Mahatma Gandhi (Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi) was the most prominent leader of India’s freedom struggle and a great social reformer. He was born on 2 October 1869 in Porbandar, Gujarat. Gandhiji fought for the independence of India based on the principles of truth and non-violence, which later came to be known as “Satyagraha”.
Major contributions of Mahatma Gandhi
- freedom struggle: Gandhiji led the Indian independence movement and organized important activities against British rule such as Satyagraha, Non-Cooperation Movement, and Quit India Movement.
- truth and nonviolence: He believed that major changes were possible only through truth and non-violence rather than violence. He followed these principles throughout his life.
- Salt Satyagraha (Dandi March): In 1930, Gandhiji led the Dandi March against the British salt laws, in which he traveled 240 miles to make salt and challenge the British law.
- Harijan Movement: Gandhiji worked against the caste system and especially made efforts for the upliftment of Dalits (whom he called ‘Harijan’).
- rural swaraj:His dream was of a society where all villages were self-reliant and everyone got equal opportunities through decentralization.
Gandhiji’s death
On 30 January 1948, Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated. He was shot by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu fundamentalist.
Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy is still inspiring and his life is a great example of truth, non-violence, and humanity.
A period of despair after Mahatma Gandhi’s barristership
After studying barrister, there came a period of disappointment in Mahatma Gandhi’s life, which he made a time of introspection and reconstruction.
barrister studies
Gandhiji went to England in 1888 to study law and returned to India in 1891 after becoming a barrister. After returning to India, he started practicing law in Mumbai, but he was not successful. After this he tried to practice law in Rajkot, but did not get much work there either. Gandhiji has called this period the disappointing period of his life.
reason for disappointment
- professional failure: Even after studying barrister, he did not get much success in advocacy in the beginning.
- self-struggle: At this time Gandhiji was worried about his identity and future. He did not want to compromise on the principles of ethics and truth in law, but this was quite challenging in the judicial system of that time.
period of reconstruction
After this disappointment, in 1893, Gandhiji got an opportunity to go to South Africa in connection with a case. From here his life takes a new turn. While living in South Africa, Gandhiji faced racial discrimination and injustice, which inspired him towards social and political activism. It was from here that his principles of Satyagraha and non-violence developed.
This period was a time of introspection and reconstruction in Gandhiji’s life, which later proved to be the foundation of his becoming a great leader.
That letter came from Mahatma Gandhi Africa
Mahatma Gandhi received many important letters in South Africa, but one letter in particular gave a new direction to his life. He received this letter after his experiences of facing racial discrimination of the British Empire in South Africa. Through this letter they realized that there was a need for a peaceful and non-violent movement to protect their rights and fight against injustice.
In South Africa, Gandhiji received a letter from an Indian businessman, in which he was informed about the atrocities being committed against the Indian community there. In this letter he was requested to provide legal assistance and protect the rights of Indians in South Africa. This letter inspired Gandhiji to go on an important mission, from which his theory of Satyagraha emerged.
This event was a turning point in Gandhiji’s life, which not only made him active in the struggle in South Africa, but also ensured his contribution to India’s freedom struggle.
Why did Mahatma Gandhi stop eating salt forever?
Mahatma Gandhi had given up the consumption of salt forever because salt was not just a food item for him, but had become a symbol of the economic and political oppression of the British rule.
Background of Salt Satyagraha
in 1930 British Government Had imposed heavy tax on salt in India. Salt was a basic need of every person, and taxing it meant placing an economic burden on the poor. Gandhiji considered it unjust and raised his voice against it. They dandi march Started what was a 240 mile journey from Ahmedabad to Dandi on 12 March 1930. At the end of this journey, Gandhiji reached the beach and made salt from sea water, violating the salt law.
give up salt
Gandhiji personally gave up eating salt after this struggle. it by them self-control And Discipline Was a symbol of. He implemented this in his life that self-purification and personal penance can be a part of larger political movements. Giving up salt was a form of non-violent protest, which was linked to the moral ideals in his life.
Thus, Gandhiji’s giving up salt shows his deep commitment to his principles and ideals.
