Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi Biography, Age, Family, Career, Wife, & more

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, born in 1869 in Gujarat, India, was a multifaceted individual who left an indelible mark on history. His transformative path encompassed various roles, including that of an Indian lawyer, politician, social activist, and writer. However, it was his unwavering commitment to the cause of Indian independence that propelled him to become the preeminent leader of the nationalist movement against British colonial rule. Gandhi’s impact reverberated far beyond the borders of India, inspiring and mobilizing movements for civil rights and freedom across the globe. In his pursuit of knowledge and the mastery of his legal skills, he pursued a legal education at the Inner Temple in London. You can discover the entire Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi biography within this article.

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi Biography

The greatness of a man is realized when his life influences people to change for the better, and so was the case with Mahatma Gandhi. Born into a privileged family belonging to one of the higher castes in Indian society, Gandhi’s life had a profound impact. The title of Mahātmā, meaning “Great Soul,” was bestowed upon him in 1914 during his time in South Africa, and its significance has reverberated across the world. In the hearts of millions of his fellow Indians, Gandhi embodied the essence of the Mahatma. Even long after his passing, as people read about his life and teachings, they underwent profound personal transformations that led to significant improvements in their own lives. Today, the name Mahatma Gandhi stands as one of the most universally recognized and revered figures on the planet.

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi Picture

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi Childhood Picture

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi Young Age Picture

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi Wife & Children

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi Father (Karamchand Uttamchand Gandhi)

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi Mother (Putlibai)

Family

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi’s father, Karamchand Uttamchand Gandhi (1822–1885), held the esteemed position of dewan, or chief minister, in the state of Porbandar. His mother, Putlibai, played a vital role in shaping his life and values. The Gandhi family originated from the village of Kutiana, which was located in the Junagadh State during that period. These familial roots and connections had a profound impact on Gandhi’s formative years, laying the groundwork for his future endeavors and guiding his path in life.

Age

He was born on 2 October 1869 into a Gujarati Hindu Modh Bania family. At the death time, he is 78 years old.

Wife & Children

At the age of 13, Mahatma Gandhi married Kasturba which is an arranged marriage. They had four sons namely Harilal, Manilal, Ramdas, and Devdas. She supported all the endeavors of her husband until her death in 1944.

Education

At the tender age of 9, Gandhi commenced his education at a local school in Rajkot, where he delved into the realms of arithmetic, history, geography, and languages, laying the foundation of his intellectual growth. As he matured, his thirst for knowledge propelled him on a remarkable journey to London when he turned 19. In pursuit of his legal aspirations, he enrolled at the prestigious Inner Temple, one of the esteemed law colleges in the city. Notably, his educational journey intertwined with that of a family friend, Mavji Dave Joshi, who also ventured to London to pursue further studies in law. This connection forged a bond between them, as they navigated their paths of educational and personal growth together.

Death

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was assassinated on 30 January 1948 by Nathuram Godse. Godse was a Hindu nationalist and a member of the Hindu Mahasabha. He accused Gandhi of favoring Pakistan and was opposed to the doctrine of non-violence.

“You must be the change you wish to see in the World.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Years in South Africa

Africa presented Gandhi with a multitude of challenges and opportunities that surpassed his initial expectations. Little did he know that he would spend over twenty years on the continent, with only a brief return to India in 1896-97. It was during his time in Africa that Gandhi’s experiences would shape and molded him.

The Struggle for Indian Independence (1915–1947)

In response to Gopal Krishna Gokhale’s request, conveyed through C.F. Andrews, Gandhi returned to India from South Africa. One of his earliest significant achievements occurred in 1918 when he spearheaded the Champaran and Kheda agitations in Bihar and Gujarat, respectively. These acts propelled him to international prominence as a leading figure in the Indian nationalist movement, renowned as a theorist and community organizer.

During his time in South Africa, Gandhi swiftly emerged as a respected leader within the Indian community, earning admiration and wielding influence. Upon joining the Indian National Congress, he immersed himself in Indian issues, politics, and the aspirations of the Indian people, largely guided by the teachings of Gokhale. Gandhi subsequently led significant movements such as the Non-Cooperation Movement, Civil Disobedience Movement, Swaraj (self-rule), and the Quit India movement, all aimed at challenging British colonial rule and striving for Indian independence.

Awards List

• The Government of India institutionalized the annual Gandhi Peace Prize to distinguished social workers, world leaders, and citizens. Nelson Mandela, the leader of South Africa’s struggle against apartheid was a recipient of the award.
• In 2011, Time magazine named Gandhi as one of the top 25 political icons of all time.
• In 1930, Gandhi was named the Man of the Year by Time Magazine.
• He did not receive the Nobel Peace Prize despite being nominated five times between 1937 and 1948.

Mahatma Gandhi: Literary works

• Gandhi was a prolific writer. Some of his literary works are as follows:
• Gandhi also wrote his autobiography, The Story of My Experiments with Truth.
• He edited several newspapers which included Harijan in Gujarati, in Hindi and the English language; Indian Opinion, Young India, in English, and Navajivan, a Gujarati monthly.
• Hind Swaraj, published in Gujarati in 1909.
• His other autobiographies included: Satyagraha in South Africa, Hind Swaraj, or Indian Home Rule.

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