Mahatma Gandhi
Introduction - Mahatma Gandhi's name is on the lips of everyone. He was the father of the nation. He was a deeply religious man. He taught and practised truth. He was a great leader, a saint, great freedom fighter and a great social reformer. He believe in simple living and high thinking. We generally call him "Bapu". He followed the path of truth and Ahinsa.
His full name is Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. He was born at Porbandar in kathiawar on 2nd October in 1869. His father Sri Karamchand Gandhi was the Diwan of Rajkot. His mother Putlibai was a novel and pious lady. His birthday is celebrated as a Gandhi jayanti throughout the India. Gandhiji wrote his famous autobiography under the title "My experiments with Truth.
His Education- At the age of seven he was sent to the school. At the school he proved himself to be only and average student. He was always regular and punctual in his class. After passing his matriculation examination he study at college. He graduated with a degree of law from the University of Bombay. Soon after he got admission into University of London. He graduated from University of London in 1891 and was appeared to England's bar exam.
Then he return to Bombay and started his practice at Bombay, but he did not do well. He was not a successful lawyer. After that he went to Africa to conduct a big law suit in a court. There he saw the bad condition of Indians. He put up a brave fight for their rights. He founded Natal Indian Congress. He was jailed with his friends. In 1914 the Indian relief act was passed. This bettered the lot of Indians.
His political work in India- Gandhiji returned to Bombay in January 1915 and spend the next 3 years hovering on the boundary of Indian politics. He declined to join any imminent political agitation. In February 1919, the British pushed through the Indian opposition with the Rowlatt Act. As a result, Gandhiji announced a Satyagrah struggle that proved to be a virtual political earth quake.
By 1920, Gandhiji was a dominant political figure commanding an influence that India never experienced before.
On 10 March, 1922 britishers arrested Gandhiji for sedition with the sentence of 6 years. He began the Civil Dis-obedience Movement in 1930. It was a practice that involved refusing to obey any order or law that were oppressive.
The Quit India movement was the greatest success with all the Indians protesting united under the guidance of Gandhiji. This was the last movement against the British and they were force to leave India. Thus, India achieved independence on 15 August, 1947.
His Death- Gandhiji always stood for communal harmony, but he himself was shot dead by a religious fanatic Nathuram Godse, a Hindu activist, on 30th January, 1948.
Conclusion- Gandhiji was a great teacher, preacher, thinkers and a soldiers He will be remembered and respected by the word for ever. The finest tribute paid to him was from General Smute who called him "a prince among man."
