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The Incredible Impact Of Mahatma Gandhi: A Biography
This book is an introduction to the remarkable life of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, also known as Mahātmā, or Great Soul.
He was influential in many different ways and left a lasting impact that can still be felt today in fields like art, culture, and politics.
Listening to the audio version of Bedtime Biographies will give you the full experience of this inspiring story.
Of course, first take a few deep breaths and relax before submerging into Gandhi’s journey from his beloved India to becoming a global symbol for non-violent resistance.
This book offers a unique insight into the greatness behind his achievements and struggles, so sit back and enjoy!
Gandhi Learns A Lasting Lesson About Giving In To Lust And The Importance Of Acceptance
The first chapter of Mohandas Gandhi’s autobiography begins with introducing his parents, Karamchand and Putlibai.
They come from a merchant class known as the Modh Bania and were described by those who knew them as humble, but trying to make the best out of life.
The folktales found in the school curriculum did not just give him knowledge, but they also inspired in young Gandhi an ethical code that he sought to uphold throughout his life.
In addition to this morality, Gandhi was exposed to people from various backgrounds and religions early on in his childhood due to his parents’ hospitality.
It is thought that this experience taught him a unique appreciation of inclusion in Indian society.
Despite these influences, however, young Gandhi was still quite typical for his age and environment as he got married at 13 years old to Kasturbai while child marriage was common practice.
Though he was thankful for his marriage then, as an adult he pointed out the problems with being married at such a young age and pushed for people’s right to enter into marriage freely in order to give informed consent.
He wasn’t always so saintly though; when younger he smoked cigarettes and ate meat (though it violated their vegetarian ways) before more maturely recognizing them for bad habits.
In terms of moral failings during his marriage, he stressed over Kasturbai’s faithfulness despite her ignorance; he wished afterwards that instead of arguing with her about it he should’ve used their time together teaching her how to read and write instead.
Gandhi Leaves India To Pursue Big Dreams But Faced Unexpected Challenges Along The Way
In Chapter 2 of his autobiography, Mahatma Gandhi recounts the choices he faced in deciding his professional future.
Confronted with both approval and reprimand from within his family, Gandhi had to decide whether to give in to their wishes or pursue a different path.
His ultimate decision was to travel to England and study law at University College London.
Gandhi’s mother feared that Western societal temptations would lead him away from his moral code, so a family friend who had become a Jain monk encouraged him to take an oath while abroad – one that forbade meat, alcohol and women.
However, his caste also spoke out against this journey being taken as it was seen to violate their religious beliefs.
Undeterred, Gandhi sailed for England despite being expelled from the caste.
Once in England, Gandhi was met with temptations but managed them by finding a vegetarian restaurant near his boarding house, eventually establishing a local Vegetarian Society chapter there too.
More importantly, he managed to successfully complete law school exams and officially become a barrister just two days later.
Subsequently traveling back home after hearing of the death of his mother before setting off for Bombay where he studied further and prepared himself for practicing as a lawyer.
How Mohandas Gandhi Used His Experiences In South Africa To Fuel An Activist Movement For Change
The third chapter in Mahatma Gandhi’s autobiography covers his move to South Africa, which offered a new opportunity for him to practice law.
During his travels, he bears witness to the injustices and divisions among the Indian indentured laborers and local Black population.
Gandhi was successful in settling a court case for his client Dada Abdullah without going through expensive legal proceedings thanks to arbitration.
Moreover, Gandhi proposed that payment be broken up into installments instead of demanding all of it at once which showed the great compassion he had.
This set a precedent for others which carried into his activism later on in life.
His travels were not without consequence however; because of his worldly reputation as an activist, Gandhi was targets by an angry white mob who attempted to harm him when he returned with his family to South Africa.
But instead of pressing charges against them, Gandhi chose not to because he believed they had been misled by Natal government lies -as an act of mercy towards them despite their heinous actions against him.
Gandhi’S Response To Injustice: An Inspiring Example Of Nonviolent Noncooperation
In Chapter 4 of Mohandas Gandhi’s autobiography, he recounts how his commitment to non-violent resistance and justice was put to the test with the enactment of the Rowlatt Act of 1919.
Under this new law, the British were granted troubling powers, including the right to detain Indians for up to two years without trial.
In response, Gandhi along with other leaders called for a hartal: a peaceful protest involving fasting, prayer and a general strike throughout India on April 6th.
This extraordinary act of civil disobedience spread from Delhi throughout India following a speech given by Gandhi in Mumbai.
Although it did not succeed in stopping the Act, it did serve as an incredibly powerful demonstration for peace and nonviolence.
If you’re heading off to bed, I wish for your restful sleep and sweet dreams!
