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Mahatma Gandhi was a prominent Indian political leader who campaigned for Indian
independence. He employed non-violent principles and peaceful disobedience. He was
assassinated in 1948, shortly after achieving his life goal of Indian independence. In India,
he is known as Father of the Nation.
When I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and
love have always won. There have been tyrants, and murderers, and for a
time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fall. Think of it
always.
Gandhi
Gandhi first experimented with campaigns of civil disobedience and protest; he called his
non violent protests satyagraha. Despite being imprisoned for short periods of time he
also supported the British under certain conditions. He was decorated by the British for his
efforts during the Boer war and Zulu rebellion.
Gandhi
successfully
instigated a series of
non violent protest. This
included national strikes for one or two days. The British sought to ban opposition, but the
nature of non-violent protest and strikes made it difficult to counter.
Gandhi also encouraged his followers to practise inner discipline to get ready for
independence. Gandhi said, the Indians had to prove they were deserving of independence.
This is in contrast to independence leaders such as Aurobindo Ghose, who argued that
Indian independence was not about whether India would offer better or worse government,
but that it was the right for India to have self government.
Gandhi also clashed with others in the Indian independence movement such as Subhas
Chandra Bose who advocated direct action to overthrow the British.
Gandhi frequently called off strikes and non-violent protest if he heard people were rioting
or violence was involved.
In 1930, Gandhi led a famous march to the sea in protest at the new Salt Acts. In the sea
they made their own salt in violation of British regulations. Many hundreds were arrested
and Indian jails were full of Indian independence followers.
However, whilst the campaign was at its peak some Indian protesters killed some British
civilians, as a result Gandhi called off the independence movement saying that India was not
ready. This broke the heart of many Indians committed to independence. It led to radicals
like Bhagat Singh carrying on the campaign for independence, which was particularly
strong in Bengal.
is elusive and deceptive resolves itself into crystal clearness. Our life is a
long and arduous quest after Truth.
Gandhi
Gandhi said his great aim in life was to have a vision of God. He sought to worship God
and promote religious understanding. He sought inspiration from many different religions
Jainism, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism and incorporate them into his own
philosophy.