at Porbandar. Mohandas or Mohan was youngest of the three sons of
Putlibai and Karamchand Gandhi. His father had been Prime
Minister successively in three Kathiawar States. He was straight and true
as steel, known for his steadfastness and loyalty. The little house were
Gandhi was born is today known as the "Kirti Mandir".
Even as a child Gandhi was deeply influenced by his mother Putlibai’s
deeply religious and austere beliefs. He did his primary schooling at
Porbandar, and his high school at Albert High School, Rajkot. Gandhi
showed no particular brilliance, played no games, and was quite an
introvert. He read little beyond text books, but respected his teacher, and
was determined not to copy from his neighbour’s answer sheets.
Marriage with Kasturba, at the age of thirteen, was almost play. But
Gandhi began as a jealous and possessive husband; he wanted to make
his illiterate wife an ideal one. The other person he was much attached to
was his eldest brother Laxmidas. When their father was no more, it
was Laxmidas who helped to educate him and send him to England for
legal studies.
Putlibai let Gandhi go abroad only after he vowed to lead a simple &
religious life. For a while Gandhi was tempted to follow westerners. But soon
he returned to simplicity. A vegetarian by tradition he soon became one
by conviction, joining and working actively for the London Vegetarian Society.
He was called to the Bar in June 1891.
The Crossroads
In 1893, Gandhi went to South Africa to handle a case. But though his
legal work was soon over, he stayed on for 21 years, fighting against
racial discrimination and for the rights of the Indian Community.
South Africa was the turning point of his life, where his perfectly normal
life ceased to exist and he became a human rights activist, ever so staunch
in his belief of achieving independence through ahimsa (non-violence).
Ashram Settlement
In founding and running his Ashram settlement at Phoenix and Tolstoy
farm, Gandhi was much influenced by Tolstoy and Ruskin towards leading
a simple community life. The third of "the moderns" who impressed Gandhi
was Raj Chandra, the Jain philosopher and intellectual.
Service in hour of need
During the Boer war and the Zulu rebellion he helped the British Raj at the
hour of its need, by raising Indian Ambulance and Stretcher-barer Corps
which served close to the line of fire. Gandhi was awarded medals for
this service.
The India Struggle
The Natal India Congress founded by Gandhi in 1894, on lines similar
to the Indian National Congress, and later the British Indian Committee
in theTransvaal fought against restrictions on Indian trade, movement
and residence. During the campaign against the ‘Black’ Registration
Act, Gandhi lit a grand bonfire of thousands of the registration certificates.
The Homecoming
The Passive Resistance Struggle was to be long-drawn-out. Thousands
of satyagrahis suffered imprisonment, loss of property, trade. Tolstoy
farm was built by Gandhi on land donated by Kallenbach, as a colony
for housing satyagrahis families. They did farming, grew fruit, followed
simple crafts and conducted school — all noble experiment in
community living.
After Gandhi, Polka and Kallenbach were arrested and jailed. Woman
too courted imprisonment. Later the government released them and set up
the Solomon commission of inquiry C. F. Andrews and Person visited
South Africaand interceded with the Government.
Gandhiji left South Africa in July 1914. In England, enroute to India, a great
war broke out, during which time Gandhiji helped raise an Indian Volunteer
Corps. In December, Gandhiji and Kasturba sailed for India
In India with Kasturba, clad in simple Kathiawadi clothes, Gandhi turned
to Gokhale, his "Political Guru", for guidance. He was advised to closely
study the political scenario in India, while refraining for making political speeches.
Hero’s welcome
The man in South Africa, had striven valiantly, through satyagraha, for
his peoples' honour and human dignity, received Hero’s welcome anywhere.
He traveled widely north and south, mostly by third class of the railways.
Visiting Shantiniketan to meet Gurudev—Rabindranath – Tagore – was like
going on a pilgrimage.
Honoured by all
In Madras Natesan described Gandhi as the embodiment of godliness and
the wisdom of the saint Kasturba as the incarnation of wifely virtue.
In may 1915, Gandhi settled down at Kochrab, near Ahmedabad, where he
founded the Satyagraha ashram. Honours came to him-the Kaiser-I-Hind
and other medals for his ambulance services in war.
Champaran Satyagraha
Outwards trappings meant little to Gandhi. At Banaras he blamed the
Princes for their love of finery. At Allahabad he declared material progress
of little worth without morality. Gandhi's first satyagraha test in
India came in Champaran, Bihar in 1917 and it led to inquiry into the evil
Indigo system and help to end it.
Sabarmati Ashram
When in 1917 plague broke out at Kochrab, Gandhi move his Ashram
to Sabarmati Hriday Kunj became his abode ; Kasturba lived in separate
Kuti, bound by her husband’s vow of brahmacharya, close at hand were
the grounds where Gandhi gathered Ashram inmates, morning and evening,
prayer.
Satyagraha again
Lokmanya Tilak dominated Indian politics at this time. But, in 1918, Gandhi
emerged into National Leadership through satyagraha – for remission of
land revenue in famine-stricken Kheda district; also the Ahmedabad Mills-
hands’ strike, during which he fasted lest strikers weaken. At prayer
meetings under a tree, he called for discipline and concern for duties, not
merely rights.
Bitter Fruit
The end of the great war brought India no freedom, only more repression.
Gandhi called for country-wide hartal to protest against the Rowlatt Act.
Of 1919. in mosques and on beaches he preached Satyagraha;
pacified rioters atBombay and Ahmedabad; but Jallianwala in
Punjab was to witness an unprecedented and cold blooded massacre.
Jallianwala Bagh Massacre
People massed in thousands, to protest against Govt. repressive policy,
at Jallianwala Bagh. Determine to "Make an example of them", the
Government ordered troops to fired on the unarmed crowd. Hundreds died.
Martial low and a reign of terror followed. Deeply shocked Gandhi returned
his war decorations, decided to non-cooperate with a government that was
evil.
Non-cooperation is Born
The Indian National Congress at Calcutta approved of non-cooperation:
boycott of law-courts, government educational institutions and foreign
goods. Gandhi saw it as the only alternative to violence for redress
of the Khilafats and thePunjab wrongs. The founding of Gujarat
Vidyapith in November 1920 was a symbol of the national re-awakening.
Swaraj fund-Swadeshi
"Swaraj in one year" was Gandhi’s slogan. Leaders of many shades
came together, as at Madras, but few trusted Swaraj could came so
quickly. The people rising to Gandhi’s call, raise a 10 million rupee
memorial fund for Tilak who died on August1, 1920. a year, later a
spectacular bonfire of foreign cloth ushered in the era of Swadeshi.
From Yerawada to Belgaum
1922 saw an eclipse: following violence at Chauri Chaura, Gandhi
suspended non-cooperation. Arrested for seditious writings for Young
India and tried, March 18, he was sentenced to six years, but an
operation of appendicitis brought early release from Yerawada Prison.
1924 was to see him once again at helm at a Belgaum congress.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
‘Unity’ Fast
In September 1924, Gandhi imposed on himself at 21 days fast to end
Hindu-Muslim tension, an act of religion which taught him to love all equally.
It restored peace in the riot-ridden country, brought all leaders together,
let to sum cleansing of hearts. It resulted in a communal truce.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deshbandhu’s Death
1925 was a year of calamity: Deshbandhu C. R. Das, Swarajist leader,
died in June at Darjeeling where Gandhi had just spent some days with
him. It had brought nearer, the Mahatma who preached non-cooperation,
and Deshbandhu who gave fight to the Government to the councils.
Disconsolateat his death, Gandhi wrote a touching obituary in the
glow of the funeral pyre.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On many fronts
1925-28 provided two landmarks of Gandhi’s leadership; Vaikom Satyagraha
for giving untouchables use of temple roads, and the founding of All-India
Spinner’s Association. For the rest the stage was occupied by Lajpat Ray,
martyred during the Simon Commission boycott, hero of the Bardoli
Satyagraha, Motilal Nehru, author of the Constitution Report, and Jawaharlal,
champion of the "Complete Independence" resolution at the Calcutta congress.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wheel of Time
And so the Wheel of time turned on. Gandhi’s use of the bicycle- a rare
performance in order to punctual at meeting – indicated the lengths he was
ready to go. And his constant companion, the spinning wheel, remained
with him wherever he went, an instrument which spun the destiny of the
country and symbolised his identification with the poor.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salt Satyagraha
1929-30: "The Year of Grace". Gandhi was gathering his forces for
onslaught on the citadel of authority. The "salt Satyagraha" was not
merely a protest against taxing the poor man’s diet, or a disobedience of
the salt lows. In Gandhi’s eyes it was a "battle or rights against might".
While the world wondered, the "Dandi March" became the "First shot"
in this unique fight.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dandi March
Small through the chosen band, its 200 mile march to the sea recalled the
other "Great March" of 1913 Gandhi had led in South Africa. He had sent
viceroy Irwin an "Ultimatum" before embarking on civil disobedience. On
"bended knees" he had asked "for bread and received a stone instead". On
the knight of may 5, 1930, they stole of him like thieves in the night and
arrested him.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Truce and Release
India was a fire. Satyagraha, strikes, picketing, boycott of foreign goods
and no-tax campaigns were the other of the day. Lakhs were jailed.
Thousands suffered loss of limb, hundreds died on lathi charges, firing.
Sapru, Jaykar helped to bring about a truce. Gandhi was released on
June 25, 1931. while resting in Bombay, he took counsels with his
associates, he wanted peace but with honour.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Nehrus
Drawn into the political struggle, largely under Gandhi influence, Motilal and
Jawaharlal occupied the centre of the stage. At Allahabad they had presided
over, addressed meeting attended by leaders like Kripalani, Tandon, Malavia.
When in February 1931, Motilal died, Gandhi felt more than "Windowed",
said, "What I have lost is loss for ever". Jawaharlal was a rich legacy.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Karachi Mandate
The congress met at Karachi in March, adopted a resolution moved by
Jawaharlal and secondary by Badshan Khan endorsing the Gandhi-
Irwin Pact. It reaffirmed the goal of "Poorna Swaraj", authorised Gandhi to
represent it at the Second Round Table Conference in London. Congress
also extolled the bravery of Bhagat Singh and his associates who were
martyrs in the country’s cost.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Way Clear for R. T. C.
Official implementation of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact was partial, trady. There
was repression in the frontier province, tension in U. P. Gandhi stood by
the pledge to honour the truce acquainted Viceroy Willingdon at Simla
with official branches. After a second settlement, in August, Gandhi saw
the way clear for the R. T.C. ; at Bombay the nation bade him speed on
August 29.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In Quest of Freedom
Malaviya, Sarojini Naidu, Madhav and Pyarelal- his secretary Miraben,
and son Devdas accompanied Gandhi. On board S. S. Rajputana he was
in high spirits, chatted with other passengers, made friends and play with
children, held prayer meetings, spoke, examined the ship’s instruments,
dozed on the sunlit deck, and most of the time plied the spinning wheel.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friends Every Where
At Suez and port side, Gandhi received Egypt’s greetings, met Indian
deputations, talk to journalist, at Marseilles, European friends, like
Deenbandhu C. F. Andrews. Arriving in London on September 12,
Gandhi and party proceeded to the East End, the quarter of the poor
coal miners and factory hands, live in their midst of Kingsley Hall,
managed by Muriel Lester, his English hostess.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Meeting the people
Scotland Yard had provided two top detectives to guard him, but he
needed none. Wherever Mahatma went, children and woman,
simple folk and sophisticated gentry flocked round him, as when Charles
Chaplin, the famous comedian, called. And it is on record that it was
Gandhi also who made him laugh.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Talking to Leaders
Gandhi met many groups of intellectuals, social workers and students.
Addressed many meetings. He visited coal miners cottages, east
end children celebrated his birthday with candles and cakes, leaders of
all shades of thought-social, political, religious- discussed India with him;
for instance, the "Red Dean" of Canterbury, Dr. Hewlett Johnson.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Welcome in Lancashire
Gandhi visited the cotton mills District, Lancashire, hard hit by foreign
cloth boycott loom idle, chimneys unsmoking, men unemployed, woman
miserable. But when he talked to them, explained the plight of India’s
peasants, they understand him, they understand him, even cheered him.
And he took time off to attend the Dairy Animal show at Islington and to
pat the prize-winning goats.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Futile Quest
And in the midst of all his social calls, Gandhi attend to his main business,
the Round Table Conference; he pleaded fervently with the British leaders
to give his country freedom, to avoid parting of ways …. But they listened
him not, and he left Britain’s shores empty-handed. On the way home at
Villeneuve in Switzerland Gandhi met Romain Rollands, the French savant.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fresh Ordeal
1932: Returning to India, Gandhiji saw Willingdon’s Ordinance raj
everywhere: close associates, colleagues arrested. Soon he himself
was taken to Yeravda Prison. In September he fast against the
Communal Award lying under the mango tree, stirred the Hindu
conscience and led to the Yeravda Pact. On a second fast, in
May 1933, for Harijan work, he was released.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From Sabarmati to Segaon
In July 1933, after the solemn last prayer, Gandhi disbanded the
Sabarmati Ashram. In September he moved to Satyagraha
Ashram at Wardha. Henceforth, the morning walks were on
Wardha’s plains. In November, commenced his country-wide
Harijan tour, starting from Nagpur, for rousing the masses to a
sense of their duty in regard to the abolition of untouchability.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tireless pilgrimage
The story of Gandhiji is the story of his tireless pilgrimage throughout the
length and breath of the country for the emancipation of the dumb,
downtrodden masses. The tour of 1934 had for its aim the uplift of the
"untouchable" whom he called the "Hari Jans" or the children of god.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Blot of Untouchability
Gandhiji addressed meetings, spoke to people everywhere of the Blot of
untouchability and the Hindus duty to remove it. When Bihar was
devastated by the earthquake in January in 1934, he rushed their to
organize relief, but he considered disaster God’s punishment for the sin of
the Hindus.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Retirement from Congress
In October 1934, at the Bombay congress parted company. He differed
from congress in the interpretation of the goal: Poorna Swaraj for
his was much more than independence. Means mattered as
much as ends. The Congress session paved the way for the settings
up the All-India Village Industrious Association.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Constructive work
Village work, Swadeshi claimed most of Gandhiji’s time and attention.
Jamnalal Bajaj, J. C. Kumarappa were among those who teamed
up behind. He addressed constructive workers from different
parts of the country, showed keen interest in such basic things as
compost-making, vital for rebuilding the village economy.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Work and Prayer
Harijan uplift dominated Gandhiji’s mind; he held counsel with trusted
social workers as Thakkar Bapa. At the same time, he combined
with thought and the dead the act of prayer, leading the tallest of
his associates to mass prayers in the Bhangi or Harijan colony.
Meanwhile, the Government of India Act of 1935 was on the anvil.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Plague Relief
Relief to the plague-stricken had always a special appeal for
Gandhiji weather inSouth Africa or in India.
In 1935, Borsad and other Gujarat Villages suffered an epidemic.
With Morarji Desai, Sardar Patel and other trusted lieutenants,
Gandhiji toured them, stressed sanitation, and educated the
people in the riddance of rats.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Body of Mind
In his dynamic programme for the reconstruction of rural India,
Gandhiji had the support of intellectuals like Nehru and
Azad. While, in 1936, he presided over the Literary Conference
at Nagpur and extolled the virtues of literature, he lost no
opportunity to stress the dignity of labour, setting an example himself.
Segaon: Symbol of Services
The village of Segaon near Wardha in which he settled down was
to become Sevagram, the village of service. His simple mud hut
was a landmark; it draw the lofty no less than the lowly, seeking
guidance, a formula for peace among individuals, societies,
nations; His benign presence was a benediction.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Temples of Learning and of Love
In October 1936, Gandhiji went to Banaras, but on a different sort of
pilgrimage. He met Madan Mohan Malaviya, founder of the Hindu
University, a temple of learning. But Gandhiji inaugurated there the
Bharat Mata Mandir, the temple of love. Symbolic of his faith in
the future, he planted a mango tree.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
India is a Village
To Gandhiji the real India was rural India. The event of the year
1936 was the Faizpur Congress in village settings, starting,
the mode for the future. Nandlal Bose of Shantiniketan toiled
to picture rural culture. Seeing it, deeply impressed, Gandhiji
wrote "The heart, having got a little, hankers for all".
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Great Proclamation
1937 opened with Gandhiji's going on another pilgrimage, this
time to the South. The Temple Proclamation of Travancore had
thrown open the Ananda Padmanabha temple to Harijans. Gandhiji
hailed it as an "act of God". At Kanyakumari, where "three waters
me and furnish a sight of unequalled in the world", he performed ablutions.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Congress in Power
Congress came into power in seven provinces, rejected Federation,
demanded a constituent assembly. Through "Harijan" Gandhiji
spoke for the new era. In October 1937, he enunciated his concept
of a new education. Staying with Subhash Bose in Calcutta at
A. I. C. C. time, Gandhiji strove for release of political prisoners.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rest and Recreation
Poor health compelled Gandhiji to seek rest, relaxation at the Juhu beach.
But, back in Sevagram in January 1938, politics pursued him; Congress
ministries in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar had resigned. The issue came up
at Haripura Congress. With his usual solicitude, Gandhiji inspected a rural
crafts show.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On Many Fronts
At Haripura, President Subhash Bose prayed that Gandhiji may be spared
for keeping the Independence struggle above bitterness, hatred, for
humanity's sake. Gandhiji arduously worked for political prisoners
the frontier where Badshah Khan had wrought the miracle of converting
warlike Pathans into non-violent Khudai Khidmatgar.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Frontier Tours
In the Frontier Province, Gandhiji saw, at prayer meetings and others,
perfect discipline, orderliness, the virtue of silence. It renewed his
faith in non-violence, of which he repeatedly spoke to the Khudai
Khidmatgars. He saw Badshah Khan's handwork every where,
him tribute as a "man of God". The two came closer.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Fiery Ordeal
1939 saw Gandhiji face a fiery ordeal; the ruler of Rajkot, His committed a
breach of his promise of constitutional reforms to the people. After fruitless
negotiation, Gandhiji resorted to fasting, breaking it only when, aware of
country-wide emotion, the Viceroy intervened, to ask the Chief Justice
of India to adjudicate.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Within and Without
Before the Tripuri Congress, Gandhiji was busy in Delhi discussing
with Working Committee members, Jawaharlal Nehru, his trusted guide in
international problems. The Egyptian Wafd delegation to the Congress
called on Gandhiji assured him of fraternal sympathy, good wishes
in the freedom struggle.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Tripuri a Preparation, Rajkot a Skirmish"
Congress met at Tripuri in March 1939 without Gandhiji who was convalescing
after the fast. In April he had a serried of interviews with the Viceroy
over the State problem. The Rajkot award was issued on April 4; the Viceroy
wrote, assured Gandhiji of its full implementation. But Gandhiji saw trouble
ahead.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crucial Time Ahead
Gandhiji perceived in the Rajkot Award the taint of coercion and renounced
it.Rajkot had robbed him of youth. His addressing a Women Graduates'
Convocation at Bombay was the calm before the storm. In august 1939
, seeing the gathering war clouds, the Working Committee declared its
opposition to imperialist war.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unbounded Compassion
Compassion for all living things was Gandhiji's characteristic, whether
it was a new-born calf or leprosy-stricken-Parchure Shastri at Sevagram.
He founded the one, tended the other. Keenly aware of the need to
adopt a rational, common sense approach to leprosy, he even
interested himself in studying the causes.
Kamala Nehru Hospital
Gandhiji had considered multiplication of hospitals as an evil
symptom of modern civilization. But the diseases had to be
helped. And so, he gladly laid the foundation stone of a
hospital at Allahabad in memory of Kamala, Nehru's beloved wife.
A Sacred Pledge
1940: Independence Day: Gandhiji explained significance, clarified
role of students. In February, after fruitless talks with Viceroy,
Gandhiji saw widening gulf between Britain and Nationalist –
India, during visit to Shantiniketan, he pledged support to
Tagore's truly international creation, the Vishva Bharati, "the
vessel carrying the cargo of his life's best treasure".
Individual Satyagraha
At Ramgarh Congress, Gandhiji spoke of every Congress Committee as a
Satyagraha-Committee. Britain suffered grave reverses in the war. As test
of her good faith, Gandhiji demanded freedom to preach against war and
participation in it. In October, with Gandhiji's blessings, Vinoba initiated the
Satyagraha followed, after his arrest, by Jawaharlal Nehru. Soon thousands
were in jail.
Constructive Programme
In December-1940, Gandhiji published a small, 25 page booklet
"Constructive Programme: Its Meaning and Place", in the achievement
of non-violent independence, a dynamic document and covering every
important aspect of the country's social and economical life. The Working
Committee, Meeting at Bardoli, absolved him from leadership, leaving
him free for constructive and anti-war work.
The Voice of Conscience
Suspended when organising and conducting the Civil Disobedience
movement, the Harijan group of weeklies resumed publication: Gandhiji
used them as forum for the discussion of the problems thrown up by the
war: week after week appeared searching articles on subjects like: "Price
Control", "Plea for Calmness", "Desirability of Exodus", "Scorched Earth", etc.
"Post-dated Cheque"
In March 1942 Cripps came to India with an offer repeating the promise of a
constitution making body after the war till then demanding effective execution
of the war against the threat of mounting disaster in Asia, consequent ofJapan's
entry into the arena. Gandhiji described the offer as a postdated cheque;
appealed to the British to withdraw from every Asiatic and African possession,
at least from India. In other words: "Quit India".
"Quit India"
Gandhiji appealed to Chiang-Ki Shek, President Roosevelt to see the truth
behind his "Quit India" call to the British. In August first week, he groomed
the historic "Quit India" resolution at the BOMBAY A I C C. "The freedom
of Indiamust be the symbol of and prelude to the freedom of all other Asiatic
Nations…" Patel, Azad, Nehru lent eloquent support to the plea. Government's
reply to Gandhiji's call to "Do or Die" was to unleash brutal violence, arrest
leaders, rank and file.
Country in Revolt
India, deprived of her leads, whisked away to an unknown destination,
replied to the organised violence of the British bureaucracy by denying
cooperation and be acts of sabotage of railways, communication… The
people believed sanction for this lay in some instruction linked up wrongly
with Gandhiji: the Government replied with a heavy hand…
"Do or Die"
At the historic "Quit India" A.I.C. C Session in Bombay, on August 8
1942, Gandhiji asked the country to be ready to "Do or Die". Government
unleashed repression, arrested Gandhiji and other leaders at dawn, whisked
them away to an unknown destination. A few days later died Mahadev
Desai, Gandhiji's Secretary, dearer than a son, at Aga Khan Palace.
Kasturba Passes
Aga Khan Palace was to be more than a prison, a Place of Pilgrimage. For
here passed away Kasturba on Mahashivratri day, February 22 1944. She
had been the image of the noblest among Indian womanhood: simple,
self denying, loyal: Gandhiji mourned the loss of a life long companion who
had shared his battles, been unto him like a shadow.
Release from Ordeal
Jail life this time had been an agony. Bearing the cross, Gandhiji sought
through a series of letters to vindicate himself against the charges of the
bureaucracy which held him responsible for disturbances in the country.
He accused it of hastily and leonine violence, went through the ordeal of
a 21-day fast. Released, he recouped his shattered health at Juhu, hallo
wed by his prayer meetings.
Road Blocks
Gandhiji met his colleagues in the Working Committee meeting in June
1945, which supported Congress participation in the Simla Conference:
but the conference broke down. He toured Bengal, visited
Shantiniketan to lay the foundation of the Deenabandhu Memorial Hospital.
Andrews on his death bed, had told Gandhiji, "Mohan, I see Swaraj coming".
Constructive Mission
During his tour of South India, Gandhiji's preoccupation was with the
Rasthrabhasha: Hindustani; he presided over the Convocation of Hindi
Prachar Sabha, he explained at a Worker's Conference, stressed the
place of spinning in relieving-distress. Visiting the Meenakshi temple,
he explained the implication of removal of untouchability.
Transfer of Power
The Country has passed through the crisis of the Bengal famine.
The Labour Government in Britain sent a mission to India to discuss transfer
of Power. Talks and conferences were held, but the problem remained
unsolved. At last the Cabinet Mission announced its own plan, set a date for
transfer of Power. The Congress accepted Interim Government, the Muslim
League kept out.
Mission of Peace
The Muslim League declared "direct action", Calcutta ran rivers in blood in
communal strife. Noakhali caught the virus. From Calcutta, after the miracle
of his fast had restored peace there, Gandhiji went to Noakhali to restore
harmony, to wipe the tear from every eye. He went from village to village on
his mission of peace.
Lonely Pilgrim
The lonely pilgrim of peace at Noakhali was passing through his finest hour,
when he rose to his full stature as a humanist, above all politics and creeds. His
doctrine of Ahimsa was being put to its severest trails; he even confessed
his own failure in applying it and his groping for light. Nehru came to him in this
hour of agony, could not change Gandhiji's determination to "do or die" in Noakhali.
Dark Clouds Ahead
After the epic tour of Noakhali, the call came from Bihar: The mission too
was the same: restoring of peace to the land of Janaka and Tulsidas. With
Badshah Khan Gandhiji toured troubled Bihar, bringing new hope and courage
to the refugees, visiting ravaged homes and persuading the fleeing folk to
return, pledging his own life for their safety. Portents came from Delhi of danger
ahead.
The Message of Asia
Gandhiji met the Mountbattens for the first time in March 1947. The Asian
Relations Conference provided him with an opportunity to remind representatives
of Asia that her message of Atom Bomb. Asia, the cradle of religions,
had through her great teachers showed the path of wisdom.
Brotherhood of man
Asian delegations called on Gandhiji during this time for a message of hope:
Tibetans, Arabs, Jews, Indonesians, Vietnamese, Burmese tendered him
their respect. All got the same counsel: the message of Buddha.
Fraternization and not strife; non-violence and not violence, thus the
sage spoke while he spun.
Freedom Came
In August 1947, the fateful month, the call again came to Gandhiji to visit
Noakhali on the eve of Independence. But Gandhiji tarried at Calcutta to
"pour water over raging fire". He held talks with Suhrawardy and others for
bringing peace to tormented city. On the midnight of 14th, India awoke to
"Line and freedom", as Nehru said when taking pledge.
Refuge Relief
Gandhiji strove hard to bring relief to the uprooted and homeless refugees wherever
they were massed in camps; visiting them and talking to them about their
grievances; at Kurukshetra, Hardwar, Purana Quila. For the first time, in November
1947 he was persuaded to broadcast to the refugees from All India Radio
Station in Delhi.
Divided India
The National tricolour at last flew on the historic Red Fort as Netaji Subhash
Chandra Bose has once planned. But the country had been derived and left
a legacy of hatred, bitterness and feuds resulting from partition, which
were soon to flare up in another form. Besides, the refugee problem, involving
millions of people on the move, overshadowed all other problem.
Kashmir Invasion
Gandhiji had visited Jammu and Kashmir in August 1947. Communal harmony
prevailed there and Gandhiji believed that it would be a lesson to the whole of
India. But soon that fair land was to suffer fire and rapine, invaded by
raiders from across the border, inspired, instigated and led by Pakistan.
Kashmir had acceded to India and the latter was bound to defend it.
Fasting for communal peace
Communal frenzy enveloped the capital of India too and for some time
complete lawlessness prevailed. Gandhiji saw that he had no choice
but to resort to the last weapon in the armoury of Satyagraha. He under-
took a fast until communal amity was restored. It stirred the
conscience of all communities, and the leaders met and signed the
pledge for communal peace.
The Portent
Touched to the quick by Gandhiji's ordeal, India gave the 55 crore
cheque toPakistan which it had withheld. This and Gandhiji's solicitude for
the Muslim minority, part of his broad humanity, roused fanatical Hindu
hatred. At an evening prayer, on January 20, a bomb exploded,
damaging a wall. The would be assassin was arrested, but released
at Gandhiji's insistence. Gandhiji would have no security measures around
and on the prayer ground.
The Final Act
January 30 1948: the evening temple bell and the mezzin's voice call
the faithful to prayer. Bapu wends his way to the prayer ground. A man
steps forward, pretending to offer obeisance. Gandhiji salutes him. Three
shots ring out. Bapu falls, still smiling, with the words "Hey Ram" on his
lips. They take him into the house. The light that led India for decades is
extinguished, Nehru broadcasts. A gloom darker than darkness descends
on the world.
The World Mourns
They Kept the last vigil over the mortal remains of a man who had shed the
fear of death and defied all vigilance to protect him. Tired of fraternal
strife, where brother killed brother he had invited death as a long lost friend.
It had come, making of him a martyr, the like of whom the world sees once
in ages. The United Nations lowered its flag.
The Last Journey
They carried him through a million-strong crowd of weeping men, women and
children. To all of them he was Bapu, father, in an almost personal way. He
had so long dominated the country's landscape and life that he was part of it,
and it was impossible to think of them without his uplifting, elevating
benevolent presence. To the world at large India was always the land of Gandhi.
"Bapu Amar Hogaye"
He was laid on pyre of sandalwood and roses. But little did he need the
ir fragrance whose own aroma would persist till the end of time as the world's
gentlest, kindliest leader of men whose sanction was only love. High and
low, royalty and commoner grieved as the flames consumed the earthly
tabernacle of great soul. And none more disconsolate and orphaned than his
political heir, Jawaharlal Nehru.
The Holy Ashes
They gathered the ashes and filled urns with them and carried them in
procession. Thousands filed past showering flowers on the ashes of one who, in life
, had wanted none of them, refusing all adoration and honours. He claimed to be no
more than the least among them, made of the same flesh and blood. Yet he
had a spark of divinity that distinguished him from all the rest.
To the Sangam
The urns were transported over thousands of miles covering the land, as in
life
he had done in countless journeys to his people, his tireless feet
worn out in the pilgrimage of their service. And wherever the flower
bedecked train halted, once again the multitudes teemed in as they
had done before, shouting "Mahatma Gandhi Ki Jai".
Consignment to Holy Waters
And at Prayag, the confluence to Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati, the Triveni,
Jawaharlal Nehru and Devdas Gandhi consigned to the holy waters the
ashes which rendered them holier still. And so the ancient tradition of the
last Teerthan Sanskar, speeding the soul to Moksha, was completed for a man
who saw and sought no Moksha except in the salvation of people.
The World's Homage
And at Rajghat men and women of all nations came to pay their silent homage
to a man who was no royalty, whose universal mind went out across narrow
barriers of race and country, who belonged to no single nation though they
in India called him the Father of the Nation, who stood for all mankind and all
that was noble in the human spirit. And they planted the saplings of plants
and trees from all climes. "Let the winds of all cultures blow around me", he had
said.
Rajghat
And over the simple earthen mound where his body had rested on its last bed
and where the ashes had mingled with the elements of the earth, the men
whom he had led to freedom in the unique bloodless way, paid homage
to the Master; scattering flowers. Chanting the hymns of all religions to him
whose highest religion was the love of man.
The Mausoleum
He had believed not in palaces and mansions; he had lived among the hovels
of the lowliest and the lost. He had wanted no statues, no memorials built to
him. He little needed homage and hallelujahs. And yet they built around the
little earth of his cremation, a Mausoleum.
