Mahatma Gandhi also known as father of Nation- helped throw out white rule and gain independence to India. He followed the path of Ahimsa which was non violence concept and Sathyagrahas which strikes to gain freedom for the people of India. He did all this yet was a lawyer by profession. Gandhi was born into the Hindu Modh family in Porbandar, in 1869. He was the son of Karamchand Gandhi, the diwan (Prime Minister) of Porbandar, and Putlibai. While living with a devout mother and surrounded by the Jain influences of Gujarat, Gandhi learned from an early age the tenets of pacifist to living beings, vegetarianism, fasting for self-purification, and mutual tolerance between members of various creeds and sects. He was born into the vaishya, or business, caste. Yet wanted fight for fair rights amongst his fellow Indians.
Gandhi was responsible for many influential attributes during his years. In his younger days he studied to become a lawyer and in South Africa around the early 1880’s he become employed by a Muslim firm in Pretoria. Through this firm he became engrossed in several great efforts against the authorities. During this time it peaked his interest for the community’s struggle for civil rights and India’s desire to stand on its own.
Around 1915 when he returned to India he instantly joined the Indian National Congress as a large movement. While doing so he began to wear a simple quite simple which consisted of a white loin cloth, white shawl and sandals. This style appeals too many Indians in the rural areas who then gave him the name “ Mahatma” meaning great saint.
Gandhi philosophy revolved around three central notions: sawaraj meaning home rule, sarvodaya meaning welfare of all, and satyagraha meaning non-violence. Whereas Satyagraha was the key component for accomplishing political goals while using non- violent tactics. And sarvodaya and sawararja were used to support ideas of individual and overall improvement and renewal. With this renewal Gandhi was adamant in the belief that this necessary for India to revive itself of its history and culture and get rid of the British hovering over them.
One major accomplishment held by Gandhi led a 200 mile Salt March so that the people of India could make and gather their own salt. His goal was for the people of India not to buy salt from the British. This march is called the Salt Satyagraha which started with the Dandi March on March 12, 1930, which was a key part of the Indian Independence Movement. This crusade was entirely nonviolent against the British salt tax in India. This protest prompted a larger Civil Movement. This movement was the most momentous organized attempt to confront the British government since Non-cooperation movement of 1920-22, and was directly followed the Purna Swaraj declaration of independence by the Indian National Congress in January of 1930. Gandhi also led the Dandi march near Ahmedabad, to the sea coast near the village of Dandi. This imspiring man continued on his mile march to make salt without paying the tax the British wanted while still expanding the number of Indians joined him along his journey. Eventually Gandhi broke the salt laws in Dandi at the end of the march on April 6, 1930, thus sparking large scale acts of civil disobedience against the British Raj salt laws by millions of Indians.
Gandhi 1906 the Transval government cultivated a new Act to force registration of the colony’s population At a enormous protest in Johannesburg on September 11th that year, Gandhi went on views evolving the devotion of truth. At this time involving his followers for the first time to defy the new law and suffer the consequences for doing so. Through this act thousands of people were imprisoned include Gandhi himself. Also beaten or shot. This was all because they were refusing to register, striking , or setting their registration cards on fire. Although these were all non violent means the government was still very violent towards them. While the government was successful in suppressing the Indians protesters, the public outlook the technique of how the government handled the peaceful protester finally forced the South African general at the time to negotiate a deal with Gandhi.
A second attribute by Gandhi was made when he went on a 21 day fast to protest against the war between the Muslims and the Hindus and also to protest against Great Britain for not allowing India to be free. In March 1922, Gandhi was jailed for treason and after his trial he was sentenced to six years in prison. After about two years, Gandhi was released due to his declining health following surgery to treat his appendicitis. After his release, Gandhi found his country involved in serious violent attacks between Hindus and Muslims. As compensation for the violence, Gandhi decided to begin a 21-day fast, known as the Great Fast of 1924. At the time he was still ill from his recent surgery, many thought he would die anytime after day twelve, but he pulled through and held on for this passionate cause. This fast created a temporary peace.
Another impact created by him was when he was arrested by the police of the charge of creating a unrest and was told to leave the area. Due to this, thousands of people protested and gathered followers to stand outside the police station and courts insisting his release. Which eventually the courts unenthusiastic allowed. After his release he helped arrange strikes against the landlords, who with the help of the government signed an agreement granting the poor farmers of that area more money and control over farming and also cancel the inflation until the famine ended. It was then Gandhi was looked at by the people as Batu meaning father and Mahatma meaning great soul.
And lastly the greatest accomplishment of Gandhi was his life-long fight for the independence of India. Which fulfill his dream for his country’s independence which finally became reality on August 15, 1947. His life goal was to free India of the British’s tight hold. To even get to that point Gandhi and his devoted follow struggle to rise to the top. Gandhi played a big role in order for India to achieve independence. He encouraged Indians to do the ahimsa and the satyagraha or simply “ truth-force”. In which they purposely shows civil insubordination against the authorities. Indians had also established parties to gain freedom and eventually independence from Britain. Instances of these parties are the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League. Even though that’s true, there were many hardships on their way to top. During the great effort to self-government about 200, 000 people were killed while fighting for their liberty in which they finally succeeded because they were able to gain independence at August 15, 1947. Gandhi was the most outstanding political and spiritual leader of India especially during the Indian independence movement. He had many followers, and taught many how to protest peacefully, instead of using violence and war.
Although many know who Gandhi is numerous people do not know the greatness he has achieved. I believe he is very influential with everything he did. Gandhi stood up against the British Empire and got civil right for India while protest peacefully even thought the British hurt and killed many innocent Indians. Although imprisoned for his heroic work he never gave up. He was responsible for popularizing the concept of non violence and truth through struggle. The usefulness of these two ideas can be showed how the India used this implement to single handedly brought down the British and attempt to colonize Gandhi’s nation. I think this is incredible seeing though the British ruled several colonies for centuries yet Gandhi helped India rise and force them to leave them alone in just about thirty years. This proved that the use of non violent protest is very powerful. Most importantly a government can rule people’s bodies yet have no control over their minds. Due to these events I believe Gandhi is forever remembered in history to this day . For how he stood up for Indian civil rights, and has made a big difference for people in India today. Even after his death Gandhi is still remembered.
