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Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi (October 2, 1869 – January 30, 1948) was an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist, and political theorist who employed nonviolent resistance to lead the successful campaign for India's independence from British rule. He inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. The honorific title "Mahatma" (from Sanskrit meaning "great soul" or "venerable") was first applied to him in 1914 in South Africa and is now used worldwide.

Mahatma Gandhi - Biography

Early Life

Born and raised in a Hindu family in coastal Gujarat, Gandhi studied law at the Inner Temple in London and was called to the bar in June 1891 at the age of 22. After spending two uncertain years in India, where he struggled to establish a successful law practice, Gandhi moved to South Africa in 1893 to represent an Indian merchant in a case.

Life in South Africa

He lived in South Africa for 21 years, where he built a family and initially developed a campaign for civil rights through nonviolent resistance. In 1915, at the age of 45, he returned to India and soon began organizing farmers, laborers, and urban workers to protest against discrimination and excessive land taxes.

Leadership in India

In 1921, after taking leadership of the Indian National Congress, Gandhi led nationwide campaigns for the eradication of poverty, the expansion of women's rights, the promotion of religious and ethnic harmony, the abolition of untouchability, and above all, the achievement of swaraj or self-governance.

Salt March and Independence Movement

Bringing anti-colonial nationalism to the common Indian, Gandhi led the Dandi Salt March in 1930 to challenge the British-imposed salt tax over a distance of 400 km (250 miles) and called for the British to leave India in 1942, leading many to imprisonment over the years in both South Africa and India.

Challenges and Partition

Gandhi's vision for an independent India based on religious pluralism was challenged in the early 1940s by a Muslim nationalism that demanded a separate homeland for Muslims within British India. In August 1947, Britain granted independence, but British India was divided into two dominions: a Hindu-majority India and a Muslim-majority Pakistan.

Assassination

Gandhi was strongly committed to the defense of both Pakistan and Indian Muslims, which led to a backlash among some Hindus. On January 30, 1948, Gandhi was shot three times at an interfaith prayer meeting in Delhi by Nathuram Godse, a militant Hindu nationalist.

Legacy

Gandhi's birthday, October 2, is commemorated in India as Gandhi Jayanti, a national holiday, and is celebrated globally as International Day of Non-Violence. In post-colonial India, Gandhi is regarded as the Father of the Nation.

Mahatma Gandhi Early life and background

Parents

Gandhi's father, Karamchand Uttamchand Gandhi (1822–1885), served as the dewan (chief minister) of Porbandar state. His family originated from the then village of Kutiana in what was then Junagadh State. Although Karamchand only had been a clerk in the state administration and had an elementary education, he proved a capable chief minister.

During his tenure, Karamchand married four times. His first two wives died young, after each had given birth to a daughter, and his third marriage was childless. In 1857, Karamchand sought his third wife's permission to remarry; that year, he married Putlibai (1844–1891), who also came from Junagadh, and was from a Pranami Vaishnava family. Karamchand and Putlibai had four children: a son, Laxmidas ( 1860–1914) a daughter, Raliatbehn (1862–1960) a second son, Karsandas (1866–1913) and a third son, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi who was born on 2 October 1869 in Porbandar (also known as Sudamapuri), a coastal town on the Kathiawar Peninsula and then part of the small princely state of Porbandar in the Kathiawar Agency of the British Raj.

In 1874, Gandhi's father, Karamchand, left Porbandar for the smaller state of Rajkot, where he became a counsellor to its ruler, the Thakur Sahib; though Rajkot was a less prestigious state than Porbandar, the British regional political agency was located there, which gave the state's diwan a measure of security. In 1876, Karamchand became diwan of Rajkot and was succeeded as diwan of Porbandar by his brother Tulsidas. Karamchand's family then rejoined him in Rajkot. They moved to their family home Kaba Gandhi No Delo in 1881.

Childhood

As a child, Gandhi was described by his sister Raliat as "restless as mercury, either playing or roaming about. One of his favourite pastimes was twisting dogs' ears. The Indian classics, especially the stories of Shravana and king Harishchandra, had a great impact on Gandhi in his childhood. In his autobiography, Gandhi states that they left an indelible impression on his mind. Gandhi writes: "It haunted me and I must have acted Harishchandra to myself times without number." Gandhi's early self-identification with truth and love as supreme values is traceable to these epic characters.

The family's religious background was eclectic. Mohandas was born into a Gujarati Hindu Modh Bania family. Gandhi's father, Karamchand, was Hindu and his mother Putlibai was from a Pranami Vaishnava Hindu family. Gandhi's father was of Modh Baniya caste in the varna of Vaishya. His mother came from the medieval Krishna bhakti-based Pranami tradition, whose religious texts include the Bhagavad Gita, the Bhagavata Purana, and a collection of 14 texts with teachings that the tradition believes to include the essence of the Vedas, the Quran and the Bible. Gandhi was deeply influenced by his mother, an extremely pious lady who "would not think of taking her meals without her daily prayers... she would take the hardest vows and keep them without flinching. To keep two or three consecutive fasts was nothing.

At the age of nine, Gandhi entered the local school in Rajkot, near his home. There, he studied the rudiments of arithmetic, history, the Gujarati language and geography. At the age of 11, Gandhi joined the High School in Rajkot, Alfred High School. He was an average student, won some prizes, but was a shy and tongue-tied student, with no interest in games Gandhi's only companions were books and school lessons.

Marriage

In May 1883, the 13-year-old Mohandas Gandhi was married to 14-year-old Kasturbai Gokuldas Kapadia (her first name was usually shortened to "Kasturba", and affectionately to "Ba") in an arranged marriage, according to the custom of the region at that time. In the process, he lost a year at school but was later allowed to make up by accelerating his studies. Gandhi's wedding was a joint event, where his brother and cousin were also married. Recalling the day of their marriage, Gandhi once said, "As we didn't know much about marriage, for us it meant only wearing new clothes, eating sweets and playing with relatives." As was the prevailing tradition, the adolescent bride was to spend much time at her parents' house, and away from her husband.

Writing many years later, Mohandas described with regret the lustful feelings he felt for his young bride by saying, "Even at school I used to think of her, and the thought of nightfall and our subsequent meeting was ever haunting me." Gandhi later recalled feeling jealous and possessive of her, such as when Kasturba would visit a temple with her girlfriends and being sexually lustful in his feelings for her.

In late 1885, Gandhi's father, Karamchand, died. Later, Gandhi, then 16 years old, and his wife of age 17, had their first child, who survived only a few days. The two deaths anguished Gandhi. The Gandhi couple had four more children, all sons: Harilal, born in 1888; Manilal, born in 1892; Ramdas, born in 1897; and Devdas, born in 1900.

In November 1887, the 18-year-old Gandhi graduated from high school in Ahmedabad. In January 1888, he enrolled at Samaldas College in Bhavnagar State, then the sole degree-granting institution of higher education in the region. However, Gandhi dropped out, and returned to his family in Porbandar.

Mahatma Gandhi Three Years London

Student of Law

Gandhi had dropped out of the cheapest college he could afford in Bombay. Mavji Dave Joshiji, a Brahmin priest and family friend, advised Gandhi and his family that he should consider law studies in London. In July 1888, Gandhi's wife Kasturba gave birth to their first surviving child, Harilal. Gandhi's mother was not comfortable about Gandhi leaving his wife and family and going so far from home. Gandhi's uncle Tulsidas also tried to dissuade his nephew, but Gandhi wanted to go. To persuade his wife and mother, Gandhi made a vow in front of his mother that he would abstain from meat, alcohol, and women. Gandhi's brother, Laxmidas, who was already a lawyer, cheered Gandhi's London studies plan and offered to support him. Putlibai gave Gandhi her permission and blessing.

On 10 August 1888, Gandhi, aged 18, left Porbandar for Mumbai, then known as Bombay. Upon arrival, he stayed with the local Modh Bania community whose elders warned Gandhi that England would tempt him to compromise his religion, and eat and drink in Western ways. Despite Gandhi informing them of his promise to his mother and her blessings, Gandhi was excommunicated from his caste. Gandhi ignored this, and on 4 September, he sailed from Bombay to London, with his brother seeing him off. Gandhi attended University College, London, where he took classes in English literature with Henry Morley in 1888–1889.

Gandhi also enrolled at the Inns of Court School of Law in Inner Temple with the intention of becoming a barrister. His childhood shyness and self-withdrawal had continued through his teens. Gandhi retained these traits when he arrived in London, but joined a public speaking practice group and overcame his shyness sufficiently to practise law.

Gandhi demonstrated a keen interest in the welfare of London's impoverished dockland communities. In 1889, a bitter trade dispute broke out in London, with dockers striking for better pay and conditions, and seamen, shipbuilders, factory girls and others joining the strike in solidarity. The strikers were successful, in part due to the mediation of Cardinal Manning, leading Gandhi and an Indian friend to make a point of visiting the cardinal and thanking him for his work.

Vegetarianism and Committee Work

Gandhi's time in London was influenced by the vow he had made to his mother. Gandhi tried to adopt "English" customs, including taking dancing lessons. However, he did not appreciate the bland vegetarian food offered by his landlady and was frequently hungry until finding one of London's few vegetarian restaurants. Influenced by Henry Salt's writing, Gandhi joined the London Vegetarian Society and was elected to its executive committee under the aegis of its president and benefactor Arnold Hills. An achievement while on the committee was the establishment of a Bayswater chapter. Some of the vegetarians Gandhi met were members of the Theosophical Society, which had been founded in 1875 to further universal brotherhood, and which was devoted to the study of Buddhist and Hindu literature. They encouraged Gandhi to join them in reading the Bhagavad Gita both in translation as well as in the original.

Gandhi had a friendly and productive relationship with Hills, but the two men took a different view on the continued LVS membership of fellow committee member Thomas Allinson. Their disagreement is the first known example of Gandhi challenging authority, despite his shyness and temperamental disinclination towards confrontation.

Allinson had been promoting newly available birth control methods, but Hills disapproved of these, believing they undermined public morality. He believed vegetarianism to be a moral movement and that Allinson should therefore no longer remain a member of the LVS. Gandhi shared Hills' views on the dangers of birth control, but defended Allinson's right to differ. It would have been hard for Gandhi to challenge Hills; Hills was 12 years his senior and unlike Gandhi, highly eloquent. Hills bankrolled the LVS and was a captain of industry with his Thames Ironworks company employing more than 6,000 people in the East End of London. Hills was also a highly accomplished sportsman who later founded the football club West Ham United. In his 1927 An Autobiography, Vol. I, Gandhi wrote:

"The question deeply interested me... I had a high regard for Mr. Hills and his generosity. But I thought it was quite improper to exclude a man from a vegetarian society simply because he refused to regard puritan morals as one of the objects of the society".

A motion to remove Allinson was raised, and was debated and voted on by the committee. Gandhi's shyness was an obstacle to his defence of Allinson at the committee meeting. Gandhi wrote his views down on paper, but shyness prevented Gandhi from reading out his arguments, so Hills, the President, asked another committee member to read them out for him. Although some other members of the committee agreed with Gandhi, the vote was lost and Allinson was excluded. There were no hard feelings, with Hills proposing the toast at the LVS farewell dinner in honour of Gandhi's return to India.

Called to the Bar

Gandhi, at age 22, was called to the bar in June 1891 and then left London for India, where he learned that his mother had died while he was in London and that his family had kept the news from Gandhi. His attempts at establishing a law practice in Bombay failed because Gandhi was psychologically unable to cross-examine witnesses. He returned to Rajkot to make a modest living drafting petitions for litigants, but Gandhi was forced to stop after running afoul of British officer Sam Sunny.

In 1893, a Muslim merchant in Kathiawar named Dada Abdullah contacted Gandhi. Abdullah owned a large successful shipping business in South Africa. His distant cousin in Johannesburg needed a lawyer, and they preferred someone with Kathiawari heritage. Gandhi inquired about his pay for the work. They offered a total salary of £105 (~\$4,143 in 2023 money) plus travel expenses. He accepted it, knowing that it would be at least a one-year commitment in the Colony of Natal, South Africa, also a part of the British Empire.

Gandhi's Civil Rights Activism in South Africa (1893-1914)

This brief overview provides insight into Gandhi's journey and activism in South Africa.

In April 1893, Gandhi, at the age of 23, set out for South Africa to work as a lawyer for the cousin of Abdullah. Gandhi spent 21 years in South Africa, where he developed his political views, ethics, and understanding of politics.

Shortly after arriving in South Africa, Gandhi faced discrimination due to his skin color and heritage. He was not allowed to sit with European passengers on a stagecoach and was told to sit on the floor by the driver; when he refused, he was assaulted. In another instance, he was kicked into a ditch for daring to walk near a house, and on yet another occasion, he was thrown out of a train in Pietermaritzburg after refusing to leave the first-class compartment. Gandhi spent the night shivering at the train station, contemplating whether to return to India or protest for his rights. He chose to protest, and the next day, he was allowed to board the train. In another incident, a magistrate in Durban ordered Gandhi to remove his turban, which he refused to do. Indians were not allowed to walk on public sidewalks in South Africa, and a police officer kicked Gandhi off the sidewalk onto the street without any warning.

When Gandhi first arrived in South Africa, he considered himself "first a British person and second an Indian." However, the prejudice he felt and observed from the British people deeply disturbed him. Gandhi found it humiliating and struggled to understand how some people could feel respect, superiority, or joy in such inhumane practices. He began to question the position of his people within the British Empire.

The case that brought him to South Africa, the Abdullah case, concluded in May 1894, and the Indian community organized a farewell party for Gandhi as he prepared to return to India. However, Gandhi extended his stay in South Africa due to a new discriminatory proposal from the Natal government. He planned to help oppose a bill that denied voting rights to Indians, a right that was then proposed as an exclusive European privilege. He urged British Colonial Secretary Joseph Chamberlain to reconsider his position on the bill. Although he could not prevent the bill from passing, Gandhi's campaign successfully drew attention to the grievances of Indians in South Africa. He helped establish the Natal Indian Congress in 1894, through which he united the Indian community in South Africa into a cohesive political force. In January 1897, when Gandhi landed in Durban, he was attacked by a mob of white settlers, and he only escaped due to the efforts of the police chief's wife. However, Gandhi refused to file a complaint against any member of the mob.

During the Boer War, Gandhi voluntarily worked to form a team of stretcher bearers known as the Natal Indian Ambulance Corps in 1900. Gandhi aimed to disprove the British colonial stereotype that Hindus were not suited for "manly" activities involving danger and labor, unlike the Muslim "martial race." Gandhi organized 1,100 Indian volunteers to support British military forces against the Boers. They were trained and medically certified to work on the front lines. They assisted a white volunteer ambulance corps in the Battle of Colenso. In the Battle of Spion Kop, Gandhi and his bearers moved to the front lines, transporting wounded soldiers miles to field hospitals because the terrain was too rough for ambulances. Gandhi and 37 other Indians were awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal.

In 1906, the Transvaal government issued a new law that made it mandatory for the Indian and Chinese populations of the colony to register. On September 11 of that year, during a mass protest meeting in Johannesburg, Gandhi adopted his still-evolving method of satyagraha (devotion to truth) or nonviolent protest for the first time. Gandhi called upon Indians to defy the new law and to suffer the consequences for doing so. His ideas about protest, incitement, and public relations began to take shape. Gandhi would later bring these ideas back to India in 1915.

Gandhi's Focus on Rights in South Africa

During his time in South Africa, Gandhi focused on the rights of Indians and Africans.

Initially, he was not interested in politics, but this changed after experiencing discrimination and humiliation, such as being thrown off a train by a white ticket officer due to the color of his skin. After several incidents like this with white individuals in South Africa, Gandhi's thinking and focus shifted, and he felt compelled to resist this treatment and fight for rights. He entered politics by forming the Natal Indian Congress. According to Ashwin Desai and Ghulam Vahed, Gandhi's views on racism are controversial in some respects. He faced oppression from the very beginning in South Africa. Like others of different races, white officials denied him his rights, and he was referred to in newspapers and on the streets as a "parasite," "semi-barbarian," "muck," "coolie," "yellow man," and other epithets. People even spat on him as an expression of racial hatred.

While in South Africa, Gandhi focused on the racial persecution of Indians before he started to focus on racism against Africans. In some cases, state Desai and Vahed, Gandhi's behaviour was one of being a willing part of racial stereotyping and African exploitation. During a speech in September 1896, Gandhi complained that the whites in the British colony of South Africa were "degrading the Indian to the level of a raw Kaffir. Scholars cite it as an example of evidence that Gandhi at that time thought of Indians and black South Africans differently. As another example given by Herman, Gandhi, at the age of 24, prepared a legal brief for the Natal Assembly in 1895, seeking voting rights for Indians. Gandhi cited race history and European Orientalists' opinions that "Anglo-Saxons and Indians are sprung from the same Aryan stock or rather the Indo-European peoples" and argued that Indians should not be grouped with the Africans.

Years later, Gandhi and his colleagues served as nurses to Africans and supported the fight against racism. Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Mandela is among those who have praised Gandhi's efforts in fighting against apartheid in Africa. The common image of Gandhi, as presented by State Desai and Vahed, has been reimagined since his assassination to portray him as always being a saint, whereas in reality, his life was much more complex, uncomfortable truths that evolved over time. Scholars have also noted the rich history of collaboration and efforts between Gandhi, the Indian community, and non-white South Africans in their struggle against oppression and racial discrimination.

In 1906, when the Bambatha Rebellion broke out in the Natal Colony, 36-year-old Gandhi, despite having sympathy for the Zulu rebels, encouraged the formation of a volunteer stretcher-bearing unit for Indian South Africans. Writing in the Indian Opinion, Gandhi argued that military service would be beneficial for the Indian community and claimed that it would provide them with "health and happiness." Ultimately, Gandhi led a volunteer mixed unit of Indian and African stretcher bearers to care for injured soldiers during the suppression of the rebellion.

The medical unit directed by Gandhi operated for less than two months before disbanding. After the suppression of the rebellion, the colonial establishment showed no interest in extending the civil rights granted to white South Africans to the Indian community. As a result, Gandhi became disillusioned with the Empire, which sparked a spiritual awakening within him; historian Arthur L. Herman wrote that Gandhi's African experience was part of his profound disillusionment with the West, transforming him into an "unyielding non-cooperator."

By 1910, Gandhi's newspaper, Indian Opinion, began covering reports of discrimination against Africans by colonial rule. Gandhi remarked that Africans were "the original inhabitants of this land... On the other hand, white people forcibly occupied the land and allocated it for themselves."

In 1910, with the help of his friend Hermann Kallenbach, Gandhi established an idealistic community called the Tolstoy Farm near Johannesburg. There, Gandhi nurtured his principles of peaceful resistance.

In the years following the enfranchisement of Black South Africans (1994), Gandhi was declared a national hero with numerous monuments dedicated to him.

Gandhi in the Indian Independence Struggle (1915-1947)

At the request of Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Gandhi was informed by C.F. Andrews, and he returned to India in 1915. He emerged as a leading Indian nationalist, theorist, and community organizer, gaining international acclaim in these roles.

Gandhi's Early Influence and Leadership

Gandhi joined the Indian National Congress and was mentored by Gokhale, a senior Congress leader known for his moderate views. Gandhi adopted and adapted Gokhale's Liberalism, which was rooted in British Whig traditions, into an Indian context.

Gandhi Returns to India

1915

Gandhi Leads Congress

1920

Congress Declares Independence

1930

Gandhi Demands Independence

1942

India and Pakistan Gain Independence

1947

Gandhi's leadership within the Congress led to escalating demands for independence, culminating in the declaration of India's independence on January 26, 1930. While the British initially rejected this declaration, negotiations in the late 1930s led to Congress gaining influence in provincial government.

The Road to Independence and Partition

Gandhi and the Congress withdrew their support for the British Raj when the Viceroy declared war on Germany in 1939 without their consultation. Tensions further escalated in 1942 when Gandhi demanded immediate independence, leading to his imprisonment along with thousands of Congress leaders.

During this period, the Muslim League, under Muhammad Ali Jinnah, collaborated with the British and pushed for a separate Muslim state, Pakistan, despite Gandhi's strong opposition. Finally, in August 1947, the British granted independence to both India and Pakistan, dividing the land in a manner that Gandhi deeply regretted.

Gandhi's Role in World War I

In April 1918, towards the end of World War I, the Viceroy invited Gandhi to a war conference in Delhi. Gandhi agreed to support the war effort. In contrast to the Zulu War of 1906 and the outbreak of World War I in 1914, when he had recruited volunteers for the ambulance corps, Gandhi attempted to recruit soldiers. In June 1918, he wrote a leaflet titled "Appeal for Enlistment," stating: "In order to bring about such a state, we must have the capacity for self-defense, that is, the ability to bear arms and use them... If we wish to learn the best use of arms with the highest motives, it is our duty to enlist in the army." However, Gandhi conditioned this by stating in a letter to the Viceroy's private secretary that he would “personally not kill or injure anyone, whether friend or enemy.”

Gandhi's support for the war effort raised questions about the consistency of his philosophy of non-violence. His personal secretary noted that "the question of the consistency between his 'non-violence' doctrine and his enlistment campaign did not arise at that time, but has been discussed ever since." According to political scientist and scholar Christian Bartolf, Gandhi's support for the war stemmed from his belief that true non-violence could not coexist with cowardice; therefore, Gandhi felt that Indians needed to be willing and able to use arms before voluntarily choosing non-violence.

By July 1918, Gandhi admitted that he could not convince even one person to enlist for the war. He wrote, "So far, I have not secured a single enlistment to my credit." He added, "They object because they are afraid of dying."

Champaran Movement

Gandhi's first major achievement came in 1917 through the Champaran Movement in Bihar. The Champaran Movement was initiated by local farmers against the larger Anglo-Indian plantation owners, who were supported by the local administration. The farmers were forced to cultivate indigo, a cash crop for which the demand had been declining for two decades, and they were compelled to sell their produce at a fixed price set by the plantation owners. Frustrated by this situation, the farmers appealed to Gandhi at his ashram in Ahmedabad. Following a strategy of non-violent protest, Gandhi surprised the administration and secured concessions from the authorities.

The success of the Champaran Movement marked a significant turning point in the Indian independence movement, showcasing the effectiveness of non-violent resistance and mobilizing the agrarian community against exploitation.

Kheda Movement

In 1918, Kheda was struck by floods and famine, and the farmers were demanding relief from taxes. Gandhi shifted his headquarters to Nadiad, organizing many supporters and new volunteers from the region, the most notable being Vallabhbhai Patel. Using a strategy of non-cooperation, Gandhi initiated a signature campaign in which farmers pledged not to pay revenue despite the threat of land confiscation. The Mamlatdars and Talatdars (revenue officials in the districts) were met with a social boycott movement.

Gandhi worked hard to gain public support for the movement across the country. For five months, the administration rejected their demands, but by the end of May 1918, the government made important concessions, relaxing the conditions for tax payment until the famine was over. In Kheda, Vallabhbhai Patel represented the farmers in discussions with the British, who agreed to suspend revenue collection and release all prisoners.

The Kheda Movement was significant as it highlighted the effectiveness of organized non-violent resistance and the power of collective action among farmers, setting a precedent for future movements in the struggle for Indian independence.

The Kheda Movement demonstrated the potential of grassroots organizing and the impact of collective action in the face of oppression. It paved the way for future movements and inspired many leaders in the Indian independence struggle.

Khilafat Movement

The Khilafat Movement began in 1920 and was a significant protest by Indian Muslims against the British government. After World War I, this movement arose due to the British government's policies against the institution of the Khilafat in Turkey. Mahatma Gandhi participated in this movement and worked as a symbol of Hindu-Muslim unity. The movement became an important chapter in India's struggle for independence.

Non-Cooperation Movement

The Non-Cooperation Movement was conducted between 1920 and 1922. Under Gandhi's leadership, Indians undertook various measures of protest against the British, such as boycotting government jobs, not going to courts, boycotting foreign goods, and opposing the British educational system. This was a large social movement that gained widespread public support. The Non-Cooperation Movement laid a strong foundation for India's independence struggle.

Salt Satyagraha (Salt March / Civil Disobedience Movement)

The Salt Satyagraha took place in 1930 when Gandhi began protesting against the British salt tax. He undertook a 240-mile long march to the sea at Dandi, where he made salt in defiance of the law. This movement is considered a powerful protest for the rights and freedom of the Indian people and provided an opportunity to highlight India's issues on the international stage.

Gandhi as the People's Leader

Mahatma Gandhi was a great leader of the Indian independence movement. He promoted the principles of non-violence and Satyagraha and was able to forge unity among the people. Under his leadership, various movements and protests were organized, inspiring the Indian populace in their struggle for rights and independence. He earned the title of "Lokneta" or "people's leader."

Discussions

Gandhi frequently engaged in discussions with political leaders, people from various societal levels, and British officials through various movements. He addressed social and political issues through dialogue and negotiation, seeking solutions to prevailing problems. His approach to discussions helped ensure the success of the movements.

Round Table Conferences

The Round Table Conferences were a series of discussions held between 1930 and 1932, involving the British government and Indian political leaders. Gandhi represented the Indian community at the first Round Table Conference, raising demands for Indian self-rule. Although the conference did not lead to any significant resolutions, it is regarded as an important event in the history of India's independence struggle.

Politics of the Congress

The Indian National Congress was a major political party in the independence movement. Under Gandhi's leadership, the Congress organized various movements and raised awareness among the public against British rule. The politics of the Congress faced various challenges over time, but under the leadership of Gandhi and other leaders, it served as a powerful platform for the country's independence.

Death of Gandhi

At 5:17 PM on January 30, 1948, while Gandhi was on his way to give a speech at a prayer meeting in the garden of Birla House (now Gandhi Smriti) with his grandchildren, he was shot three times in the chest by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu nationalist. According to some accounts, Gandhi died instantly. Other descriptions, such as one prepared by an eyewitness journalist, state that Gandhi was taken to a bedroom in Birla House, where he died about 30 minutes later while a family member recited verses from Hindu scriptures.

Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru addressed the nation via All India Radio.

Friends and comrades, the light has gone out of our lives, and there is darkness everywhere, and I do not quite know what to say to you or how to say it. Our beloved leader, whom we called Bapu, the Father of the Nation, is no more. Perhaps I am wrong to say this; yet, we will not see him again as we have seen him for so many years, we will not rush to him for advice or seek comfort from him, and this is not just a terrible blow for me but for millions of people in this country.

Trial of Nathuram Godse

Godse did not attempt to escape the Hindu nationalist connections with the Hindu Mahasabha and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh; several other conspirators were soon arrested. The accused included Nathuram Vinayak Godse, Narayan Apte, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, Shankar Kistayya, Dattatray Parchure, Vishnu Karkare, Madanlal Pahwa, and Gopal Godse.

The trial began on May 27, 1948, and lasted for eight months until Justice Atma Charan delivered his final order on February 10, 1949. The prosecution called 149 witnesses, while the defense did not call any. The court found all the accused guilty except for one. Eight were convicted of conspiracy to commit murder, and the others were convicted of violating the Explosive Substances Act. Savarkar was acquitted and released. Nathuram Godse and Narayan Apte were sentenced to death by hanging, while the remaining six (including Godse's brother, Gopal) were sentenced to life imprisonment.

Gandhi's Funeral and Memorial

The nation mourned Gandhi's death. More than a million people joined the five-mile-long funeral procession that took over five hours to reach Raj Ghat, where Gandhi was assassinated, and another million watched the procession pass by. His body was transported in a vehicle with a raised chassis that was modified overnight so that people could get a glimpse of Gandhi’s remains. The vehicle's engine was not used; instead, four large bullock carts were pulled by 50 men. All Indian-owned businesses in London closed in mourning, as thousands of people from all religions and communities gathered at India House in London.

Gandhi was cremated according to Hindu rites. His ashes were scattered at various locations across India for memorial purposes. Most of the ashes were immersed at the confluence in Allahabad on February 12, 1948, but some were taken away secretly. In 1997, Tushar Gandhi immersed the contents of a vessel at the confluence in Allahabad, which had been found in a bank vault and retrieved through the court. Some of Gandhi's ashes were scattered at the source of the Nile River near Jinja, Uganda, and a memorial plaque marks the event. On January 30, 2008, the contents of another vessel were immersed at Girgaum Chowpatty. Another vessel is located at Aga Khan's Palace in Pune (where Gandhi was held as a political prisoner from 1942 to 1944), and another is at the Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine in Los Angeles.

The Birla House, where Gandhi was assassinated, is now a memorial known as Gandhi Smriti. The site where he was cremated, near the Yamuna River, is the Raj Ghat memorial in New Delhi. It features a black marble platform inscribed with the epigraph "Hey Ram" (Devanagari: हे राम), which were Gandhi's last words after being shot.