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My Experiments with
Truth - M K Gandhi
Sikkim Manipal University
Directorate of Distance Education
Manipal
INSPIRED BY LIFE
BAE B
SIKKIM MANIPAL UNIVERSITY (SMU DDE)
Dean
Directorate of Distance Education
Sikkim Manipal University (SMU DDE)
BOARD OF STUDIES
Chairman Dr Ramesh Murthy, Director, SMU DE
HOD Arts and Humanities Dr Gayathri Devi, Dean, SMU DE
SMU DDE Dr Shivram Krishnan, Dean-Academics, HOD, A&H and VS, SMU DE
Additional Registrar Srinath P.S., Additional Registrar, Student Evaluation, SMU DDE
SMU DDE Ashok Kumar K., Additional Registrar, SMU DDE
Dr Jyoti Sharma, Associate Professor, University of Delhi
Controller of Examination Dr Nivedita Giri, Assistant Professor, University of Delhi
SMU DDE
Rukmana Meher, Guest Lecturer, University of Delhi
Director Prof.
S.S. Sharma, Emeritus Professor, CCS University, Meerut
SMU DDE Dr Kamalesh Bharadwaj, Associate Professor, SDPG College,
Ghaziabad
Dr Miti Pandey, Associate Professor, SDPG College, Ghaziabad
Dr Prashant Gupta, University of Delhi
Edition: Fall
Print:
Printed at Manipal Technologies Ltd
Published on behalf of Sikkim Manipal University, Gangtok, Sikkim by
Vikas Publishing House Pvt Ltd
Author: Deb Dulal Halder
© Author,
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Author’s Profile
Deb Dulal Halder has been teaching undergraduate and postgraduate classes for more
than a decade in Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi. Besides Indian Literature in
English and Translation, his areas of interest include Post Colonialism, Cultural Studies,
Linguistics and Communication, and the Literature of the Romantic and Victorian Era,
among others.
Apart from writing study material for distance learning students of different
universities across India and writing several critical essays published in well-known journals
and books, he has co-authored books on Technical Writing and Communication (Bookage
Publications, ) and Foundational Concepts of Translation (Bookage Publications,
) and also edited Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking Glass (Bookage Publishers,
) Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice (Selina Publishers, ) and As You
Like It (Selina Publishers, ).
Reviewer’s Profile
Dr Rajshree Ranawa is an Assistant Professor in the Department of English, Jai Narain
Vyas University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
She has been involved with teaching English
Literature and Language for more than a decade. Along with this, Dr. Ranawa has authored
a number of papers in national and international journals; has presented research papers
in various conferences; and has also delivered extension lectures. Her area of interest is
Indian writing in English, British Literature, Post-Colonial Literature and Linguistics.
In House Content Review Team
Dr Shivram Krishnan Neena Rani
, MBA, MA (Eco); PGDHE, PGDC, Ph.D.; MA, , Asst.
Professor
Dean-Academics, Prof. and HOD, Arts & Humanities and
Arts & Humanities and Vocational Sciences Vocational Sciences
Autobiographies: My Experiments with
Truth - M K Gandhi
Contents
Unit 1
About the Author
Unit 2
Explanation of the Autobiography - I
Unit 3
Explanation of the Autobiography - II
Unit 4
Explanation of the Autobiography - III
Unit 5
Explanation of the Autobiography - IV
Unit 6
Explanation of the Autobiography - V
Unit 7
Explanation of the Autobiography - VI
Unit 8
Explanation of the Autobiography - VII
Unit 9
Explanation of the Autobiography - VIII
Autobiographies: My Experiments with Truth - M K Gandhi Contents
Unit 10
Explanation of the Autobiography - IX
Unit 11
Reference to Context of Important Passages
Unit 12
People Who Influenced Gandhi
Unit 13
Gandhi and His Relationship; Gandhi as a Social Activist;
Gandhi as a Spiritual Leader
Unit 14
An Overview of Gandhi’s Belief in Non-Violence
Appendix
Sikkim Manipal University Page No.
(vi)
Subject Introduction
M.K. Gandhi, born on 2 October , was the greatest leader of the Indian
freedom struggle. Propounding the philosophy of ‘ahimsa’ and ‘satyagraha’,
Gandhi not only led India to freedom from British colonial rule, but his ideas and
ethics also inspired freedom struggles and civil rights movements in other nations.
During the freedom struggle, because of the astonishingly high moral standard
Gandhi set for himself and his followers and the unquestionable reverence that
the people of India and other leaders of the freedom struggle had towards him,
Gandhi came to be known as the ‘Mahatma’.
Gandhi first gained prominence in
South Africa where he came to be known as a champion of truth and non-violence
while fighting for the rights of Indians living in South Africa. Gandhi returned to
India in and dedicated the remaining years of his life to fight for freedom of
his motherland. After his return to India, the Indian freedom struggle gathered
greater momentum; for the first time in the history of the world, a saint politician
led millions of people of a dependent country and taught them the practical uses
of techniques like non-violence, non-cooperation and civil disobedience.
During
the Gandhian Era of the freedom struggle, Gandhi led many mass movements,
including the Civil Disobedience Movement, the Dandi March and the Quit India
movement. Five years after the Quit India movement began, India became an
independent nation. Tragically, nine months after India gained independence,
Gandhi was assassinated by Nathuram Godse, a right-wing religious fanatic.
Today, due to the leading role that Gandhi played in the freedom struggle, he is
known as the Father of the Nation.
This book entitled Autobiographies: My Experiments with Truth - M K Gandhi
has been written in a simplified manner to gives students an idea of the concepts
of Gandhian philosophy.
The book begins with an examination all the major issues
that Gandhi discusses in his autobiography. It then goes on to explore Gandhian
concepts of non-violence resistance and Satyagraha.
The book comprises fourteen units.
Unit 1 – About the Author: Examines Mahatama Gandhi’s role as a political
and social leader of India.
Unit 2 – Explanation of the Autobiography - I: Discusses the introduction to
the book as well as the aims and objectives of Gandhi’s autobiography.
Unit 3 – Explanation of the Autobiography - II: Discusses the early years of
Gandhi’s life as well as his marriage with Kasturba when they were both children.
Autobiographies: My Experiments with Truth - M K Gandhi Subject Introduction
Unit 4 – Explanation of the Autobiography - III: Describes the early episodes
of Gandhi’s life which moulded him into one of the greatest iconic figures of the
twentieth century.
Unit 5 – Explanation of the Autobiography - IV: Focusses on aspects of
Gandhi’s stay in England as a law student along with the problems he encountered
and overcame during that period.
Unit 6 – Explanation of the Autobiography - V: Discusses the racial
discrimination faced by Indians in South Africa and Gandhi’s struggle against
these practices.
Unit 7 – Explanation of the Autobiography - VI: Examines the meaning of
‘Satyagraha’ and Gandhi’s Satyagraha movement in South Africa.
Unit 8 – Explanation of the Autobiography - VII: Describes Gandhi’s efforts
towards Indian education and the establishment of Sabarmati Ashram.
Unit 9 – Explanation of the Autobiography - VIII: Discusses Gandhi’s various
Satyagraha movements in India after his return from South Africa.
Unit 10 – Explanation of the Autobiography - IX: Discusses the concluding
chapter of Gandhi’s autobiography.
Unit 11 – Reference to Context of Important Passages: Discusses reference
to context questions and the technique of answering such questions
Unit 12 – People Who Influenced Gandhi: Discusses the various influences
on Gandhi during his non-violent resistance in India.
Unit 13 – Gandhi and His Relationship; Gandhi as a Social Activist; Gandhi
as a Spiritual Leader: Examines Gandhi as a spiritual leader and a social
activist, who worked tirelessly for the nation’s upliftment.
Unit 14 – An Overview of Gandhi’s Belief in Non-Violence: Examines
Gandhi’s strategy of non-violent resistance as well as the religious and
philosophical roots of ahimsa in Gandhi’s ideology.
Objectives of studying the subject
After studying this subject, you should be able to:
• Discuss the significance of M.
K. Gandhi’s principles and way of life
• Examine Gandhi’s role as a political and social leader of India
• Analyse Gandhi’s role as a nation-builder
• Discuss Gandhi’s aims and objectives for writing the Story of My
Experiments with Truth
Sikkim Manipal University Page No. (viii)
Autobiographies: My Experiments with Truth - M K Gandhi Subject Introduction
• Examine the main problems that occur while writing autobiographies
• Discuss the role played by Gandhi’s parents, family and friends in moulding
his life
• Examine Gandhi’s views on child marriage
• Describe Gandhi’s life after his child marriage to Kasturba
• Discuss the early school life of M.K.
Gandhi
• Examine the instances of Gandhi’s adolescent experiments with forbidden
acts
• Discuss the various problems faced by Gandhi during his stay in England
• Examine the varied experiences of Gandhi overcoming the cultural barriers
in England
• Examine Gandhi’s life and experiences in South Africa
• Describe the racial discrimination faced by Indians in South Africa
• Discuss the evolution of Gandhi as a leader of the masses who fought
against racial discrimination
• Discuss the concept of ‘Satyagraha’
• Examine the Satyagraha movement in South Africa
• Discuss the rules and regulations of Gandhi’s ashram
• Examine Gandhi’s views on English language in India
• Discuss the various Satyagraha movements initiated by Gandhi in India
• Examine the significance of Gandhi’s non-violent struggle
• Examine the reason for Gandhi’s conclusion of his autobiography
• Discuss Gandhi’s hopes and aspirations for the future
• Solve some important reference to context passages
• Discuss the significant influences on Gandhi during his Satyagraha period
• Examine the influence of Indian scholars on Gandhi
• Discuss the significant relationships developed by Gandhi during his lifetime
• Analyse the various social issues brought forward by Gandhi’s writings
• Discuss the religious and philosophical roots of ahimsa in Gandhi’s ideology
• Explain the meaning of non-violent resistance
Sikkim Manipal University Page No.
(ix)
Unit 1 About the Author
Structure
Introduction
Objectives
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi: A Brief Introduction
Gandhi as a Political and Social Icon
Summary
Glossary
Terminal Questions
Answers
Further Reading
Introduction
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi is probably the most well-known figure of Indian
politics till date and his thoughts and writings are referred to by politicians,
scholars, students as well as academicians.
It is significant that one should
learn about his teachings and principles in greater detail, not only to have an
idea about what he believed in, but find out how he practiced his ideas in daily
life. Therefore, it is important for Indian students to read his autobiography, The
Story of My Experiments with Truth, in detail as it provides some glimpses of
what he believed in and how he lived his life.
Moreover, as the title of his
autobiography suggests, the book is not merely an autobiography but also talks
at length about the experiments that Gandhi did in his life. The two words,
‘experiments’ and ‘truth’, are of great significance in the title as these two aspects
held great importance in Gandhi’s life. His life is an experiment of non-violence,
truth and ‘Satyagraha’.
Objectives
After studying this unit, you should be able to:
• Discuss the significance of M.
K. Gandhi’s principles and way of life
• Examine Gandhi’s role as a political and social leader of India
• Analyse Gandhi’s role as a nation-builder
Autobiographies: My Experiments with Truth - M K Gandhi Unit 1
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi: A Brief Introduction
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi is known as the father of India (Bapu) and often
referred to as ‘mahatma’ (great soul)—a title given to him by another great poet
of India, Rabindra Nath Tagore.
The two great men had immense respect for
each other and shared a connection which is unparalleled in the history of India.
While Rabindra Nath Tagore was a poet, dramatist, lyricist, novelist, essayist,
educationist and a great political activist, M. K. Gandhi was a writer, lawyer as
well as a political and social leader who gave a new direction to the freedom
struggle of India with his ‘Satyagraha’.
If one talks about the early twentieth century
history or literature, Gandhi’s influence in every aspect of life was quite immense.
It is impossible to miss an opportunity to talk about him in relation to historical
processes or literary creations of the early twentieth century India.
When one talks about Indian English novels in the first half of the twentieth
century, we see that all the writers were greatly influenced by Gandhian thoughts,
whether it is Mulk Raj Anand, R.
K. Narayan or Raja Rao—the three stalwarts of
Indian English novels. In some novels, Gandhi appears as a character (Mulk Raj
Anand’s Untouchable) who deals with the question of untouchability. Raja Rao’s
Kanthapura is a novel which deals with Gandhian thoughts and philosophy and
the protagonist of the novel, Murthy, is a Gandhian figure.
From this, one can
decipher Gandhi’s deep influence on Indian nation building. Not only the novels,
but any writing dealing with the early twentieth century historical, social and
cultural processes would be incomplete without mentioning Gandhi’s contribution
towards building India as a nation.
At the beginning of the Gandhian era, our nation was drowned in the
darkness of British colonial presence and it needed a strong visionary to lead
the Indian mass towards the light of freedom.
The primary problem that India
had to fight against was lack of leadership. This problem was solved with the
advent of M.K. Gandhi. He was a leader who appealed to the masses, possessed
the charisma to change the perception of the entire nation and inspired people
to stand up for their own rights in a way the British found quite hard to tackle.
Gandhi provided that impetus, inspiration and impelling force to the Indian mass
during the early twentieth century which still gives the much needed vision for
India’s development and progress.
Sikkim Manipal University Page No.
2
Autobiographies: My Experiments with Truth - M K Gandhi Unit 1
Timeline – Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
Oct. 2 Born at Porbandar, Kathiawad, son of Karamchand (Kaba)
and Putlibai Gandhi
His family moved to Rajkot, where he attended primary
school
Betrothed to Kasturba, daughter of Gokuldas Makanji, a
merchant
Entered high school in Rajkot
Married Kasturba
Father died at the age of 63
Passed matriculation examination at Ahmedabad and
entered Samaldas College, Bhavnagar, Kathiawad, but
found studies difficult and remained only for one term
Sept.
Sailed from Mumbai to England to study law
During summer, returned to India after being called to bar.
Began law practice in Bombay and Rajkot
April Sailed for South Africa to become a lawyer for an Indian
firm
Found himself subjected to all kinds of racial discrimination
Prepared to return to India after completing law, but was
persuaded by the Indian colony to remain in South Africa,
indulge in public work and earn a living as a lawyer
Drafted first petition sent by Indians to a South African
legislature
May Organized Natal Indian Congress.
Returned to India for six months to bring his wife and two
children to Natal
Dec.
Sailed for South Africa with family and was mobbed when
he disembarked at Durban for what the Europeans thought
he wrote about South Africa when he was in India.
Organized Indian Ambulance Corps for the British during
Boer War
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Autobiographies: My Experiments with Truth - M K Gandhi Unit 1
Embarked with family for India, promising to return to South
Africa if the Indian community ever needed his services
– Travelled extensively in India, attended the Indian National
Congress meeting in Calcutta and established a law office
in Mumbai
Returned to South Africa after an urgent request from the
Indian community
Established a law office in Johannesburg during that
summer
Established the weekly journal, Indian Opinion
Organized Phoenix Settlement near Durban after reading
Ruskin’s Unto This Last
March Organized Indian Ambulance Corps for the Zulu ‘Rebellion’
Took a vow of continence for life
Sept.
First Satyagraha campaign began with a meeting in
Johannesburg to protest against proposed Asiatic
ordinance directed against Indian immigrants in Transvaal
Oct. Sailed for England to present Indians’ case to the Colonial
Secretary and started back to South Africa in December
June Organized Satyagraha against compulsory registration of
Asians (‘The Black Act’)
Jan.
Sent to trial for instigating Satyagraha and sentenced to
two months imprisonment in the Johannesburg jail (his
first imprisonment)
Jan. Was summoned to consult with General Smuts at
PretoriaReached a compromiseWas released from jail
Feb. Attacked and wounded by Indian extremist, Mir Alam, for
his settlement with Smuts
Aug.
After Smuts broke the agreement, second Satyagraha
campaign began with a bonfire of registration certificates
Oct. Arrested for not possessing the certificate and sentenced
to two months imprisonment in Volksrust jail
Feb. Sentenced to three months imprisonment in Volksrust and
Pretoria jails
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Autobiographies: My Experiments with Truth - M K Gandhi Unit 1
June Sailed again to England for presenting the Indians’ case
Nov. Returned to South Africa, writing Hind Swaraj en route
May Established Tolstoy Farm near Johannesburg
Began penitential fast (one meal a day for more than four
months) due to the moral lapse of two members of the
Phoenix Settlement
Sept.
Helped campaign against nullification of marriages not
celebrated according to Christian rites, with Kasturba and
other women being sentenced for crossing the Transvaal
border without permits
Nov. Third Satyagraha campaign began by leading the ‘Great
March’ of Indian miners from Newcastle across the
Transvaal border in Natal
Nov.
Arrested three times in four days (at Palmford, Standerton
and Teakworth) and sentenced at Dundee to nine months
imprisonment Tried at Volksrust in second trial and
sentenced to three months imprisonment with his
European co-workers, Polak and Kallenbach.
Imprisoned in Volksrust jail for a few days and then taken
to Bloemfontein in Orange Free State.
Dec.
Released unconditionally in expectation of a compromise
settlement
Jan. Underwent a fast for fourteen days due to moral lapse of
the Phoenix Settlement members.
Jan. Satyagraha campaign suspended with a pending
agreement between Smuts, C.F. Andrews and Gandhi
along with the ultimate passage of Indian Relief Act
July Left South Africa forever, sailing from Cape town to London
with Kasturba and Kallenbach, arriving at beginning of
World War I
Organized Indian Ambulance Corps in England, but was
obliged to sail for India due to pleurisy.
Secured removal of customs harassment of passengers
at Viramgam
Organized first incipient Satyagraha campaign in India
Sikkim Manipal University Page No.
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Autobiographies: My Experiments with Truth - M K Gandhi Unit 1
May Established Satyagraha Ashram at Kochrab, near
Ahmedabad, and soon admitted an untouchable family
Moved ashram to new site near Sabarmati River in
Feb. Gave speech at opening of Hindu University at Benares
Helped in the abolishment of recruitment of South African
indenture workers in India
Led successful Satyagraha campaign for rights of
peasants on indigo plantations in Champaran
Defied an order to leave the area in April.
Was arrested
and tried at Motihari, but the case was withdrawn
Mahadev Desai joined him at Champaran
Feb. Led strike of millworkers at Ahmedabad. Mill owner agreed
to arbitration after his three-day fast (his first fast in India)
March Led Satyagraha campaign for peasants in Kheda
Attended Viceroy’s War Conference at Delhi and agreed
that Indians should be recruited for World War I
Began the recruitment campaign, but fell fatally ill Agreed
to drink goat’s milk and learned spinning during
convalescence
Rowlatt Bills (perpetuating withdrawal of civil liberties for
seditious crimes) was passed and first all-India Satyagraha
campaign conceived
April Organized nation-wide hartal (suspension of activity for a
day) against the passing of Rowlatt Bills
April Arrested at Kosi near Delhi on his way to Punjab and
escorted back to Mumbai, but never tried
Fasted at Sabarmati for three days in penitence for
violence and suspended the Satyagraha campaign, which
he called a ‘Himalayan miscalculation’ as the people were
not very disciplined
Assumed editorship of English Weekly, Young India and
Gujarati Weekly Founded the Navajivan Trust
Oct.
After five months’ refusal, authorities allowed him to visit
the scene of April disorders in Punjab Worked closely with
Motilal Nehru
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Autobiographies: My Experiments with Truth - M K Gandhi Unit 1
Conducted extensive inquiry into violence in many Punjab
villages
April Elected president of All-India Home Rule League
June Successfully urged resolution for a Satyagraha campaign
of non-cooperation at Moslem Conference in Allahabad
and at Congress sessions in Calcutta (September) and
Nagpur (December)
Aug.
Second all-India Satyagraha campaign began when he
gave up the Kaisar-i-Hind medal.
Presided the opening of first homespun (khadi) shop in
Mumbai
Aug. Presided at bonfire of foreign cloth in Mumbai
Sept. Stopped wearing shirt and cap and resolved to wear only
loin-cloth in devotion to homespun cotton and simplicity
Nov.
Fasted at Mumbai for five days due to communal riots
following the visit of Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII and
Duke of Windsor)
Dec. Mass civil disobedience, with thousands in jail
Gandhi invested with ‘sole executive authority’ on behalf
of the Congress
Feb. Suspended mass disobedience due to violence at Chauri
Chaura and undertook a five-day fast of penance at Bardoli
March Arrested at Sabarmati for charges of sedition in Young
India
Pleaded guilty in his famous statement at the ‘great trial’
in Ahmedabad before Judge Broomfield
Sentenced to six years imprisonment in Yeravda jail
Wrote Satyagraha in South Africa and part of his
autobiography in prison
Jan.
Was operated for appendicitis and unconditionally released
from prison in February
Sept. Began day ‘great fast’ at Mohammed Ali’s home near
Delhi as penance for communal rioting (between Hindus
and Muslims), especially at Kohat
Dec. Presided over Congress session at Belgaum as president
Sikkim Manipal University Page No.
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Autobiographies: My Experiments with Truth - M K Gandhi Unit 1
Nov. Fasted at Sabarmati for seven days due to the
misbehaviour of ashram members
Dec. Announced one-year political silence and immobility at
Congress session at Cawnpore
No-tax Satyagraha campaign launched at Bardoli, led by
Sadar Patel
Dec.
Moved compromise resolution to Congress session in
Calcutta, calling for complete independence within one
year, or else the beginning of another all-Indian Satyagraha
campaign
March Arrested for burning foreign cloth in Calcutta and fined one
rupee
Dec. Congress session at Lahore declared complete
independence and a boycott of the legislature, settling on
26 January as National Independence Day
Third all-Indian Satyagraha campaign began
March Set out from Sabarmati with 79 volunteers on historic salt
march of miles to sea at Dandi.
12 April Broke salt law by picking up salt at seashore as the whole
world watched
6 May Arrested by armed policemen at Karadi and imprisoned
in Yeravda jail without trial
One hundred thousand people arrested.
There was no
Congress in December as all leaders were in jail
Jan. Released unconditionally with 30 other Congress leaders
March Gandhi-Irwin (Viceroy) Pact signed, which ended civil
disobedience
Aug. Sailed from Mumbai, accompanied by Desai, Naidu and
Mira, among others, for the second Round Table
Conference, arriving in London via Marseilles, where he
was met by C.F.
Andrews
Resided at Kingsley Hall in London slums, broadcasted
to America, visited universities, met celebrities and
attended various Round Table Conference sessions
Sikkim Manipal University Page No. 8
Autobiographies: My Experiments with Truth - M K Gandhi Unit 1
Dec. Left England for Switzerland, where he met Romain
Rolland, and Italy, where he met Mussolini
Dec.
Arrived back to IndiaWas authorized by the Congress to
renew Satyagraha campaign (fourth nation-wide effort)
Jan. Arrested in Mumbai with Sardar Patel and detained without
trial at Yeravda prison
Sept. 20 Began ‘perpetual fast unto death’ in prison, protesting
British action of giving separate electorates to
untouchables
Sept.
26 Concluded ‘epic fast’ with historic cell scene in presence
of Tagore after the British accepted ‘Yeravda Pact’
Dec. Joined fast initiated by another prisoner, Appasaheb
Patwardhan, against untouchability. The fast ended in two
days
Began weekly publication of Harijan in place of Young India
May 8 Began self-purification fast of 21 days against
untouchability and was released from prison by
government on the first day.
The fast concluded after 21
days at Pune
July Disbanded Sabarmati ashram, which became the centre
for removal of untouchability
Aug Arrested and imprisoned at Yeravda for four days with 34
members of his ashram. When he refused to leave
Yeravda village for Pune, he was sentenced to one year
imprisonment at Yeravda
Aug.
16 Began fast against refusal of government to grant him
permission to work against untouchability while in prison.
On the fifth day of the fast, he was moved to Sassoon
Hospital as his health was deteriorating. He was
unconditionally released on the eighth day
Nov. Began ten-month tour of every province in India to help
abolish untouchability
Nov.
Kasturba arrested and imprisoned for the sixth time in two
years
Three separate attempts made on his life
Sikkim Manipal University Page No. 9
Autobiographies: My Experiments with Truth - M K Gandhi Unit 1
July Fasted at Wardha ashram for seven days in penance
against intolerance of opponents of the movement against
untouchability
Oct.
Launched All-India Village Industries Association
His health declined and moved to Mumbai for recuperation
Visited Seagon, a village near Wardha in the Central
Provinces, and decided to settle there. (This was renamed
Sevagram in and eventually became an ashram for
his disciples)
Jan.
Visited Travancore to protest against untouchability
Tour of Northwest Frontier Province with Khan Abdul
Ghaffar Khan
March Began fast unto death as part of Satyagraha campaign in
Rajkot. The fast ended four days later when the Viceroy
appointed Sir Maurice Gwyer as arbitrator.
Oct. Launched limited, individual civil disobedience campaign
against Britain’s refusal of allowing Indians to express their
opinions regarding World War II.
23, persons were
imprisoned within a year
Harijan resumed publication after being suspended for 15
months
March Met Sir Stafford Cripps in New Delhi but called his
proposals ‘a post-dated cheque’, which were ultimately
rejected by the Congress
Aug. Congress passed ‘Quit India’ resolution, the final nation-
wide Satyagraha campaign, with Gandhi as their leader.
Aug.
9 Arrested along with other Congress leaders and Kasturba,
and imprisoned in Aga Khan Palace near Pune, with revolts
in many parts of IndiaHe began correspondence with the
Viceroy
Aug. Mahadev Desai, Gandhi’s secretary and close friend, died
in Aga Khan Palace
Sikkim Manipal University Page No.
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Autobiographies: My Experiments with Truth - M K Gandhi Unit 1
Feb. 10 Began day fast at Aga Khan Palace to end deadlock of
negotiations between the Viceroy and Indian leaders
Feb. 22 Kasturba died in detention at Aga Khan Palace at the age
of 74
May 6 After decline in health, Gandhi was released from detention
unconditionally (this was his last imprisonment; he had
spent days in jail during his life time)
Sept Important talks with Jinnah of Muslim League in Mumbai
on Hindu-Muslim unity
March Conferred with the British Cabinet Mission in New Delhi
Nov.
Began four-month tour of 49 villages in East Bengal to
quell communal rioting over Muslim representation in
provisional government
March Began tour of Bihar to reduce the strain between Hindus
and Muslims
Began conferences in New Delhi with Viceroy (Lord
Mountbatten) and Jinnah
May Opposed Congress decision to accept division of country
into India and Pakistan
Aug.
15 Fasted and prayed to combat riots in Calcutta as India
was partitioned and granted independence
Sept. Fasted for three days to stop communal violence in
Calcutta
Sept. Visited Delhi to stop riotsVisited refugee camps (Hindus
and Sikhs from Punjab) during the same trip
Jan. 13 Fasted for five days in Delhi to attain communal unity
Jan.
20 Bomb exploded in midst of his prayer meeting at Birla
House, Delhi
Jan. 30 Assassinated at Birla House by Nathuram Vinayak Godse
at the age of 78
Source: Short Chronology of Gandhi’s Life, The Gandhi Reader, edited by
Homer A. Jack, Samata Books, Madras,
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Autobiographies: My Experiments with Truth - M K Gandhi Unit 1
Self-Assessment Questions
1.
Fill in the blanks using appropriate terms.
(a) __________, ___________ and _________ are the three stalwarts
of Indian English novels.
(b) In Mulk Raj Anand’s novel _________, Gandhi appears as a character
who deals with the question of untouchability.
Activity 1
Watch Richard Attenborough’s famous movie titled Gandhi, which is based
on Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi’s life.
Write a review on the movie.
Gandhi as a Political and Social Icon
According to M. H. Abrams, ‘autobiography’ is a genre which is written by a
person about himself or herself—about what he or she believes in and what are
the main actions of his or her life. But have you ever considered why a person
writes an autobiography?
What inspires or stimulates a person? Is it peer
pressure or some inner instinct which makes one write an autobiography?
Moreover, another question which one should ponder over is why people are
provoked to read autobiographies. These are some questions that need to be
discussed as they formulate the background to the genre of autobiography.
Gandhi wrote his autobiography primarily due to peer pressure.
However,
if peer pressure is an external force that drove Gandhi to write, then there is
another internal drive that made him write the Story of My Experiments with
Truth. We have to keep in mind that his autobiography was serialized in a
magazine, asserting the fact that there were regular readers. Gandhi, through
his writings, wanted to educate people to his thoughts, which is one of the reasons
why he wrote his autobiography.
Today, years after Gandhi’s demise, his autobiography is a means through
which we can assess his contribution to Indian thought and freedom as well as
his life and principles.
There have been many films made on Gandhi as his
philosophy is still pertinent to our life. For example, in the movie Munnabhai, we
see a very practical demonstration of Gandhian philosophy where people are
tried to win by love. Therefore, reading Gandhi’s autobiography would provide
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Autobiographies: My Experiments with Truth - M K Gandhi Unit 1
the readers a gateway into understanding Gandhi as a person along with his
philosophy and principles.
Moreover, an autobiography is not only a portrayal of the life of the person
who is writing it. It is also a portrayal of the times in which the person had lived.
Therefore, when one reads an autobiography, they get information about the
history of that time as well.
For example, when one reads that part of Gandhi’s
The Story of My Experiments with Truth when he talks about his stay in South
Africa for two decades, we not only gain an insight into Gandhi’s activities in
South Africa, but can also decipher the racist ideology of the South African whites
and how the blacks and the Indians suffered in South Africa under the racist
regime.
Moreover, one can also assess the piteous condition of indentured Indian
labourers in South Africa. After reading about Gandhi’s fight against the South
African racist regime, we not only see how Gandhi experimented with his
ideology, but also get an idea about the people and their lives in South Africa
during those times.
Again, when Gandhi talks about his early days of involvement in Indian
politics, we gain an insight about the Indian National Congress and their
contribution towards the fight against the British regime.
Thus, autobiography,
like any other text, is historically and culturally situated or contextualized, providing
knowledge of the context, and thus, can be studied as an important medium of
understanding history.
M. K. Gandhi is a great political and social icon of the early twentieth century
India whose compelling presence needs to be studied and understood by every
Indian to grasp the meaning of what the Indian nation is all about.
Even if one
talks about the world politics of the twentieth century, its study would be
incomplete without a substantial account of Gandhi and his political ideology.
However, at the same time, it should be kept in mind that his political ideology is
not only about fighting the unjust authoritarian regime—it is also concerned with
nation-building, how to develop as a human being and how to grow spiritually as
well as accomplish the real meaning of life.
In that sense, if one talks about
Gandhi merely as a political and social activist, then they are falling short of
encompassing all aspects of his contribution to humankind.
Gandhi can be referred to a philosopher who acted, fought and contributed
to the making of a moral world where man is not oppressed and segregated due
to any man-made biases, namely, caste, colour or creed.
Therefore, it is important
that we read enough material written by and on him in order to understand the
significance of Gandhi and his philosophy in present day.
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Autobiographies: My Experiments with Truth - M K Gandhi Unit 1
Today, we are living in turbulent times when the world is fighting many
violent battles and when communal violence, terrorist attacks and gender violence
are rattling the human civilization.
In these times, it is important to read about
Gandhi as we can find the true meaning of non-violence or Satyagraha through
his readings. If we can implement his ideas in these times, we would not only
have a better tomorrow but would also be able to instill hope for our future
generations.
What Gandhi practiced a century ago is till pertinent to us—not only in
terms of being ethical and moral, but also in terms of living life in the path of truth
which will make us more positive and better human beings.
Truth is an abstract
concept, but to follow truth in life is not abstract. Moreover, it quite difficult to
follow in today’s world. One is often caught in moral dilemmas. When Gandhi
was thrown out of the first class train compartment in South Africa as the whites
refused to undertake a journey with Indians, he had a moral dilemma of leaving
South Africa and coming back to India.
However, he decided to stay in South
Africa for the next two decades to fight against such racial injustices for all the
Indians settled there in a non-violent manner and emerge victorious. It is the
zeal to fight unjust practices in a non-violent manner that makes Gandhi follow
the path of truth. These are the truths that Gandhi has enumerated in his
autobiography, The Story of My Experiments with Truth, which hold true even
today.
The man-made differences, biases, injustices and crimes have increased
manifold, making it pertinent to read about Gandhi so that we can follow his path
and make the world a moral, peaceful and meaningful place.
Self-Assessment Questions
2. Fill in the blanks using appropriate terms.
(a) Gandhi wrote his autobiography primarily due to ____________.
(b) An ____________ is not only a portrayal of the life of the person who
is writing it, but a portrayal of the times in which the person had lived
as well.
Summary
Let us recapitulate the important concepts discussed in this unit:
• Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi is one of the most well-known figures of
Indian politics and his thoughts as well as writings are referred to by
politicians, scholars, students and academicians.
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Autobiographies: My Experiments with Truth - M K Gandhi Unit 1
• Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi is known as the father of India and often
referred to as ‘mahatma’—a title given to him by Rabindra Nath Tagore.
The two great men had immense respect for each other and shared a
connection which is unparalleled in the history of India.
• When one talks about Indian English novels in the first half of the twentieth
century, we see that all the writers were greatly influenced by Gandhian
thoughts.
• At the beginning of the Gandhian era, our nation was drowned in the
darkness of British colonial presence and it needed a strong visionary to
lead the Indian mass towards the light of freedom.
The primary problem
that India had to fight against was lack of leadership, which was solved by
M.K. Gandhi.
• An autobiography is a genre which is written by a person about himself or
herself, what he or she believes in and what are the main actions of his or
her life.
• Gandhi wrote his autobiography primarily due to peer pressure.
However,
if peer pressure is an external force that drove Gandhi to write, then there
is another internal drive that made him write the Story of My Experiments
with Truth.
• Gandhi’s autobiography is a means through which we can assess his
contribution to Indian thought and freedom as well as his life and principles.
There have been many films made on Gandhi as his philosophy is still
pertinent to our life.
• M.
K. Gandhi is a great political and social icon of the early twentieth century
India whose compelling presence needs to be studied and understood by
every Indian to grasp the meaning of what the Indian nation is all about.
• Even if one talks about the world politics of the twentieth century, its study
would be incomplete without a substantial account of Gandhi and his
political ideology.
• Gandhi can be referred to a philosopher who acted, fought and contributed
to the making of a moral world where man is not oppressed and segregated
due to any man-made biases, namely, caste, colour or creed.
• What Gandhi practiced a century ago is till pertinent to us—not only in
terms of being ethical and moral, but also in terms of living life in the path
of truth which will make us more positive and better human beings.
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Autobiographies: My Experiments with Truth - M K Gandhi Unit 1
Glossary
• Satyagraha: Satyagraha literally means ‘a quest for truth.’ Gandhi used
the term to mean a kind of a lifestyle which is based on simplicity, humility,
non-violence and love for others
• Autobiography: Autobiography is a narrative written by the subject on his
or her own life which a definite objective.
It is not merely a narration of
incidents and happenings in one’s life; but the incidents are narrated from
a particular perspective
• Modernity: Renunciation of the recent past, favouring a new beginning
and a re-interpretation of historical origin
• Westernization: Westernization is a process whereby societies come
under or adopt Western culture in areas such as industry, technology,
law, politics, economics, lifestyle, diet, language, alphabet, religion,
philosophy, and values
• Racism: Poor treatment of or violence against people because of their
race
Terminal Questions
1.
How were the Indian English novelists in the first half of the twentieth
century greatly influenced by Gandhian thoughts? Discuss.
2. Write a detailed note on Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi’s life and discuss
his contribution to Indian politics.
3. What is an autobiography? What is the importance of reading an
autobiography?
4.
Why should people read Gandhi’s The Story of My Experiments with
Truth? Give reasons to substantiate your answer.
5. How are Gandhi’s writings important for us in the present times? Elucidate.
Answers
Answers to Self-Assessment Questions
1. (a) Mulk Raj Anand, R. K. Narayan, Raja Rao; (b) Untouchable
2.
(a) peer pressure; (b) autobiography
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Autobiographies: My Experiments with Truth - M K Gandhi Unit 1
Answers to Terminal Questions
1. Refer to Section
2. Refer to Section
3. Refer to Section
4. Refer to Section
5. Refer to Section
Further Reading
1.
Parel J, Anthony. Hind Swaraj and Other Writings. Delhi: Cambridge
University Press,
2. Clement, Catherine. Gandhi: Father of a Nation. London: Thames &
Hudson,
3. Kripalani, J.B. Gandhi – His Life and Thought. New Delhi: Ministry of
Information and Broadcasting, Government of India,
4. Fischer, Louis.
The Life of Mahatma Gandhi. London: Harper Collins,
5. Gandhi, M. K. Satyagraha in South Africa. Ahmedabad: Navajivan
Publishing House,
6. Gandhi, M.K. The Story of My Experiments with Truth. Ahmedabad:
Navajivan Publishing House,
7. Shukla, N.P. Mahatma Gandhi. Delhi: Manglam Publishers,
8.
Nanda, B. R. Gandhi and His Critics. Delhi: Oxford University Press,
9. Parekh, Bhikhu. Colonialism, Tradition and Reform: An Analysis of
Gandhi’s Political Discourse. New Delhi: Sage Publications,
Radhakrishnan, Sarvepalli. Mahatma Gandhi – Essays and Reflections.
Mumbai: Jaico Publishing House,
The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi, volumes, Delhi:
Government of India, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Publications
Division,
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Unit 2 Explanation of the Autobiography - I
Structure
Introduction
Objectives
The Story of My Experiments with Truth: An Introduction
Reservations towards the Venture
Summary
Glossary
Terminal Questions
Answers
Further Reading
Introduction
In the previous unit, you were introduced to Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and
the purpose for writing his autobiography, the Story of My Experiments with
Truth.
This unit discusses the introduction to the book as well as the aims and
objectives of this autobiography.
The introduction to the Story of My Experiments with Truth is written by
Gandhi himself. In the introduction, he has mentioned how he resumed writing
the autobiography at Sjt. Jeramdas’, a fellow prisoner at Yerwada Jail, insistence.
He ponders over the question asked by people regarding his autobiography,
deeming it a Western practice, something that ‘nobody does in the east’.
Gandhi
himself agrees that his beliefs and philosophies might change later in life, but
the purpose of his autobiography is to narrate his experiments with truth in life.
Furthermore, he also says that he wishes to narrate his spiritual and moral,
rather than political, experiments through this book.
Objectives
After studying this unit, you should be able to:
• Discuss Gandhi’s aims and objectives for writing the Story of My
Experiments with Truth
• Examine the main problems that occur while writing autobiographies
• Analyse the reservations of people towards Gandhi’s venture of writing an
autobiography
Autobiographies: My Experiments with Truth - M K Gandhi Unit 2
The Story of My Experiments with Truth: An Introduction
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, as we have discussed in the previous unit, is
known as the father of the nation whose contribution in achieving freedom for
India from the clutches of the British and in building India as a nation is
commendable.
Therefore, it is important that one should read his autobiography
as it recounts Gandhi’s perceptions of his contribution in making India a free
nation and in presenting to the world the philosophy of non-violence (ahimsa).
In the introduction to the Story of My Experiments with Truth, Gandhi
provides brief glimpses of the occasion which inspired him to undertake the
venture of writing his own autobiography as well as a gist of the events discussed
in it.
Gandhi writes:
Four or five years ago, at the instance of some of my nearest co-workers,
I agreed to write my autobiography. I made the start, but scarcely had I
turned over the first sheet when riots broke out in Bombay and the work
remained at a standstill. Then followed a series of events which culminated
in my imprisonment at Yeravda.
Sjt. Jeramdas, who was one of my
fellow-prisoners there, asked me to put everything else on one side and
finish writing the autobiography . . . I should indeed have finished the
autobiography had I gone through my full term of imprisonment at Yeravda,
for there was still a year left to complete the task, when I was discharged.
Thus, Gandhi utilized his stay in the Yerwada Jail by writing his
autobiography.
When he was released from jail, Gandhi started writing his
autobiography for Navajivan. He wrote chapters week by week so that it could
be serially published in the magazine.
Writing autobiographies was a practice prevalent in the Western countries
which led to initial doubts. Some also questioned his decision as few people,
who had attempted to write their autobiographies, were directly influenced by
the Western thoughts and philosophy.
Moreover, there is another problem that occurs while writing
autobiographies.
Writing down one’s own beliefs, thoughts and philosophies,
which may change from time to time and is in a constant process of evolving, is
a difficult process, needing thorough planning and perspective. Thus, what Gandhi
wrote at a particular point of time cannot be true for all instances as he may
outgrow that belief and thought himself at another point.
This was another
problem pointed out to him by his supporters.
Instead of all these initial problems and arguments, Gandhi continued
writing as it is not a typical autobiography which merely enumerates the incidents
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Autobiographies: My Experiments with Truth - M K Gandhi Unit 2
and actions of his life, but portrays, as the title suggests, Gandhi’s experiments
with truths.
Gandhi wrote in the introduction:
I simply want to tell the story of my numerous experiments with truth,
and as my life consists of nothing but those experiments, it is true that
the story will take the shape of an autobiography. But I shall not mind, if
every page of it speaks only of my experiments. I believe, or at any rate
flatter myself with the belief, that a connected account of all these
experiments will not be without benefit to the reader.
My experiments in
the political field are now known, not only in India, but to a certain extent
to the ‘civilized’ world. For me, they have not much value; and the title of
Mahatma that they have won for me has, therefore, even less.
Moreover, his life encompasses his experiments in the spiritual field. Gandhi
himself says:
What I want to achieve,—what I have been striving and pining to achieve
these thirty years—is self-realization, to see God face to face, to attain
Moksha.
I live and move and have my being in pursuit of this goal. All that
I do by way of speaking and writing, and all my ventures in the political
field, are directed to this same end. But as I have all along believed that
what is possible for one is possible for all, my experiments have not
been conducted in the closet, but in the open; and I do not think that this
fact detracts from their spiritual value.
There are some things which are
known only to oneself and one’s Maker. These are clearly incommunicable.
The experiments I am about to relate are not such. But they are spiritual
or rather moral; for the essence of religion is morality.
Gandhi says that he will be objective and dispassionate in his narration of
experiments which is absolutely essential for writing an autobiography.
His
objective is not to discuss ‘academic principles’ of the truth but to deal with the
practical applications of these truths in his life. Thus, the experiments would
include non-violence and celibacy. Furthermore, he himself says:
This truth is not only truthfulness in word, but truthfulness in thought
also, and not only the relative truth of our conception, but the Absolute
Truth, the Eternal Principle, that is God.’
He also states that there are innumerable definitions of God as His
manifestations are numerous.
However, Gandhi believes in worshipping God
as Truth. He states—‘I have not yet found Him, but I am seeking after Him. I am
prepared to sacrifice the things dearest to me in pursuit of this quest.’
M. K. Gandhi further added:
Even if the sacrifice demanded be my very life, I hope I may be prepared
to give it. But as long as I have not realized this Absolute Truth, so long
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Autobiographies: My Experiments with Truth - M K Gandhi Unit 2
must I hold by the relative truth as I have conceived it. That relative truth
must, meanwhile, be my beacon, my shield and buckler. Though this
path is strait and narrow and sharp as the razor’s edge, for me it has
been the quickest and easiest. … Often in my progress I have had faint
glimpses of the Absolute Truth, God, and daily the conviction is growing
upon me that He alone is real and all else is unreal.
Let those who wish,
realize how the conviction has grown upon me; let them share my
experiments and share also my conviction if they can.
He then goes on to narrate how, in the subsequent chapters of his
autobiography, the readers may expect to discover his quest and experiments
with truth and that there is no pride in providing all these details to the readers.
Moreover, Gandhi says that his voice is not authoritative in the sense that the
experiments he described are merely for illustrations and these experiments of
Satyagraha are not meant to talk about how good he was in his experiments.
He
says:
My purpose is to describe experiments in the science of Satyagraha,
not to say how good I am. In judging myself I shall try to be as harsh as
truth, as I want others also to be. Measuring myself by that standard I
must exclaim with Surdas:
Where is there a wretch
So wicked and loathsome as I?
I have forsaken my Maker,
So faithless have I been.
Gandhi’s introduction to the Story of My Experiments with Truth, written in
, is short but very specific about what he intends to do in the autobiography.
The initial hitches of writing an autobiography, the problems, the objective and
the summary of what one will find in the autobiography can be detected in the
short introduction.
It is an apt beginning as it provides Gandhi’s main objective
for writing the autobiography.
Activity 1
Watch Rajkumar Hirani’s famous movie Lage Raho Munna Bhai. How does
the main protagonist imbibe and portray the principles of Gandhian philosophy
in the movie? Write a brief synopsis on this aspect of the movie.
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Autobiographies: My Experiments with Truth - M K Gandhi Unit 2
Reservations towards the Venture
Gandhi begins by talking about two reservations that people felt he would face
while writing the autobiography. Firstly, people from Eastern nations do not write
autobiographies. Secondly, people’s notions, beliefs, thoughts and philosophy
of life change with time.
Therefore, to pen these would mean that one is fixed on
a particular philosophy or belief, and people would believe that what is written is
the final statement of one’s life.
Both these reservations may seem true, but they are baseless. Regarding
the first reservation, it can be said that even though autobiographies were written
in the West initially, it does not mean that anyone from the Eastern nations are
not capable of writing one themselves.
It is not always true that only those people
from the East who have come under the Western influence can write
autobiographies. Even though the genre is of Western origin, it does not mean
that people from the East cannot adopt it. Novel as a genre was also Western,
but we have indianized the genre to suit our own purposes. Similarly, people
from the East can write different autobiographies from the Western ones and
are not merely copies of the Western model.
Gandhi, who critiqued the West, is
not following the Western philosophy by writing an autobiography but is trying to
bring forward his ideas and experiments as well as discuss how he dealt with
different aspects of his own life.
Gandhi, while writing his autobiography, is not merely providing
chronological details of his life, but is stating his experiments with truths.
These
truths are not abstract principles, but truths which find its practical applications
in Gandhi’s life.
Regarding the second reservation, one can say that a written document
is permanent, and if preserved, can be used for future reference. However, the
belief that if one writes something at a certain point of time, they cannot change
their thoughts and beliefs later, is not accurate.
For example, the writing of early
Marx differs from the writings and thoughts of later Marx. One evolves with the
process of time along with their thought process. Therefore, the logic that if
Gandhi writes about a belief or thought at a particular point of time, he cannot
change them later, is not correct. Moreover, Gandhi is not talking about a particular
truth, but about specific moral and spiritual lessons which are essentially the
same throughout.
If one talks about the greatest modern political leader that India has ever
witnessed, the name Mahatma Gandhi springs to mind.
He is undoubtedly the
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Autobiographies: My Experiments with Truth - M K Gandhi Unit 2
greatest leader of India in the twentieth century. However, his leadership is not
merely based on his political activities. A leader has a thought process which is
so distinct from other people that they are compelled to follow him.
Moreover, a
leader needs to possess excellent oratorical skills without which he will not be
able to communicate his thoughts and beliefs to the mass that follow him.
Gandhi did that through his many writings and the Story of My Experiments
with Truth is no exception.
Gandhi’s ambition in writing the autobiography is not
merely to enumerate events and incidents of his life, but to talk about those
aspects of his life which will enable readers to rise above the petty apprehensions
of life and focus on greater issues such as nation building and spiritual liberation
(moksha). These thoughts will inspire readers to pursue ideals which are
essential for building India as a nation which is different from the rest of the
world.
As the title of the autobiography suggests, the book is a narration of
Gandhi’s ideas, thoughts and concerns with the ‘truth’, the experiments he
conducted to imbibe the truth in his life as well as his social, political and cultural
engagements with Satyagraha.
Self-Assessment Questions
1.
Fill in the blanks using appropriate terms.
(a) Gandhi utilized his stay in the ___________ by writing his
autobiography.
(b) When he was released from jail, Gandhi started writing his
autobiography for ___________ magazine.
2. State whether the following statements are true or false.
(a) The first reservation people had about Gandhi’s venture was that
people from Eastern nations do not write autobiographies.
(b) Novel as a genre was of Eastern origin.
Summary
Let us recapitulate the important concepts discussed in this unit:
• Gandhi’s introduction to the Story of My Experiments with Truth, written in
, is short but very specific about what he intends to do in the
autobiography.
The initial hitches of writing an autobiography, the problems,
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Autobiographies: My Experiments with Truth - M K Gandhi Unit 2
the objective and the summary of what one will find in the autobiography
can be discovered in the short introduction.
• As the title of the autobiography suggests, the book is a narration of
Gandhi’s ideas, thoughts and concerns with the ‘truth’, the experiments
he conducted to imbibe the truth in his life as well as his social, political
and cultural engagements with Satyagraha.
• In the introduction to the Story of My Experiments with Truth, Gandhi
provides a brief glimpse of the occasion which inspired him to undertake
the venture of writing his own autobiography and its contents.
• Gandhi utilized his stay in the Yerwada Jail by writing his autobiography.
When he was released from jail, Gandhi started writing his autobiography
for Navajivan on a weekly basis so that it could be serially published in the
magazine.
• Writing autobiographies was a practice prevalent in the Western countries
which led to initial doubts.
Some also questioned his decision as few people,
who had attempted to write their autobiographies, were directly influenced
by the Western thoughts and philosophy.
• There is another problem that occurs while writing autobiographies. Writing
down one’s own beliefs, thoughts and philosophies, which may change
from time to time and is in a constant process of evolving, is a difficult
process, needing thorough planning and perspective.
Thus, what Gandhi
wrote at a particular point of time cannot be true for all instances as he
may outgrow that belief and thought himself at another point.
• Gandhi says that he will be objective and dispassionate in his narration of
experiments which is absolutely essential for writing an autobiography.
• Gandhi’s objective is not to discuss ‘academic principles’ of the truth but
to deal with the practical applications of these truths in his life.
Thus, the
experiments in his autobiography would include non-violence and celibacy.
• Gandhi, while writing his autobiography, is not merely providing
chronological details of his life, but is stating his experiments with truths.
These truths are not abstract principles, but truths which find its practical
applications in Gandhi’s life.
• The belief that if one writes something at a certain point of time, they
cannot change their thoughts and beliefs later, is not accurate.
Thus, even
after writing his autobiography, Gandhi’s beliefs and thoughts might change
with the changing circumstances.
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Autobiographies: My Experiments with Truth - M K Gandhi Unit 2
• M.K. Gandhi is undoubtedly the greatest leader of India in the twentieth
century.
However, his leadership is not merely based on his political
activities. A leader has a thought process which is so distinct from other
people that they are compelled to follow him.
Glossary
• Dispassionate: Not influenced by strong emotion, and so able to be rational
and impartial
• Celibacy: Abstinence from sexual intercourse, especially by reason of
religious vows
• Manifestation: An event, action, or object that clearly shows or embodies
something, especially a theory or an abstract idea
• Buckler: A small, round shield either carried or worn on the arm
• Hitch: A temporary interruption or problem
• Reservation: A qualification to an expression of agreement or approval;
a doubt
• Genre: A category of artistic composition, as in music or literature,
characterized by similarities in form, style, or subject matter
• Indianize: To bring (as a region) under the cultural or political influence or
control of India
• Chronological: Arranged in order of time of occurrence
• Oratorical: Relating to the art or practice of public speaking
• Apprehension: Anxiety or fear that something bad or unpleasant will
happen
• Moksha: (in Hinduism and Jainism) release from the cycle of rebirth
impelled by the law of karma
Terminal Questions
1.
What is the significance of the introductory chapter of an autobiography?
Do you think Mohandas Karamchand’s autobiography the Story of My
Experiments with Truth serves that purpose?
2. What factors made Gandhi ultimately decide on writing his autobiography?
Elucidate.
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Autobiographies: My Experiments with Truth - M K Gandhi Unit 2
3.
What are the two reservations that made Gandhi apprehensive about
writing his autobiography? Discuss.
4. Do you agree with the belief that writing an autobiography is primarily a
Western concept? Give reasons to justify your answer.
5. Why is ‘truth’ a significant aspect in Gandhi’s autobiography?
Explain in
detail.
6. Gandhi’s objective is not to discuss ‘academic principles’ of the truth but
to deal with the practical applications of these truths in his life. Discuss.
Answers
Answers to Self-Assessment Questions
1. (a) Yerwada Jail; (b) Navajivan
2. (a) True; (b) False
Answers to Terminal Questions
1.
Refer to Section
2. Refer to Section
3. Refer to Section
4. Refer to Section
5. Refer to Section
6. Refer to Section
Further Reading
1. Parel J, Anthony. Hind Swaraj and Other Writings. Delhi: Cambridge
University Press,
2. Clement, Catherine. Gandhi: Father of a Nation. London: Thames &
Hudson,
3.
Kripalani, J.B. Gandhi – His Life and Thought. New Delhi: Ministry of
Information and Broadcasting, Government of India,
4. Fischer, Louis. The Life of Mahatma Gandhi. London: Harper Collins,
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Autobiographies: My Experiments with Truth - M K Gandhi Unit 2
5.
Gandhi, M. K. Satyagraha in South Africa. Ahmedabad: Navajivan
Publishing House,
6. Gandhi, M.K. The Story of My Experiments with Truth. Ahmedabad:
Navajivan Publishing House,
7. Shukla, N.P. Mahatma Gandhi. Delhi: Manglam Publishers,
8. Nanda, B. R. Gandhi and His Critics. Delhi: Oxford University Press,
9.
Parekh, Bhikhu. Colonialism, Tradition and Reform: An Analysis of
Gandhi’s Political Discourse. New Delhi: Sage Publications,
Radhakrishnan, Sarvepalli. Mahatma Gandhi – Essays and Reflections.
Mumbai: Jaico Publishing House,
The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi, volumes, Delhi:
Government of India, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Publications
Division,
Sikkim Manipal University Page No.
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Unit 3 Explanation of the Autobiography - II
Structure
Introduction
Objectives
M.K. Gandhi: Birth and Family
Gandhi’s Views on Child Marriage
Gandhi’s Marriage with Kasturba
Summary
Glossary
Terminal Questions
Answers
Further Reading
Introduction
In the previous unit, you were introduced to the aims and objectives of this
autobiography.
In this unit, we will discuss the early years of Gandhi’s life as well
as his child marriage with Kasturba.
Today, the world may know Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi as a leader of
immense significance and a national figure who championed non-violence
(‘Satyagraha’) and driven out the colonial power from India. However, behind all
these achievements, there are many influences and contributions from people
who were close to Gandhi since his early days.
Writing an autobiography is not
only about narrating one’s achievements and milestones, but narrating and
acknowledging those people who helped them achieve all those milestones.
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi has acknowledged several people throughout
his autobiography, more so in the early chapters of the Story of My Experiments
with Truth, where he not only presents those aspects of his childhood that made
a vivid impression on his mind and heart, but also acknowledges the contribution
of his parents, teachers, family, friends and others who helped motivate and
inspire him to become the ‘Father of the Nation’.
Therefore, it is necessary to
discuss the early life of Gandhi in detail to understand his nature and personality
along with his mental and emotional disposition.
Objectives
After studying this unit, you should be able to:
• Discuss the role played by Gandhi’s parents, family and friends in moulding
his life
Autobiographies: My Experiments with Truth - M K Gandhi Unit 3
• Examine Gandhi’s views on child marriage
• Describe Gandhi’s life after his child marriage to Kasturba
M.K.
Gandhi: Birth and Family
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born at Porbandar in Gujarat on 2 October
in a respectable middle-class modh Bania (businessman by caste) family.
Though the family by caste was into trading, Gandhi’s forefathers had held
administrative jobs for a long time. His grandfather, father and uncle were prime
ministers in the Indian Princely State of Kathiawar.
Gandhi writes:
The Gandhis belong to the Bania caste and seem to have been originally
grocers. But for three generations, from my grandfather, they have been
Prime Ministers in several Kathiawar States.
For ready reference, a family chart showing Gandhi’s family line is provided
below.
Exhibit
Gandhi’s Family Tree
Gandhi’s grandfather, Uttamchand, served as prime minister in the princely
state of Porbandar.
However, due to many problems and political intrigues,
he was forced to go away from there, but was always loyal towards the
state of Porbandar. Gandhi spoke very highly about his grandfather’s loyalty:
Uttamchand Gandhi, alias Ota Gandhi, my grandfather, must have been
a man of principle. State intrigues compelled him to leave Porbandar,
where he was Diwan, and to seek refuge in Junagadh.
There he saluted
the Nawab with the left hand. Someone, noticing the apparent discourtesy,
asked for an explanation, which was thus given: “The right hand is already
pledged to Porbandar.” All of Gandhi’s family was into administrative job.
Gandhi’s father Karamchand was worked as a Prime Ministership who
then passed it to his brother Tulsidas.
Gandhi in his autobiography spoke
very highly about his forefathers as administrators and proudly presented
how they defended their grounds at any cost. About his father Karamchand
he wrote – “Karamchand Gandhi, alias Kaba Gandhi, (was) Prime Minister
in Porbandar . . . Kaba Gandhi was my father. He was a member of the
Rajasthanik Court.
It is now extinct, but in those days it was a very
influential body for settling disputes between the chiefs and their fellow
clansmen. He was for some time Prime Minister in Rajkot and then in
Vankaner. He was a pensioner of the Rajkot State when he died.
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Lalji Gandhi
Gandhi’s Family Tree Ramji Gandhi
Rahidas Gandhi
Harjivan Gandhi Daman Gandhi
Uttamchand Gandhi/Ota Bapa
(First Wife – Kadavima) (Second Wife – Laxmima)
Sikkim Manipal University
Vallbhji Ratanji Pitamber Premkunver Jivanlal Karamchand/Kaba Gandhi Tulsidas
(First Wife) (Second Wife) (Third Wife) (Fourth Wife – Putlima)
Muliben Pankunvarben X Laxmidas/Kalidas Raliyatben/Gokiben Karsandas Mohandas
(Kasturba)
Harilal Manilal Ramdas Devadas
(Gulabben/Chanchalben) (Sushilaben) (Nirmalaben) (Lakshmi)
Rami Kantilal Rasik Manuben
(Kunverji Parekh) (Saraswati) (Surendra Masharuwala)
Prabhodh Nilam Navmalika/Sudha Shantikumar Pradip Urmi
(Madahvi) (Yogendra Parikh) (Vrajlal Vajjariya) (Susan) (Mangla) (Bhupat Desai)
Sonal Parag Sunil Samir Panil Manisha Ravi Anjali Anita Alka Anne Priya Medha Mrinal Renu
Autobiographies: My Experiments with Truth - M K Gandhi
(Bharat) (Pooja) (Ragini) (Naimish) (Rajesh) (Sheetal) (Nisha)
Rachna Gaurav Prachi Darshan Mili Daksh Neel Aakash
Siddharth Gopi Parth
Ansuya Sarthak Aneni
(Mohan Parikh)
Sita Arun Ila Sumitra Kanu/Kahandas Usha
Lekha Rahul (Shashikant Dhupeliya) (Sunanda) (Ramgovin Mevalal) (Gajanan Kulkarni) (Harish Gokani)
(Shivalaxmi)
(Bala) (Nilima)
Satish Uma Keerti Tushar Archana Kedar Kush Asha Ashish Arti Ram Krishna Sonali Anand Sanjay
Dev Amal Tara Rajmohan Ramchandra Gopalkrishna
(Nima) Avani Anup (Dr.
Joyti Prasad Battacharjee) (Usha) (Indu) (Tara)
(Ketan) Sukanya Vinayak Supriya Devadatta Leela Divya Amrita
(Mr. Vivek Bharatram) (Louise Versteegh) (Travis Zadeh) (Rustam Vania) (Mukund Venkatesh)
Akshar Vidur Bharatram Ava Siya
Anoushka Lakshmi Andrea Tara
Ananya
Page No. 31
Unit 3
Autobiographies: My Experiments with Truth - M K Gandhi Unit 3
Karamchand Gandhi, Gandhi’s father, as Gandhi narrates in his
autobiography, had not received any formal education.
However, his
experience of the world made him a wise man. Moreover, as Gandhi pointed
out, he was ‘a lover of his clan, truthful, brave and generous, but short-
tempered.’ Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was the fourth and last child
from his father’s fourth and last marriage. As discussed earlier, Gandhi’s
family held administrative jobs, and therefore, was quite affluent and cultured.
Gandhi’s elder brother, Laxmidas, practised law in Rajkot and later became
a treasury official in the Porbandar government.
Karsandas, the other brother,
served as Sub-Inspector of Police in Porbandar. Both brothers died while
Gandhi was still alive. His sister, Raliyatben, four years his senior, survived
him. Monia, as the family affectionately called Mohandas, received the special
treatment often accorded to the youngest child, and a nurse named Rambha
was engaged to look after him.
Though Gandhi talks about his family
members in high esteem, his warmest affection is for his mother, Putlibai,
whom Gandhi praises in his autobiography for her ‘saintliness’ and her ‘deeply
religious’ nature. Writing about her in his autobiography, Mohandas
Karamchand Gandhi states:
The outstanding impression my mother has left on my memory is that of
saintliness.
She was deeply religious. She would not think of taking her
meals without her daily prayers. Going to ‘Haveli’ – the Vaishnava temple
– was one of her daily duties. As far as my memory can go back, I do not
remember her ever having missed the ‘Chaturmas’. (Literally, a period of
four months. A vow of fasting and semi-fasting is taken by the devout
during the four months of the rains.) She would take the hardest vows
and keep them without flinching.
Illness was no excuse for relaxing them.
I can recall her once falling ill, when she was observing the ‘Chandrayana’
vow, but the illness was not allowed to interrupt the observance. To keep
two or three consecutive fasts was nothing to her. Living on one meal a
day during ‘Chaturmas’ was a habit with her.
Not content with that, she
fasted every alternate day during one ‘Chaturmas’. During another
‘Chaturmas’ she vowed not to have food without seeing the sun. We
children on those days would stand, staring at the sky, waiting to announce
the appearance of the sun to our mother. Everyone knows that at the
height of the rainy season, the sun often does not condescend to show
his face.
And I remember days when, at his sudden appearance, we
would rush and announce it to her. She would run out to see with her own
eyes, but by that time, the fugitive sun would be gone, thus depriving her
of her meal. “That does not matter,” she would say cheerfully, “God did
not want me to eat today.” And then she would return to her round of
duties.
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Autobiographies: My Experiments with Truth - M K Gandhi Unit 3
Moreover, as we can observe from the above-quoted passage and after
reading the Story of My Experiments with Truth, Putlibai was well-informed
about all matters of the State and widely respected for her intelligence.
Self-Assessment Questions
1.
Fill in the blanks using appropriate terms.
(a) Gandhi’s grandfather served as prime minister in the princely state
of __________.
(b) Gandhi was affectionately called ___________ by his family.
2. State whether the following statements are true or false.
(a) Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born in a respectable middle-
class modh Bania family of Gujarat.
(b) Gandhi talks about his family in high esteem but was least affectionate
towards his mother.
Gandhi’s Views on Child Marriage
Child marriage was a regular custom during Gandhi’s childhood.
He got married
at an early age of thirteen. However, when he grew up, he severely criticized his
father for getting him married so early in life. Gandhi narrates how he did not
realize the true meaning and significance of marriage when he was married that
early in his teenage years. He got married to Kasturba, the daughter of a
Porbandar merchant named Gokuldas Makanji.
Kasturba, as Gandhi described
her in the autobiography, was ‘simple, independent, preserving and, with me at
least, reticent.’
Although Gandhi was married early, when he looked at his own marriage
in hindsight, he talks about child marriage with more concern as he thinks that it
is not justified in any way.
He wrote in his autobiography:
It is my painful duty to have to record here my marriage at the age of
thirteen. As I see the youngsters of the same age about me who are
under my care, and think of my own marriage, I am inclined to pity
myself and to congratulate them on having escaped my lot. I can see no
moral argument in support of such a preposterously early marriage.
The above-quoted passage presents his views on child marriage.
He
thought that there was no reason to make haste when it came to marriage.
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Autobiographies: My Experiments with Truth - M K Gandhi Unit 3
Even though Gandhi was married quite early, his love and passion for Kasturba
is well-known. Throughout his life, he was devoted to his wife, and in his
autobiography, he devoted a considerable space for elaborating the relationship
between him and his wife, narrating how strange the relationship was between
them in those days immediately after marriage.
Gandhi, in the early days of his marriage, came across pamphlets where
child marriage and conjugal love were discussed.
He narrates how those
pamphlets mattered quite a lot to him at that point of time. One of the things
discussed in the pamphlet was lifelong faithfulness as a duty of the husband
towards the wife. This idea of lifelong faithfulness, as Gandhi says, remained
permanently imprinted in his heart. However, this idea of faithfulness also had
an untoward effect in his life.
Gandhi narrates:
If I should be pledged to be faithful to my wife, she also should be pledged
to be faithful to me. The thought made me a jealous husband. Her duty
was easily converted into my right to exact faithfulness from her. I had
absolutely no reason to suspect my wife’s fidelity, but jealousy does not
wait for reasons.
I must needs be forever on the lookout regarding her
movements, and therefore she could not go anywhere without my
permission. This sowed the seeds of a bitter quarrel between us. The
restraint was virtually a sort of imprisonment. And Kasturbai was not the
girl to brook any such thing. She made it a point to go out whenever and
wherever she liked.
More restraint on my part resulted in more liberty
being taken by her and in my getting more and more cross. Refusal to
speak to one another thus became the order of the day with us, married
children. I think it was quite innocent of Kasturbai to have taken those
liberties with my restrictions. How could a guileless girl brook any restraint
on going to the temple or on going on visits to friends?
If I had the right to
impose restrictions on her, had she not also a similar right? All this is
clear to me today. But at that time, I had to make good my authority as
a husband!
Therefore, the idea of ‘authority of a husband’ made Gandhi and Kasturba’s
life very complex as Gandhi unknowingly tried to assert his authority as a husband
which he says was not right.
However, Gandhi emphasizes his love and passion
for Kasturba as well as how he desired a reciprocation of his affection from her
in this part of the autobiography.
Gandhi’s honesty in his autobiography finds its manifestation in every
sentence. He admits that when his father was on his death bed, he was busy
expressing his passion for his wife.
This shows that he was truthful in his narration
of his life.
Gandhi writes:
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Autobiographies: My Experiments with Truth - M K Gandhi Unit 3
If passion had not blinded me, I should have been spared the torture of
separation from my father during his last moments. I should have been
massaging him and he would have died in my arms . .
. The shame of my
carnal desire at the critical moment of my father’s death is a blot I have
never been able to efface or forget.
One needs to keep in mind here that though Gandhi spoke of his passion
for his wife in much detail in the former chapters of his autobiography, in the
latter chapters, he spoke about how one should abstain from such passions.
Gandhi’s Marriage with Kasturba
Gandhi’s marriage with Kasturba at the age of thirteen finds special mention in
his autobiography.
When he looks back at his early life, he observes it critically
and discovers that he wasted his youthful vigour without any thought of the future.
Moreover, his thoughts were that of a teenager during those years and he was
quite influenced by what he saw and read about in those days.
That a husband should have authority over his wife is something Gandhi
perceived all around him as the society was primarily patriarchal, where males
used to dominate over women and a wife is expected to obey the commands of
her husband.
Going by the traditional patriarchal norms, Gandhi tried to do the
same by asserting his authority over Kasturba and disallowing any freedom of
movement to her. As mentioned in the autobiography, Gandhi, like any male
chauvinist, enjoyed asserting his authority at that time, and whenever he could
not do so, he was pained by it. However, when Gandhi looks back at what he
did, he feels mortified and shamefully acknowledges his mistakes.
It is really
honest and courageous to accept one’s mistakes and be ashamed of it. Gandhi
presents many such instances of accepting mistakes in his autobiography,
showing the readers that committing mistakes is human but to be ashamed of
them and to correct them is what humanity is all about.
Moreover, one has to keep in mind that when Gandhi wrote his
autobiography, he did not write for himself, but for the masses.
While Gandhi
was writing his autobiography, he had already become the leader of India and
people (as they generally do) had already started following Gandhi and his sayings.
Thus, Gandhi, by narrating his own mistakes, is trying to make his readers aware
of the wrongs they commit unconsciously.
It can be seen as a precautionary
tale that Gandhi is providing to his readers so that they do not try to establish
unjustified authority of being a husband. Gandhi, being a conscientious person
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Autobiographies: My Experiments with Truth - M K Gandhi Unit 3
as well as a writer, made it a point to set examples from his own life to warn his
readers of the mistakes that he himself had committed.
Gandhi, at the same time, talks about life long obedience to one’s wife
which he came across in the pamphlets written during his youth.
Gandhi says
that these pamphlets influenced him immensely and made him ponder over
and practice those issues seriously throughout his life. Therefore, if Gandhi talks
about the positive influences that society had on his conjugal relationship, there
are negative influences like unnecessarily ascertaining the authority of the
husband at play as well.
Activity 1
Make a brief character-sketch of Putlibai Gandhi.
How was her influence
instrumental in shaping Gandhi’s ideologies and outlook towards life?
Self-Assessment Questions
3. Fill in the blanks using appropriate terms.
(a) _____________ was a regular custom during Gandhi’s childhood.
(b) Gandhi got married at an early age of ___________ to the daughter
of a Porbandar merchant, Kasturba.
Summary
Let us recapitulate the important concepts discussed in this unit:
• Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born at Porbandar, Gujarat on 2
October in a respectable middle-class modh Bania (businessman
by caste) family.
Though the family was into trading by caste, Gandhi’s
forefathers had held administrative jobs for a long time.
• Though Gandhi talks about his family members in high esteem, his
warmest affection is for his mother, Putlibai, whom Gandhi praises in his
autobiography for her saintliness and deeply religious nature.
• Child marriage was a regular custom during Gandhi’s childhood.
He got
married at an early age of thirteen. However, when he grew up, he severely
criticized his father for getting him married so early in life as he did not
realize the true meaning and significance of marriage at that time.
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Autobiographies: My Experiments with Truth - M K Gandhi Unit 3
• Gandhi was married to Kasturba, the daughter of a Porbandar merchant.
Even though Gandhi was married quite early, his love and passion for
Kasturba is well-known.
Throughout his life, he was very devoted to his
wife.
• When Gandhi looks back at his early life, he observes it critically and
discovers that he wasted his youthful vigour without any thought of the
future. He, as a teenager, was quite influenced by what he saw and read
about in those days.
• Gandhi perceived that a husband should have authority over his wife as
the society around him was primarily patriarchal.
Going by the traditional
patriarchal norms, Gandhi tried to do the same by asserting his authority
over Kasturba and disallowing any freedom of movement to her. However,
when Gandhi looks back at what he did, he feels mortified and shamefully
acknowledges his mistake.
Glossary
• Affluent: Having a great deal of money; wealthy
• Treasury: The funds or revenue of a government, corporation or institution
• Saintliness: The quality of resembling a saint; moral excellence or
admirableness
• Flinching: Making a quick, nervous movement of the face or body as an
instinctive reaction to surprise, fear or pain
• Observance: The action or practice of fulfilling or respecting the
requirements of law, morality or ritual
• Condescend: Show feelings of superiority; be patronizing
• Reticent: Not revealing one’s thoughts or feelings readily
• Hindsight: The ability to understand, after something has happened, what
should have been done or what caused the event
• Preposterous: Contrary to reason or common sense; utterly absurd or
ridiculous
• Conjugal: Of or relating to marriage or the relationship between husband
and wife
• Untoward: Unexpected and inappropriate or inconvenient
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Autobiographies: My Experiments with Truth - M K Gandhi Unit 3
• Fidelity: Faithfulness to a person, cause, or belief, demonstrated by
continuing loyalty and support
• Guileless: Innocent and without deception
• Manifestation: An event, action, or object that clearly shows or embodies
something, especially a theory or an abstract idea
• Carnal: Relating to physical, especially sexual, needs and activities
• Efface: To rub or wipe out; erase
• Vigour: Physical strength and good health
• Male chauvinist: A man whose behavior and attitude toward women
indicate a belief that they are innately inferior to men
• Mortify: Cause someone to feel embarrassed, ashamed or humiliated
• Conscientious: Guided by or in accordance with the dictates of
conscience; principled
Terminal Questions
1.
Examine the role played by Gandhi’s parents, family and neighbours in
instilling noble qualities in him.
2. Write a short note on Gandhi’s relationship with his mother Putlibai.
3. Discuss Gandhi’s views on child marriage in detail.
4. Critically analyse Gandhi’s early marriage with Kasturba.
5.
How did Gandhi assert his authority over Kasturba during their initial years
of marriage? Elucidate.
6. The idea of ‘authority of a husband’ made Gandhi and Kasturba’s life very
complex. Discuss.
Answers
Answers to Self-Assessment Questions
1. (a) Porbandar; (b) Monia
2. (a) True; (b) False
3.
(a) Child marriage; (b) Thirteen
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Autobiographies: My Experiments with Truth - M K Gandhi Unit 3
Answers to Terminal Questions
1. Refer to Section
2. Refer to Section
3. Refer to Section
4. Refer to Section
5. Refer to Section
6.
Refer to Section
Further Reading
1. Parel J, Anthony. Hind Swaraj and Other Writings. Delhi: Cambridge
University Press,
2. Clement, Catherine. Gandhi: Father of a Nation. London: Thames &
Hudson,
3. Kripalani, J.B. Gandhi – His Life and Thought. New Delhi: Ministry of
Information and Broadcasting, Government of India,
4.
Fischer, Louis. The Life of Mahatma Gandhi. London: Harper Collins,
5. Gandhi, M. K. Satyagraha in South Africa. Ahmedabad: Navajivan
Publishing House,
6. Gandhi, M.K. The Story of My Experiments with Truth. Ahmedabad:
Navajivan Publishing House,
7. Shukla, N.P. Mahatma Gandhi. Delhi: Manglam Publishers,
8.
Nanda, B. R. Gandhi and His Critics. Delhi: Oxford University Press,
9. Parekh, Bhikhu. Colonialism, Tradition and Reform: An Analysis of
Gandhi’s Political Discourse. New Delhi: Sage Publications,
Radhakrishnan, Sarvepalli. Mahatma Gandhi – Essays and Reflections.
Mumbai: Jaico Publishing House,
The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi, volumes, Delhi:
Government of India, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Publications
Division,
Sikkim Manipal University Page No.
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Unit 4 Explanation of the Autobiography - III
Structure
Introduction
Objectives
Gandhi’s Early Education
Gandhi’s Experiment with Meat
Summary
Glossary
Terminal Questions
Answers
Further Reading
Introduction
In the previous unit, you were introduced to the early years of Gandhi’s life as
well as his child marriage with Kasturba.
In this unit, we will discuss the early
episodes of Gandhi’s life which moulded him into one of the greatest iconic
figures of the twentieth century.
M. K Gandhi was one of the pioneering leaders, not only for India, but the
whole world as well. A person can be a true leader only if he is educated in the
right sense of the term.
Therefore, it is essential that we focus on Gandhi’s early
education as it deals with his character building for later life. Though Gandhi
was of a shy nature from his childhood, he was very intelligent and competent in
whatever task he undertook. He was also a very meritorious student. In this unit,
we will discuss Gandhi’s early school experiences as well as the instances of
Gandhi’s adolescent experiments with forbidden acts.
Objectives
After studying this unit, you should be able to:
• Discuss the early school life of M.K.
Gandhi
• Describe some interesting incidents from Gandhi’s school life
• Examine the instances of Gandhi’s adolescent experiments with forbidden
acts
Autobiographies: My Experiments with Truth - M K Gandhi Unit 4
Gandhi’s Early Education
In his autobiography, Gandhi also spoke in detail about his education, where he
provided the minutest details of what he underwent during his early education
years.
He started his education at a school in Porbandar, where he encountered
difficulty in mastering the multiplication table. As Gandhi was shy by nature, he
did not have many friends in school.
Soon, Gandhi’s father, Karamchand, left Porbandar for Rajkot where he
became a member of the Rajasthanik Court. Gandhi was seven years old at
that time and was admitted to primary school.
One interesting fact that Gandhi mentions in this part of his autobiography
is that he never told a lie throughout his school life, whether to his teachers or
his classmates.
As mentioned earlier, Gandhi was an introvert during his
childhood; therefore, instead of making many friends, he kept himself busy with
his books. In other words, books were his sole companion. He would reach
school exactly at the hour the school started and would come back home as
soon as it was over.
Gandhi’s shy nature persisted throughout his student life
and beyond, when he went to England to study law and become a barrister.
At Rajkot, Gandhi, after completing primary school, went on to attend a
suburban school, and then, high school. Gandhi narrates an interesting incident
when he was at the Alfred High School in Rajkot, when he was twelve years old.
A British educational inspector, Mr.
Giles, came to inspect the schools and to
examine the pupils. Students were specially trained for such inspection and
when the school inspector came, they were asked to spell five English words.
Gandhi misspelt the word ‘kettle’. Gandhi’s class teacher noticed the mistake
and asked Gandhi to copy the right spelling from his neighbour.
Gandhi refused,
as even at that age, he thought it was unethical. This incident finds special
mention in his autobiography as it shows the integrity of Gandhi’s character and
the man he was becoming. Recounting this incident in his autobiography, Gandhi
writes:
I would not be prompted. It was beyond me to see that he wanted me to
copy the spelling from my neighbour’s slate, for I had thought that the
teacher was there to supervise us against copying.
The result was that
all the boys, except myself, were found to have spelt every word correctly.
Only I had been stupid. The teacher tried later to bring this stupidity
home to me, but without effect. I could never learn the art of ‘copying’.
Yet the incident did not in the least diminish my respect for my teacher.
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Autobiographies: My Experiments with Truth - M K Gandhi Unit 4
I was, by nature, blind to the faults of elders. Later I came to know of
many other failings of this teacher, but my regard for him remained the
same. For I had learnt to carry out the orders of elders, not to scan their
actions.
People, after their demise, are remembered for the ethics and morals
they upheld during their lifetime.
An ethical person is an upright one, as was
Gandhi throughout his life. The insignificant incident of the school inspector’s
visit becomes significant in his autobiography as it portrays Gandhi’s nature and
his ethical upbringing.
There are several other interesting incidents from this period of his life.
One day, Gandhi came across a book, Shravana Pitribhakti Nataka, purchased
by his father.
It is a play about Shravana’s devotion to his parents. Gandhi, though
a child at that time, read the book with immense interest. Shravana was a
character who is known for his devotion to his parents. He carried his blind
parents by means of slings fitted to his shoulders, for pilgrimage. This image of
Shravana had a great influence on Gandhi.
Thus, throughout his life, Gandhi
was very dedicated to his parents as well as his family.
Exhibit
Shravana
Shravan is a mythological character that appeared in The Ramayana, an
ancient Sanskrit epic. He is known for his devotion toward his parents.
Gandhi biography: II in Directly taken from the 'id' field in the 'updated' table. But my purpose being to give an account of various practical applications of these principles, I have given the chapters I propose to write the title of The Story of My Experiments with Truth. T his is the Autobiography of Mahatma Gandhi translated in Gujarati.
Both
his parents were old and they demanded that before their death Shravan
should make them visit the religious places. The pilgrimage to religious
places is thought to purify souls. Shravan Kumar, the obedient but poor
young man had no means to carry on with his parents’ wishes and therefore
he decided to embark on a journey carrying his parents in two baskets on
his shoulder to the various places of pilgrimage.
According to the legend in
The Ramayana, while they were the forest of Ayodhya, King Dashratha
(who was hunting there) heard a sound near a lake and unleashed an arrow,
hoping to hit an animal. Instead the arrow had hit Shravan Kumar who had
come to the lake to collect water for his sick and aged parents. Before dying
Shravan Kumar tells King Dashratha about the blind parents who were
waiting for water.
The king took the water to Shravan’s parents who heard
what had happened and cursed the Dasaratha that he too would experience
the grief of loss of his son.
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Another such example that appealed to Gandhi was that of Harishchandra.
Gandhi said that he would never tire of watching the play Harishchandra, and
would often wonder why people were not truthful like Harishchandra.
Gandhi
writes in the Story of My Experiments with Truth—‘To follow Truth and to go
through all the ordeals Harishchandra went through was the one ideal it inspired
in me!’
Exhibit
Harishchandra
The legend of Harishchandra goes like this that he give away his kingdom
when Sage Vishwamitra asked for it and consequently lived a life of penury.
He gave his kingdom to Vishwamitra and was about to leave when the sage
asked for dakshina (honorarium) which the king had to give by selling his
wife and son to a Brahmin household.
When even that didn’t suffice for
dakshina he sold himself as a slave to a guard at the cremation ground
where his duty was to collect taxes. After many years, his son died and his
wife brought him to the cremation ground where she didn’t have the money
to pay the tax to do the last rites of their son.
The only thing that the wife of
harishchandra could pay was the only cloth she was wearing. She decided
to pay half the cloth as tax and as she was about to do it a miracle happened.
Gods arrived and praised Harishchandra for his perseverance and
steadfastness. They immediately brought his son back to life and offered
the king and his wife, instant places in heaven which Harishchandra refused
on many grounds – first on the grounds of his master, who turns out to be
God Yama (God of Death) and then on the grounds that he cannot leave his
subjects and think about going to heaven, etc.
ultimately all the terms and
conditions of Harishchandra was accepted by Gods and his son was made
the king of his kingdom.
Gandhi was a very meritorious student, as can be figured out from the
fact (as he mentions) that he obtained scholarships of four and ten rupees in the
fifth and sixth standard respectively. Gandhi says that he recollects of one such
instance when he received corporal punishment.
He said that he did not mind
the punishment as much as the fact that he was accused of being untruthful.
The incident is worthy of being recounted in Gandhi’s own words:
When I was in the seventh standard, Dorabji Edulji Gimi was the
headmaster. He was popular among boys as he was a disciplinarian, a
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man of method and a good teacher. He had made gymnastics and cricket
compulsory for boys of the upper standards. I disliked both. I never took
part in any exercise, cricket or football, before they were made
compulsory. My shyness was one of the reasons for this aloofness,
which I now see was wrong.
I then had the false notion that gymnastics
had nothing to do with education. Today I know that physical training
should have as much place in the curriculum as mental training. I may
mention, however, that I was none the worse for abstaining from exercise.
That was because I had read in books about the benefits of long walks,
which has still remained with me.
These walks gave me a fairly hardy
constitution.
The reason of my dislike for gymnastics was my keen desire to serve as
nurse to my father. As soon as the school closed, I would hurry home
and begin serving him. Compulsory exercise came directly in the way of
this service. I requested Mr. Gimi to exempt me from gymnastics so that
I might be free to serve my father.
But he would not listen to me. Now it
so happened that one Saturday, when we had school in the morning, I
had to go from home to the school for gymnastics at 4 o’clock in the
afternoon. I had no watch, and the clouds deceived me. Before I reached
the school, the boys had all left. The next day, Mr. Gimi, examining the
roll, found me marked absent.
Being asked the reason for absence, I
told him what had happened. He refused to believe me and ordered me
to pay a fine of one or two annas.
I was convicted of lying! That deeply pained me. How was I to prove my
innocence? There was no way. I cried in deep anguish. I saw that a man
of truth must also be a man of care.
This was the first and last instance
of my carelessness in school. I have a faint recollection that I finally
succeeded in getting the fine remitted. The exemption from exercise
was of course obtained, as my father wrote himself to the headmaster
saying that he wanted me at home after school. But though I was none
the worse for having neglected exercise, I am still paying the penalty of
neglect.
I do not know whence I got the notion that good handwriting was
not a necessary part of education, but I retained it until I went to England.
When later, especially in South Africa, I saw the beautiful handwriting of
lawyers and young men born and educated in South Africa, I was ashamed
of myself and repented of my neglect.
I saw that bad handwriting should
be regarded as a sign of an imperfect education. I tried later to improve
mine, but it was too late. I could never repair the neglect of my youth. Let
every young man and woman be warned by my example, and understand
that good handwriting is a necessary part of education.
I am now of the
opinion that children should first be taught the art of drawing before learning
how to write. Let the child learn his letters by observation as he does
different objects, such as flowers, birds, etc., and let him learn handwriting
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only after he has learnt to draw objects.
He will then write a beautifully
formed hand.
Two more reminiscences of my school days are worth recording. I had
lost one year because of my marriage, and the teacher wanted me to
make good the loss by skipping a class – a privilege usually allowed to
industrious boys. I therefore had only six months in the third standard
and was promoted to the fourth after the examinations which are followed
by the summer vacation.
English became the medium of instruction in
most subjects from the fourth standard. I found myself completely at
sea. Geometry was a new subject in which I was not particularly strong,
and the English medium made it still more difficult for me. The teacher
taught the subject very well, but I could not follow him. Often I would lose
heart and think of going back to the third standard, feeling that the packing
of two years’ studies into a single year was too ambitious.
But this
would discredit not only me, but also the teacher; because counting on
my industry, he had recommended my promotion. So the fear of the
double discredit kept me at my post. When, however, with much effort, I
reached the thirteenth proposition of Euclid, the utter simplicity of the
subject was suddenly revealed to me.
A subject which only required a
pure and simple use of one’s reasoning powers could not be difficult.
Ever since that time, geometry has been both easy and interesting for
me. Sanskrit, however, proved a harder task. In geometry, there was
nothing to memorize whereas in Sanskrit, I thought everything had to be
learnt by heart.
This subject also was commenced from the fourth
standard. As soon as I entered the sixth, I became disheartened. The
teacher was a hard taskmaster, anxious, as I thought, to force the boys.
There was a sort of rivalry going on between the Sanskrit and the Persian
teachers. The Persian teacher was lenient.
The boys used to talk among
themselves that Persian was very easy and the Persian teacher very
good and considerate to the students. The ‘easiness’ tempted me and
one day I sat in the Persian class. The Sanskrit teacher was grieved. He
called me to his side and said: “How can you forget that you are the son
of a Vaishnava father?
Won’t you learn the language of your own religion?
If you have any difficulty, why not come to me? I want to teach you
students Sanskrit to the best of my ability. As you proceed further, you
will find in it things of absorbing interest. You should not lose heart.
Come and sit again in the Sanskrit class.” This kindness put me to
shame.
I could not disregard my teacher’s affection. Today I cannot but
think with gratitude of Krishnashankar Pandya. For if I had not acquired
the little Sanskrit that I learnt then, I should have found it difficult to take
any interest in our sacred books. In fact, I deeply regret that I was not
able to acquire a more thorough knowledge of the language, because I
have since realized that every Hindu boy and girl should possess sound
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Sanskrit learning. It is now my opinion that in all Indian curricula of higher
education, there should be a place for Hindi, Sanskrit, Persian, Arabic
and English, besides of course, the vernacular. This big list need not
frighten anyone. If our education were more systematic, and the boys
free from the burden of having to learn their subjects through a foreign
medium, I am sure learning all these languages would not be an irksome
task but a perfect pleasure.
A scientific knowledge of one language makes
a knowledge of other languages comparatively easy.’
The above quoted passages from his autobiography, the Story of My Experiments
with Truth, envisage the man in the making.
Gandhi’s Experiment with Meat
Gandhi, as portrayed in his photographs, had a frail figure right from childhood.
Here, frailty refers to the physique and not a person’s personality and individuality.
This fact is significant as Gandhi himself discussed his physique during his
childhood quite often in the autobiography.
He mentions the fact that his physique
was frail compared to his older brother’s, and especially compared to a Muslim
friend named Sheik Mehtab, who could run great distances with remarkable
speed and was spectacular in long as well as high jumps. These abilities of
Sheik Mehtab made Gandhi wonder about his physical prowess.
Gandhi
considered himself to be a coward as compared to Sheik Mehtab—‘I used to be
haunted by the fear of thieves, ghosts and serpents. I did not dare to stir out of
doors at night.’ He also mentions how he could not sleep without a light in his
room as he was fearful of serpents, ghosts and darkness. A thought occurred to
him that Sheik Mehtab was more courageous since he consumed meat.
However,
he could not eat meat as it was forbidden in his religion. Moreover, during that
time, the debate over vegetarianism and non-vegetarian culture (European and
English culture) was already gaining momentum. Gandhi quotes a poem, which
the boys of his school often recited, in his autobiography:
Behold the mighty Englishman,
He rules the Indian small,
Because being a meat-eater
He is five cubits tall.
Furthermore, Sheik Mehtab said that if all Indians ate meat, they could
drive away the British from colonial India and will be able to make India
independent of them.
He also said that boys who ate meat did not get boils and
that many of their teachers as well as some of the most prominent citizens of
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Rajkot ate meat and drank wine secretly. All these propagandas of Sheik Mehtab
and other meat-eaters played havoc on Gandhi’s mind and he yielded.
Sheik
Mehtab brought goat’s meat and bread, and Gandhi, who rarely touched baker’s
bread, fell victim to its temptation. It is to be kept in mind here that Gandhi’s
family was strictly vegetarian. Gandhi bit into the meat but became sick
immediately. However, instead of abjuring it, he decided to continue the
experiment, which continued for some time.
But soon Gandhi realized that this
experiment was baseless and decided to be a vegetarian for the rest of his life.
There were many other such incidents recounted by Gandhi in this
autobiography. Sheik Mehtab even once led the young Gandhi to the entrance of
a brothel. Gandhi describes how the institution had been told of their arrival and
paid in advance.
Gandhi went in and found himself to be out of place
immediately—‘I was almost struck blind and dumb in this den of vice. I sat near
the woman on her bed, but I was tongue-tied. She naturally lost patience with
me and showed me the door, with abuses and insults.’ Gandhi claims that
Providence interceded and saved him.
Once Gandhi pilfered a bit of gold from his older brother, but after that, he
had a moral crisis as pangs of guilty conscience started pricking at him and he
resolved never to steal again.
He confessed to his father by making a written
statement of the crime, asking for due penalty and promising never to steal
again. Karamchand, Gandhi’s father, was moved to tears after reading his son’s
confessional statement and immediately tore up the paper and lay down in
silence. Gandhi sat near his father and wept in remorse.
The early phase of a person’s autobiography, where one narrates the
formative years of their life, birth, family and education, is extremely significant
as the incidents from this part of their life portray the person they would grow up
to be.
Therefore, it is quite important that people read this part of any
autobiography with utmost attention as it portrays the incidents that shaped the
person’s character and the significant influences on their mind. When one reads
the Story of My Experiments with Truth, they not only read about Gandhi’s
contribution to the world politics and culture in general, but also the incidents
and persons who shaped the personality of the man who we call the ‘Father of
the Nation’.
Furthermore, an autobiography is not only a study of a person’s life, but
through it we can also decipher information about the life and practices of that
period.
Thus, an autobiography is a historical document which provides a glimpse
of the period mentioned in the autobiography. The initial section of Gandhi’s the
Story of My Experiments with Truth provides a description of Gandhi’s family
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and his birth place as well as the socio-cultural and religious background of the
state of Gujarat.
Through all the incidents of his life that Gandhi describes in these initial
chapters of his autobiography, he also mentions all those incidents where he
faltered from the path of virtue and tried to do things that would bring shame to
him, such as stealing, eating meat, or his untimely passion for his wife.
Gandhi’s
main objective for including all these incidents was that he had a deep conviction
in morality and truth, as he himself states—‘One thing took deep root in me –
the conviction that morality is the basis of things, and that truth is the substance
of all morality. Truth became my sole objective.’
Activity 1
Which other famous characters from ancient texts had a deep influence on
Gandhi?
Did they help in shaping his later ideologies in life? Discuss.
Self-Assessment Questions
1. Fill in the blanks using appropriate terms.
(a) Gandhi, as portrayed in his photographs, had a __________ figure
right from childhood.
(b) Gandhi was a very ___________ student as he obtained scholarships
of four and ten rupees in the fifth and sixth standard respectively.
2.
State whether the following statements are true or false.
(a) Gandhi and his family were strictly vegetarian.
(b) The early phase of a person’s autobiography is extremely insignificant
and should not be given much attention.
Summary
Let us recapitulate the important concepts discussed in this unit:
• It has to be kept in mind that when Gandhi wrote his autobiography, he did
not write for himself, but for the masses.
While Gandhi was writing his
autobiography, he had already become the leader of India and people had
already started following Gandhi and his sayings. Thus, Gandhi, by
narrating his own mistakes, is trying to make his readers aware of the
wrongs they commit unconsciously.
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• One interesting fact that Gandhi mentions in this part of his autobiography
is that he never told a lie throughout his school life, whether to his teachers
or his classmates.
Gandhi was an introvert and instead of making many
friends, he kept himself busy with his books. Gandhi’s shy nature persisted
throughout his student life and beyond, when he went to England to study
law and become a barrister.
• Gandhi was greatly influenced by Shravana and Harishchandra. Therefore,
Gandhi was very dedicated to his parents as well as his family and followed
the path of truthfulness throughout his life.
• Gandhi, as portrayed in his photographs, had a frail figure right from
childhood.
However, this frailty refers to the physique and his personality
and individuality.
• The early phase of a person’s autobiography, where one narrates the
formative years of their life, birth, family and education, is extremely
significant as the incidents from this part of their life portray the person
they would grow up to be.
Therefore, it is quite important that people read
this part of any autobiography with utmost attention as it portrays the
incidents that shaped the person’s character and the significant influences
on their mind.
• When one reads Gandhi’s autobiography, they not only read about his
contribution to the world politics and culture in general, but also the incidents
and persons who shaped the personality of the man who we call the ‘Father
of the Nation’.
• The initial section of Gandhi’s autobiography provides a description of
Gandhi’s family and his birth place as well as the socio-cultural and religious
background of the state of Gujarat.
• Through all the incidents of his life that Gandhi describes in these initial
chapters of his autobiography, he also mentions all those incidents where
he faltered from the path of virtue and tried to do things that would bring
shame to him, such as stealing, eating meat, or his untimely passion for
his wife.
Gandhi’s main objective for including all these incidents was that
he had a deep conviction in morality and truth.
Glossary
• Barrister: A lawyer entitled to practice as an advocate, particularly in the
higher courts
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• Sling: A flexible strap or belt used in the form of a loop to support or raise
a weight
• Honorarium: A payment given for professional services that are rendered
nominally without charge
• Perseverance: Steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or
delay in achieving success
• Steadfastness: Loyalty in the face of trouble and difficulty
• Meritorious: Deserving reward or praise
• Corporal punishment: Physical punishment, such as caning or flogging
• Reminiscence: The act or process of recollecting past experiences or
events
• Industrious: Diligent and hard-working
• Vernacular: The language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people in a
particular country or region
• Prowess: Skill or expertise in a particular activity or field
• Momentum: The quantity of motion of a moving body, measured as a
product of its mass and velocity
• Propaganda: Information, especially of a biased or misleading nature,
used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view
• Brothel: A house of prostitution
• Intercede: Intervene on behalf of another
• Pilfer: To steal something, typically of small value
• Remorse: Deep regret or guilt for a wrong committed
• Falter: To be unsteady in purpose or action, as from loss of courage or
confidence; waver
Terminal Questions
1.
Describe in detail the student life of Gandhi in India and discuss two
important incidents that Gandhi narrates from this part of his life.
2. Why was the visit of the school inspector a significant incident during
Gandhi’s school life?
3. How did the characters of Shravana and Harishchandra influence Gandhi?
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4. Why does Gandhi consider the meat-eating experience a significant aspect
of his early life? Elucidate.
5. Discuss the significant incidents in Gandhi’s early life that played an
important role in shaping his character.
6.
When one reads the Story of My Experiments with Truth, they not only
read about Gandhi’s contribution to the world politics and culture in general,
but also the incidents and persons who shaped the personality of the man
who we call the ‘Father of the Nation’. Discuss this statement in relation to
passages in the book.
Answers
Answers to Self-Assessment Questions
1.
(a) Frail; (b) Meritorious
2. (a) True; (b) False
Answers to Terminal Questions
1. Refer to Section
2. Refer to Section
3. Refer to Section
4. Refer to Section
5. Refer to Sections and
6. Refer to Section
Further Reading
1. Parel J, Anthony. Hind Swaraj and Other Writings.
Delhi: Cambridge
University Press,
2. Clement, Catherine. Gandhi: Father of a Nation. London: Thames &
Hudson,
3. Kripalani, J.B. Gandhi – His Life and Thought. New Delhi: Ministry of
Information and Broadcasting, Government of India,
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4.
Fischer, Louis. The Life of Mahatma Gandhi. London: Harper Collins,
5. Gandhi, M. K. Satyagraha in South Africa. Ahmedabad: Navajivan
Publishing House,
6. Gandhi, M.K. The Story of My Experiments with Truth. Ahmedabad:
Navajivan Publishing House,
7. Shukla, N.P. Mahatma Gandhi. Delhi: Manglam Publishers,
8. Nanda, B.
R. Gandhi and His Critics. Delhi: Oxford University Press,
9. Parekh, Bhikhu.
Colonialism, Tradition and Reform: An Analysis of
Gandhi’s Political Discourse. New Delhi: Sage Publications,
Radhakrishnan, Sarvepalli. Mahatma Gandhi – Essays and Reflections.
Mumbai: Jaico Publishing House,
The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi, volumes, Delhi:
Government of India, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Publications
Division,
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Unit 5 Explanation of the Autobiography - IV
Structure
Introduction
Objectives
Gandhi’s Education in England
Problems Faced by Gandhi in England
Summary
Glossary
Terminal Questions
Answers
Further Reading
Introduction
In the previous unit, you were introduced to the early days of Gandhi’s life—his
birthplace, family, relatives, friends and school life—along with the episodes of
his life which moulded him into one of the greatest iconic figures of the twentieth
century.
In this unit, you will learn about the various aspects of Gandhi’s stay in
England as a law student along with the problems he encountered and overcame
during that period.
When Gandhi was growing up, meritorious students dreamt of going to
England for further studies so that they could come back and establish
themselves successfully in colonial India.
Gandhi, being a meritorious student,
dreamt the same. However, it is significant to note that Gandhi, in the Story of
My Experiments with Truth, does not give much importance to his formal
education in England.
Moreover, he lays emphasis on the problems faced by
him when he decided to go to England, the alienation he suffered when he
reached there, the problem of vegetarianism he encountered as well as other
significant events that occurred, which helped him grow an individual. He also
mentions how he started working towards promoting vegetarianism in England
along with other such activities which familiarized him with the organizational
skills that are quite essential for any efficient leader.
In that sense, these chapters
of Gandhi’s autobiography are significant, not from the point of view of his formal
education, but how he tried blend with the British culture and his maturation as
an individual in England.
Autobiographies: My Experiments with Truth - M K Gandhi Unit 5
Objectives
After studying this unit, you should be able to:
• Discuss the various problems faced by Gandhi during his stay in England
• Examine the varied experiences of Gandhi overcoming the cultural barriers
in England
• Analyse the various ramifications of Gandhi’s introvert nature
Gandhi’s Education in England
When Gandhi finished his education in India after his matriculation in , it
was decided that he would be sent to England to pursue his studies in Law.
One
has to remember that going to England was not as easy as it is today since
there are many issues involving the journey and one’s stay in a foreign country.
Moreover, Gandhi, who belonged to a religious family, had to face many difficulties
before he could set sail. He had to leave behind his wife and new-born son,
Harilal.
His mother was against the idea of letting him go to England as it was
primarily a meat-eating nation and there were finances to be arranged before he
could embark on the journey.
All these hurdles were soon overcome and Gandhi made up his mind to
undertake the journey with his mother’s blessings.
However, as soon as he
reached Mumbai, a new problem came up. People belonging to the caste of
Modh Bania (Gandhi’s caste) were against the idea of him going to England,
and a meeting was called to ask Gandhi the reason he wanted to venture into a
land where no Modh Bania had ever set foot. The head of the caste said to him:
In the opinion of the caste, your proposal to go to England is not proper.
Our religion forbids voyages abroad.
We have also heard that it is not
possible to live there without compromising our religion. One is obliged
to eat and drink with Europeans!
When, even after the insistence of people from his caste, Gandhi showed
the determination to go to England, he and his family were declared outcasts.
People declared:
This boy shall be treated as an outcaste from today.
Whosoever helps