Mahatma Gandhi: Introduction and Early Satyagrahas (Up to 1919)

Introduction
• Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, known as Mahatma Gandhi, was India’s foremost freedom fighter and the most influential leader of the nationalist movement.
• He played a central role in India’s struggle against British rule and is honored as the “Father of the Nation.”
• Gandhi infused the Indian freedom struggle with moral authority, mass participation, and the principles of truth (Satya) and non‑violence (Ahimsa).

Early Life and Education
• Born on 2 October 1869 at Porbandar, Gujarat.
• Basic schooling at Rajkot; studied arithmetic, history, geography, and languages.
• In 1888, briefly joined Samaldas College (Bhavnagar) but was dissatisfied.
• Encouraged by family friend Mavji Dave Joshi, Gandhi went to London to study law.
• Before leaving, he took a solemn vow to his mother and wife to abstain from meat, alcohol, and immoral conduct.

London (1888–1891)
• Joined Inner Temple to study law.
• Became active in the Vegetarian Society.
• Introduced to the Bhagavad Gita, which deeply shaped his philosophy.
• Studied various religious texts, ethics, and Western thinkers.

South Africa: The Making of a Leader (1893–1914)
• Went to South Africa in 1893 to work as a lawyer.
• Faced racial discrimination—thrown out of a first‑class train compartment despite having a valid ticket.
• Witnessed widespread humiliation of Indians (derogatorily labeled “coolies”).
• These experiences transformed him into a political activist.

Natal Indian Congress (1894)
• Founded by Gandhi to protect Indian rights.
• Became the center of Indian political activity in South Africa.

Phoenix Settlement (1904)
• Inspired by Tolstoy, Gandhi established Phoenix Farm—center for simple living, self‑discipline, sanitation, natural healing.
• Launched the newspaper “Indian Opinion” to spread awareness.

Zulu War (1906)
• Gandhi served voluntarily as the head of the Indian Ambulance Corps on the British side.
• Earned the Zulu War Medal.
• Experience strengthened his belief in non‑violence and humanitarian service.

Beginning of Satyagraha in South Africa
• 1906: New Registration Act required Indians to carry passes at all times.
• Gandhi launched first Satyagraha—peaceful civil resistance.
• Indians publicly burnt registration certificates.
• Gandhi arrested in 1908; continued struggle until Act repealed in 1909.

Transvaal March (1913)
• Led 2,000 coal miners across Natal–Transvaal border without permits.
• Miners arrested and forced into hard labor; Gandhi jailed again.
• This long struggle completed Gandhi’s evolution of Satyagraha based on:
  – Truth
  – Non‑violence
  – Willing acceptance of suffering
  – Moral force, not physical force

Return to India (1915)
• Returned at age 46.
• Received with great respect by Indian leaders.
• Stayed at Santiniketan briefly, then founded Sabarmati Ashram (1916) to train followers in simple living, self‑discipline, truth, and non‑violence.

Early Satyagrahas in India

1. Champaran Satyagraha (1917)
• First major Satyagraha in India.
• Indigo planters forced peasants to cultivate indigo on 3/20th of their land under exploitative conditions.
• Gandhi visited Champaran with Rajendra Prasad, Mazhar‑ul‑Huq, J.B. Kripalani, and Mahadev Desai.
• Ignored government orders to leave; willing to face trial.
• Government withdrew order and appointed a committee with Gandhi as a member.
• Reforms introduced; peasants' hardships reduced.
• Gandhi’s first successful civil disobedience movement in India.

2. Kheda Satyagraha (1918)
• Severe crop failure due to drought; peasants entitled to remission of land revenue.
• Government refused concessions.
• Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and others led peaceful non‑payment of taxes.
• Despite confiscation of property, people remained united.
• Government granted partial relief—important victory.

3. Ahmedabad Mill Strike (1918)
• Industrial dispute between mill workers and owners.
• Gandhi encouraged workers to remain non‑violent.
• Undertook fast‑unto‑death to pressure mill owners.
• After 4 days, owners agreed to 35% wage increase.
• Strengthened Gandhi’s bond with working classes.

Gandhi and Social Issues
• Gandhi aligned himself with the masses, adopting their lifestyle and concerns.
• Central social goals:
  – Hindu–Muslim unity
  – Removal of untouchability
  – Upliftment of women
• Promoted khadi and charkha as symbols of self‑reliance and dignity of labor.

Satyagraha Against Rowlatt Act (1919)
• Rowlatt Act authorized detention without trial; opposed by all nationalist groups.
• Gandhi formed Satyagraha Sabha in February 1919.
• Called for nationwide hartal and peaceful protests.
• Marked a new phase: nationalism turned toward the villages and common people.
• Charkha and khadi became symbols of national self‑respect.

Nationwide Awakening (1919)
• March–April 1919 witnessed massive protests, hartals, and demonstrations.
• Hindu–Muslim unity strengthened.
• The nation rose against unjust foreign rule, setting the stage for larger mass movements.
 

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Subject: Modern History

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