Mohandas Gandhi`s Use of Nonviolent Methods to Achieve Independence

The mission of Gandhi’s life was to help the people of India free themselves from British rule. Many people have struggled for independence. They have fought bloody battles or used terrorism in an attempt to achieve their goals. Gandhi’s revolution was different. He succeeded as an independence leader with the use of nonviolent methods. The young Mohandas Gandhi did not seem as a boy that would become a great leader. He changed as he studied in Britain and practiced in South Africa. He fought for the rights of Indians in both South Africa and India. Gandhi believed that all people in the world are brothers and sisters. He didn’t hate the English. Actually, he saw a lot that was good about them. His nonviolent means of revolution was referred to as satyagraha, which is a combination of two Sanskrit words, satya, meaning truth and love, plus agraha, meaning firmness. Many people were influenced by satyagraha.

Mohandas Gandhi was born into a Hindu family of the Vaisya caste. This was the third ranking caste in the class structure of Hinduism. This class was for farmers and merchants. The whole system was so complex that in Gandhi’s lifetime it had begun to disintegrate. Gandhi’s father and grandfather were not farmers or merchants. They were prime ministers of the tiny principality of Porbandar in Gujarat. Mohandas was extremely shy. He rushed to and from school, too nervous to talk to any of his classmates. Then a pretty and strong-willed girl was married to him by an arranged marriage at the age of 13. Her name was Kasturbai. A marriage at this age was typical in Hindu custom. He was a strict husband and kept control over actions. Kasturbai disliked this. They didn’t spend more than the first five years of their marriage together, since it was typical for the girl to visit her family. At this point in his life, he was very depressed. He was little and suffered fears that didn’t bother his wife. An athletic and older boy who was Muslim fascinated him. He told Mohandas to eat meat if he wanted to become bigger and stronger. He said the Indians were weak and small people, because they didn’t eat meat, and this is why the British, who did, had the strength to rule over them. This was against his religion, but he tried anyway. He ate the meat in secrecy, but after a few meals he stopped. He didn’t like the taste of meat and fe...

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...ndence. He demonstrated the value of love and humanity. He never hated anyone and never wanted to harm his enemy. Gandhi sacrificed his family life and personal possessions for what he thought was right. His mission started when he was insulted and decided to take a stand against it. He didn’t start out as a leader but developed into one throughout his years in South Africa. His goal in India was to gain independence for India. Even after the independence of India he sought to resolve the religious conflicts that existed between the Muslims and the Hindus. He was dedicated to serving people. Gandhi succeeded as an independence leader with the use of nonviolent methods. Satyagraha proved to be a technique that required courage, patience and life. When done properly the results were positive. This figure in world history will never be forgotten, but admired for years to come.

Bibliography

Nigel, Hunter. Gandhi. New York: The Bookwright Press. 1987

Schlesinger, Arthur. Gandhi. New York: Chelsea House Publishers. 1985

Severance, John. Gandhi; Great Soul. New York: Clarion Books. 1997

Sherrow, Victoria. Mohandas Gandhi. Connecticut: Brookfield. 1994