Research Paper On Gandhi

Mohandas Gandhi was the leader of modern Indian independence. He fanned the flames of nationalism in India and created a movement called satyagraha or “truth force” that raised the people’s will to fight for their independence. Through using satyagraha Gandhi was able to reveal the injustice of the growing British power. Gandhi’s ideas of non-violence and sacrificing himself for the good of a larger cause inspired people to do the same. His ideas of equality and civil disobedience gained him more followers willing to fight for their freedom. Gandhi’s movement, satyagraha, and his emphasis on equality and a peaceful way encouraged people’s nationalism and motivation to break away from British rule and fight for their rights.

Satyagraha was

It took place in India during the 20th century during which Britain had been gradually taking power. Satyagraha was a Sanskrit word Gandhi used as a name for his nonviolent political resistance, which he had hoped would open the British government's eyes to their corrupt rule over India. He combined major Hindu concepts to create the word. “Satya means truth, and agrah means insistence. Gandhiji believes that if we use the force of truth we can fight injustice . . . Gandhiji made it his weapon” (Sheth, Kashmira 84). Gandhi believed the only way satyagraha would succeed was if the oppressed or the Indians, did not fight their oppressors, the British, but instead willingly accepted the violence. By doing this Gandhi hoped that the British would realize that their violence had no effect on the Indians and would then have no reasons for their acts of aggression (Stockdale). It also showed the truth about the unfairness and cruelty of the oppressors without harming them (Mohen, Jurate).

Gandhi would often go on hunger strikes in order to help the people. “Gandhiji is on a hunger strike until the mill owners and the mill workers settle their dispute” (Sheth, Kashmira 74). He would continue on his hunger strikes until he accomplished his goal “when Gandhiji started his fast. . . did think the mill owners would budge, but they did. They gave the workers a raise” (Sheth, Kashmira 77). Gandhi always cared about the people and he stressed the importance of equality through women. He encouraged women to get education. “He expressed his views on education . . . he said that men and women both needed an education if they were going to be equal partners” (Sheth, Kashmira 204). Gandhi also took action for equality by wearing simple clothes made by Indians in order to connect more to the Indians. “Gandhiji dressed in a small white cap, undershirt, and white dhoti. . . how a person dresses always reflects who they are . . . if he’s dressed like the poor, it will help him gain their trust and support” (Sheth, Kashmira 95). By dressing like the poor, the poor would not only trust him more but they feel more connected and equal to Gandhi as well. Gandhi’s actions of self-sacrifice for Indian independence give confidence to the people that their cause was something worth fighting for and boosted their willingness to also sacrifice