The Legacy of Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi (October 2, 1869 — January 30, 1948)
He was a lawyer, politician, social activist, and writer who became the leader of the nationalist movement against the British rule of India. As such, he came to be considered the father of his country. Gandhi is internationally esteemed for his doctrine of nonviolent protest (satyagraha) to achieve political and social progress.
In the eyes of millions of his fellow Indians, Gandhi was the Mahatma (“Great Soul”). The unthinking adoration of the huge crowds that gathered to see him all along the route of his tours made them a severe ordeal; he could hardly work during the day or rest at night. “The woes of the Mahatmas,” he wrote, “are known only to the Mahatmas.” His fame spread worldwide during his lifetime and only increased after his death. The name Mahatma Gandhi is now one of the most universally recognized on earth.
A Timeline of Key Events
1893: Train Incident
Everyone remembers the incident when Gandhi was thrown off from a train in South Africa by the racist passengers for travelling in a First Class seat. This was Gandhi's first brush with racism - an event which fired his resolve to fight against such biased discrimination as a lawyer.
1894: Natal Indian Congress
Even though we remember him more for his actions in India, he did a significant lot for Indians in South Africa too. Founding the Natal Indian Congress, he opposed a bill that sought to deny Indians the right to vote. Even though he failed, he did take up a lot of other issues and injustices against Indians that marked the rise of this man as a fighter for justice.
1920: Boycotting British Goods
By 1920, Gandhi's position in the Congress had strengthened - and he added more spark to the 'Hartal Movement' by getting people to more intently boycott British products and encouraged them to start making their own clothes rather than buying British clothing.
1930: Dandi March
The British retaliated by passing the Salt Act which made it illegal for Indians to make their own salt, punishable by at least three years in jail. On March 12th, Gandhi (now 61 years old) travelled 320 km on foot for 24 days to Dandi to make his own salt - and others followed. This historic Dandi March - a statement in satyagraha and self-sufficiency - landed him in jail yet again.
1943: 21-Day Hunger Strike
The 73-year old Gandhi started a hunger strike that lasted for 21 days - all in the interest of Hindu-Muslim unity after the first Non-Cooperation Movement. Gandhi was staunchly against the partition of India, but he was ultimately overruled by the Muslim League.
1947: Indian Independence and Partition
It was a bittersweet year for Gandhi. Even though he saw the last of the British as the independence of India was finally a reality, tensions between Hindu and Muslim factions resurfaced and escalated into violence during the Partition. The killings and violence that rocked this mass exodus was a harsh truth that came along with India's freedom.
1948 January 12: Final Fast
Reeling from the aftermaths of the Partition, Gandhi undertook another - his last - fast in 1948 to promote peace and pressure the government to pay Pakistan after the Partition. Within five days of his fast, all his demands are fulfilled - and the communities in India promised to work against violence and promote peace. This might very well be called the Gandhi's final victory before his assassination two weeks later.
