gandhiji’s thinking and lifestyle had a profound impact on societies and movements in South Africa, America, Europe, and Asia. Inspired by him, many global leaders and thinkers chose the path of social change – that too without violence, only on the strength of moral courage and public awareness.
Martin Luther King Jr. adopted Gandhiji’s policy of non-violence in his movement against racial discrimination in America.
Nelson Mandela made Gandhiji’s principles his strength while fighting a long battle against apartheid in South Africa.
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, India’s missile man and former President, was influenced throughout his life by Gandhiji’s self-discipline and simplicity.
Barack Obama, former President of America, described Gandhiji as the “hero of his time” and learned from him that real strength lies in compassion and truth.
Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet, also considers Gandhiji as his ideal and follows his path of non-violence.
Though Gandhiji is not physically present among us today, his thoughts and principles are still alive – in the thoughts of the people, in movements and in every voice of justice that rises without violence.
Gandhi Smriti and Museum
Many memorials and museums have been built across the country in memory of Gandhiji:
Rajghat, Delhi – his samadhi sthal
Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad
Gandhi Smriti, Delhi – where he was assassinated
Sevagram Ashram, Wardha (Maharashtra)
Thousands of people visit these places every year to seek inspiration from him.
Gandhiji in Education
Today, “Gandhi Ji Ka Itihaas”, “Gandhi Ji Ka Jeevan Parichay” and Mahatma Gandhi Biography are taught compulsorily in the education curriculum of India. From school books to higher education, events related to Gandhi’s life, his principles, his inspirational speeches, and struggles have been covered in detail.
Mahatma Gandhi Biography not only gives historical knowledge to the students, but also gives them deep learning of moral values, truth, non-violence, and service-spirit. His life experiences give children and youth an opportunity to understand how leadership, patience, and self-confidence can stand against any injustice – that too without violence.
Gandhi’s influence in the field of education is still alive today. His ideas are not limited to teaching only, but they are presented as inspiration to adopt in life. This is the reason why Mahatma Gandhi Biography is taught today as a source of inspiration not only in India, but in many educational institutions around the world.
Final Thoughts Mahatma Gandhi Biography
Mahatma Gandhi’s death may have been a physical end, but his ideology, principles, and spiritual power are still alive in the hearts of crores of Indians. He proved that freedom can be achieved not only by sword and bloodshed, but also by truth, non-violence, self-confidence and moral strength.
“He may die, but his soul will not die.” – This is 100% true for Mahatma Gandhi.
His ideas still guide India’s politics, society, education and worldview. He was, is and will remain a hero not only of India but of the entire humanity.
📚 Conclusion Mahatma Gandhi Biography
Mahatma Gandhi’s life is not just a history, but a living philosophy that is as relevant today as it was during the freedom struggle.
Mahatma Gandhi Biography is not just a description of the events of his life, but it is a reflection of an ideal lifestyle, moral leadership, and public service.
His life is inspirational for every person who wants to realize his dreams with truth, restraint, and sensitivity. He proved that when the resolve is pure, even the greatest powers of the world can bow down.
✍ Author: Nasir Hussain
🌐 Website: World Wide History
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