Friday, March 21st, 2025

Mahatma Gandhi: How a common man became the ‘Father of the Nation’, know the complete story of Gandhiji in 2 minutes


Mahatma Gandhi Biography in Hindi: Who was Mahatma Gandhi? Such a personality who is taught not only in India but in many countries of the world. Whose name is prefixed with Mahatma in respect and whom people fondly call Bapu (Father of the Nation). What things did that person do that made him/her immortal forever? Whose birthday is October 2, which is a national holiday. On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, know everything about Gandhiji in brief.

Biography of Gandhiji

  • Whom the world knows as Mahatma Gandhi, his/her real name (full name given by his/her parents) was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.
  • Gandhiji was born on 2 October 1869 in Porbandar city of Gujarat.
  • Gandhiji’s father’s name was Karamchand Gandhi and mother’s name was Putlibai Gandhi. his/her father was a Diwan.
  • Gandhiji was married at the age of just 13. his/her wife’s name was Kasturba Gandhi.
  • Gandhiji completed his/her early education from Porbandar and Rajkot. Then in 1888, at the age of 19, Gandhiji went to England to study law. There he/she took a law degree from the University College of London.

Mahatma Gandhi struggle in South Africa

Mahatma Gandhi struggle in South Africa

After becoming a barrister, Gandhiji went to South Africa in 1893 for a legal case. But when he/she faced racist comments and discrimination there, the direction of his/her life changed. Seeing the Indian community in South Africa struggling because of their appearance, he/she decided to fight for them. This was the turning point in his/her life when Gandhiji’s ideology of Satyagraha was born.

Freedom struggle and Gandhiji’s movement in India

Freedom struggle and Gandhiji's movement in India

Gandhi returned to India in 1915 after living in South Africa for more than 20 years. As soon as Gandhiji returned to the country, he/she joined the freedom struggle. For this he/she joined the Indian National Congress and soon became its prominent leader. The main movements of Gandhiji against the British in India’s Freedom Struggle were-

  • Non-cooperation Movement (1920): Gandhiji adopted the policy of non-cooperation against British rule and its laws. Under this, Indians boycotted British clothes and goods and insisted on adopting Swadeshi.
  • Dandi March (1930): March 240 miles (about 387 km) on foot to protest the British government’s salt law. It made people aware not only at the national but also at the international level against the British rule.
  • Quit India Movement (1942): During World War II, Gandhiji demanded the immediate withdrawal of the British government from India. This movement demanding the exit of the British from India and sending them back to their country gave a new turn to the Indian freedom struggle.

Gandhiji’s ideology

Gandhiji's ideology

Mahatma Gandhi lived his/her life on principles like truth, non-violence, self-reliance and social justice. Gandhiji’s main life principles were-

  • Nonviolence: Gandhiji believed that violence cannot be the solution to any problem. he/she fought peacefully throughout his/her life, without violence.
  • Truth: Gandhiji believed that truth is the greatest power. he/she had said- ‘Truth is God’.
  • Swadeshi: Emphasizes Indians becoming self-reliant by using indigenous textiles and products. he/she adopted the symbol of Charkha, promoted Khadi.
  • Sarvadharma Sambhav: Gandhiji respected all religions equally. he/she believed that the aim of all religions is human welfare.

Gandhiji’s contribution to society

Gandhiji's contribution to society

Apart from being a lawyer and freedom fighter, Gandhiji was also a social reformer. The major social issues on which he/she worked are-

  • Cleanliness Campaign: Gandhiji, who considered cleanliness an important part of life, launched many small and big campaigns for cleanliness.
  • Ending untouchability: Gandhiji started using the word ‘Harijan’ for the people of Dalit community against the word untouchable and the feeling of discrimination. It means = Hari + Jana, i.e. people of God.
  • Women Empowerment: Gandhiji not only inspired the women of India to join the country’s freedom struggle, but also fought for their fundamental rights.

Who called Gandhiji the Father of the Nation?

Who called Gandhiji the Father of the Nation?

While giving a radio message in Singapore on June 4, 1944, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose addressed Mahatma Gandhi as the Father of the Nation. Later the Government of India recognized this name. Although Gandhiji was called Bapu long before this. According to historians, during the Champaran Satyagraha in 1917, a farmer addressed him/her as Bapu (father).

Gandhiji’s death

Gandhiji's death

Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated on 30 January 1948, just 5 months after India got independence. A person named Nathuram Godse shot Gandhiji in Delhi. Gandhiji’s death brought grief not only to India but to the entire world.

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