the man behind 'mahatma'
A month ago, on a Sunday afternoon, I walked into the living room to find my dad and brother comfortably settled on the couch, watching Lage Raho Munna Bhai. I stood there momentarily to watch the scene unfold. there is a certain pleasure in rewatching old movies, it either takes you back in time or lulls you in the familiarity of the plotline.
The story was at a point where Munnabhai had started the radio show to preach Gandhigiri - a dumbed-down version of the Gandhian philosophy. I watched for a few minutes before drifting off to sit idly on the veranda.
As I sat there, I began to recall what little I knew about Gandhi. Images from history textbooks came to mind—him in a dhoti leading the Dandi March, his smiling face on Indian currency, terms like Satyagraha, his full name, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, his mother’s name, Putlibai, and manubhai gandhi from bhagam bhag.
I was curious about the man behind the title 'Father of the Nation.' I wanted to understand his personality, stripped of the historical context. What made him such a unique politician? I remembered skimming through a few pages of his autobiography, My Experiments with Truth, back in the 8th grade. It was given to my brother as a complementary read when he was in 11th grade. So, I decided to start there. I ordered a copy on Amazon for ₹149, committing myself to a 514-page journey.
Gandhi wrote his autobiography during his imprisonment in Yerwada Jail and published it in 1925. It’s not a complete account of his life, but offers a deeply personal glimpse into his experiences and thoughts.
To begin with, I would say, it was a painful read to complete but I was invested because of the honesty with which it was told.
He opens the book with a very raw account of his childhood and his nature, his shame for being lustful towards his wife, deceiving his parents for eating meat, smoking leftover cigarette stubs, stealing gold from his brother and almost at the doorstep committing sexual vices, explicitly showing his carnal desires and moral lapses. The honest account made me respect his story, for he held himself accountable to the truth.
Gandhi grew up with a frail demeanour and often described himself as a coward, haunted by fears of thieves, ghosts, and serpents. He didn't think highly of his abilities but was fiercely protective of his character. Insecure and physically weak as a child, Gandhi had no grand ambitions, but he was deeply committed to his sense of duty.
He left for England to earn his bar license and later moved to South Africa to practice law. It was there that his beliefs truly began to take shape.
Gandhi sought answers in religion—Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam—but none fully satisfied his quest for ultimate self-effacement or moksha. For Gandhi, truth was synonymous with God, and his unwavering devotion to truth became a defining trait.
As I continued reading, what struck me most was Gandhi’s relentless pursuit of self-improvement. He wasn’t content with holding onto mere ideals; he constantly tested them against the realities of life, refining his beliefs through experience, almost like a fallibilist.
Once Gandhi made a decision, he was resolute in sticking to it. Throughout his life, he often chose to battle death rather than break his vows. He admits to being a tough companion to live with, often putting his wife/confidants/friends in distress because of his adamant choices.
His quest for truth, which he regarded as the ultimate manifestation of God, guided him through the many trials that every person faces in life. Almost every decision Gandhi made seemed to be his own, not influenced by others or handed down to him. His belief in servitude made him stand equal in the eyes of many, as he viewed all work as equal and worthy of respect.
The book offers a close, intimate look at how Gandhi conducted himself through the different stages of his life. His character arc is profound, showing how his relentless quest for truth transformed him into the 'Mahatma'—a title he humbly disregards.
It is inaccurate to label Mahatma Gandhi merely as a politician. While he engaged in political activities and led significant political movements, his identity and impact extend far beyond traditional political roles. Gandhi’s approach was rooted in his philosophy of truth and non-violence, which guided his actions and decisions. His influence was deeply spiritual and ethical, aiming to bring about social and moral change rather than just political reform.
Yet Gandhi was the key link in driving the democratic movement.
Here’s how -
In the early phase, moderate nationalist leaders focused on arousing national sentiment and consolidating public opinion. They believed that India wasn’t ready for direct political struggle but needed to build awareness and unity among politically conscious Indians. Their efforts centred on creating public interest in political issues, organizing nationwide demands, and advocating reforms through petitions and speeches.
The basic weakness of this movement lay in its narrow social base. The leaders lacked faith in the masses. It did not penetrate down to the masses.
By 1905, a more radical phase emerged, spurred by the controversial partition of Bengal. The radicals sought complete independence and mass participation, rejecting the idea of gradual reform. Their focus was on mobilizing the masses through passive resistance, boycotts and demonstrations.
However, the influence of radicals was curtailed as the British Government played the game of ‘Divide and Rule’. While suppressing the radicals, it tried to win over moderate nationalist opinion so that the militant nationalists could be isolated and suppressed.
The third phase, defined by Mahatma Gandhi, marked a significant turning point. Gandhi integrated and reconciled the earlier approaches by launching a broad-based movement involving non-cooperation, boycotts, and Swadeshi.
His leadership awakened the masses on an unprecedented scale, unifying the nation during a time of fragmentation. He dressed in simple attire that a common Indian man could afford. A choice that none of the contemporary leaders could quite accept. This earned him the derisive title of "Half-Naked Fakir" from Winston Churchill.
Gandhi’s simple philosophy resonated with people from various backgrounds, offering solace amid diverse and conflicting ideologies. He championed the causes of the downtrodden, uplifted women, and promoted secularism.
Gandhi’s role transcended traditional political boundaries, shaping not just the struggle for independence but also moulding the national character and societal values.
Reading Gandhi's autobiography can make it hard to grasp the full extent of his impact, as the narrative often focuses on self-realization.
However, Jawaharlal Nehru captures Gandhi’s significance in his book Discovery of India, describing him as -
"a powerful current of fresh air that made us stretch ourselves and take deep breaths; like a beam of light that pierced the darkness and removed the scales from our eyes; like a whirlwind that upset many things, but most of all the working of people's minds."
Gandhi’s deep connection with the common people—understanding their poverty, frugal lifestyle, culture, language, and religious practices—was so genuine and profound that even the most resistant among them found it hard to ignore his call for a non-violent struggle for India’s liberation from foreign rule.
It becomes clear why no Indian figure other than Gandhi Ji deserves to be the face of Indian currency.
One thing that irks me though is his
An Ideal next read would be the discovery of India but it seems daunting now.