Mohandas Mahatma Gandhi 1869 1948 Born in India

Mohandas “Mahatma” Gandhi • • • 1869 - 1948 Born in India A Hindu Civil Rights Leader Practiced “Ahimsa” (non-violent resistance) Led India to independence from Britain

Gandhi Quotes

‘An for an makes the whole world blind. ’ Mohandas Gandhi

Violence • 'I object to violence because when it appears to do good, the good is only temporary: the evil is permanent. '

Brief Summary on Gandhi

Gandhi’s Principles • His beliefs were a blend of Hindu and Christian beliefs • Non-violent resistance to end injustice • Satyagraha = truth force – convert the wrongdoer • Inspiration – Hindu – nonviolence, respect for all life – Christianity – love one’s enemies

GANDHI Mohandas Gandhi, often called the Mahatma or “Great Soul” was born in India on October 2, 1869. He and his followers threw the King of England his great armies out of India without using weapons of any kind unless you call a cotton spinning wheel a weapon! Let me quickly tell you part of his story.

Early Life of Gandhi

Once upon a time England, the country that once ruled over our United States, also ruled over India. For over 200 years it ruled over India until this tiny man, who lived a poor and simple life, changed all that. He had been a lawyer in South Africa. Here he is dressed in a fancy suit, sitting outside his law office. But when he experienced how badly the white South Africans were treating people of color, Indians like himself and black Africans, he decided to do something about it.

1869 Mohandas Gandhi was born in Porbandar, India. He was the youngest child of the Prime Minister of Porbandar.

Mohandas Gandhi was born in the state of Gujarat, India in 1869.

Early Life/Background Info • Born in Porbandar, India • Born on October 2, 1869 • Father was Diwan (Prime Minister) of Porbander • Porbander was a small state in the Kathiawar Agency of British India

Early Life/Background Continued • Mother was Putlibai • Grew up with the Jain traditions • Jainism is an ancient religion of India • Traditions were vegetarianism, religious tolerance, fasting, and compassion

Social Position • Gandhi was born into the second highest caste in Hindu society – the Ruler. Warrior Caste. Modern Porbandar, India

1876 At age seven Gandhi began to become aware of the faults and unfairness of the Indian Caste System. Gandhi, age 13.

Life As a Teenager • Married Kasturbai Makhanji at 13 years old • This was an arranged child marriage • Had 4 sons with Kasturbai Makhanji

At the age of thirteen Mohandas was married to Kasturba. The marriage had been arranged for him by his family. They had four sons.

1883 Gandhi married Kasturbai Makanji through his parents' arrangements (both age 13). They had 4 sons. * Picture to the left was taken in 1915.

Education • Average student in school • Went to England in 1888 to study law at University of London • Also learned to become a barrister • Barristers are special kinds of lawyers that have more direct contact with clients

1888 At the age of 19, Gandhi moved to London, England to study law.

• When he was 18, Gandhi came to London to train as a barrister. • He tried behaving like an Englishman and took up ballroom dancing. • We know that he took a dislike to his landlady’s boiled cabbage! • In these days he got ‘stage fright’ when speaking in court.

1891 Gandhi returned to India to practice law.

He returned to India in 1891, then accepted a job at an Indian law firm in South Africa.

Gandhi in South Africa

1893 Gandhi sails to Durban, South Africa to start a law firm.

Journey to South Africa • Traveled to South Africa in 1893 • Treated very unfairly by European people • Thrown off train and beaten by driver • Gandhi began to question Indian status in the British Empire

His experience of racism in South Africa proved to be a turning point in his life. He was refused admission to hotels, beaten up when he refused to give up his seat to a white man on a stage coach …. . …and thrown off a train when he refused to move to a third class compartment, after he had paid for a first class ticket.

1896 While in South Africa, Gandhi was thrown off a train and beaten by white South Africans – for travelling in the first class section. This began his campaign of “passive resistance” to protest the mistreatment of colored people by white Europeans.

On Your Left Side: Answer ONE of the following prompts-- • If you were Gandhi, what would you have done after being thrown off the South African train? Why? • Have you ever had an experience similar to Gandhi’s on the South African train? • How did you feel? Why? • How did you respond? Why?

1896 -1914 Gandhi outside the prison with fellow non-violent resisters in South Africa in 1908. From 1896 to 1914, Gandhi lead a number of non-violent protests, fighting for improvements in the treatment of minority Indians in South Africa. He was imprisoned a number of times, but did succeed in getting the British government to repeal some discriminatory laws.

He led huge non-violent protests to change the laws so that people working for the railroads would be treated more fairly. He started dressing in plain, white clothing that wrapped around his body, like the common people and he began to live very simply. After he had helped some of the people in South Africa get better treatment, he returned to India.

Policeman confronting Gandhi , 1913. Newspaper published by Gandhi, 1913. Gandhi in prison clothes.

South Africa Continued • Stayed in Africa longer to assist Indians in opposing a bill that did not let them vote • Helped found Natal Indian Congress in 1894 • This was a political force

Birth of Satyagraha: Civil Disobedience in India

September 11, 1906 • Birth of Satyagraha at Jewish Empire Theatre in Transvaal, South Africa. • Indians present take oath to resist pass laws. • First called “passive resistance”.

Civil Disobedience • Refusal to obey a law on the grounds that it is immoral or unjust in itself, or furthers injustice. Disobedience within a framework of obedience to law. • Appeals to the majority’s sense of justice, in order to get them to reconsider and change public policy. • Goal: to put the issue on the public’s agenda, to call attention to an unjust law. Disobedience must be open and public.

Over the next seven years Gandhi led a non-violent campaign of resistance to laws which were unfair to ‘coloured’ people. During this time thousands of Indians, including Gandhi, were flogged or jailed, and many were shot for striking or burning their registration cards.

Eventually the government was forced to seek a compromise with Gandhi, and when he left South Africa, conditions for Indian people had greatly improved.

• When he was about to return to India, he heard that a law was going to be passed to prevent Indian people from voting. • He decided to draw attention to this injustice and became an activist.

1915 Gandhi returns to India at age 45. He receives a hero’s welcome, and continues his non-violent protests against the mistreatment and discrimination of Indians.

Appealing to all Indians – Returned to India 1915 • Gandhi won the support of all groups by stressing India’s heritage – Examples • Gave up Western ways • Spun his own cotton, wore simple white clothing • Vegetarianism • Wanted to reform caste system (untouchables) • Included Muslims

On your Left Side: • What does Gandhi mean by this quote? • Referring back to what we have learned in this unit, give two examples that support his view.

Ashram/Khedi Helping the Poorest People in India

In 1915, back in India, Gandhi set up an ‘ashram’ - a self-sufficient community, where he ate a simple diet, and lived like the poorest villagers.

Kheda • Gandhi began to clean up villages in Khedi • Villages were dirty and full of crime and alcoholism • Built schools and hospitals and encouraged people to work together to stop conflicts and crimes

Kheda Continued • Arrested by police on charges of creating unrest • People protested outside jail until Gandhi’s release • Led protests against landlords until they signed an agreement • It granted farmers more control over their farming and cancelled collections until they were more wealthy • Gandhi named “Father of the nation”

At this time Indian villagers were poorly paid, and many were dying of famine. In 1918 Gandhi began a campaign to get them to stand up for themselves against the British who were ruling India.

Role of World War One

Role in World War I • Invited by Viceroy to War Conference in Delhi in 1918 • Invited to show support to Empire and to recruit Indians for war • Attempted to recruit combatants • “Appeal for Enlistment” in 1918 • Gandhi told Viceroy’s secretary that he will not hurt anybody

Actions & Reactions- Response to Rowlett Act - 1919 Hartal • The First World War saw hundreds of thousands of Indians fight for Britain. • In return for this service Indians hoped for a greater say in running their own affairs. • This was not to be. Britain actually increased the restrictions in 1919. • Gandhi felt betrayed by Britain's action. • He called a general strike - throughout India for one day. • On the day, 300 million people brought India to a standstill by praying and fasting. • Against Gandhi's wishes, violence broke out in some areas.

Role in World War I Continued • “To bring about such a state of things we should have the ability to defend ourselves, that is, the ability to bear arms and to use them…If we want to learn the use of arms with the greatest possible dispatch, it is our duty to enlist ourselves in the army. ” (Gandhi: “Appeal for Enlistment”) • On your Left Side: Why is Gandhi fighting for these rights? Since he is a pacifist and against violence, why is this issue so important? Explain.

Nevertheless, in 1919 ten thousand unarmed people attended a protest meeting in Amritsar. Without warning, British soldiers fired on the crowd, killing nearly 400 people, and wounding over one thousand. People were very shocked by this atrocity, and many more joined Gandhi’s campaign.

Push for Home Rule by Gandhi through Boycott of British Textiles

1920 Gandhi became President of the All-India Home Rule League (AIHRL), which worked towards independence from the British Empire. Soon the AIHRL begins to boycott British-made cloth, spinning their own cloth instead.

The British would have cotton grown in India, then have it picked by Indians, put on ships, shipped to England, where it would be spun into thread, woven into cloth, shipped back to India and sold to the Indian people for a higher price. In fact, Britain had laws that forced the Indians to buy only this cloth. Gandhi thought “Why should we have to buy back our own cotton cloth? Let’s spin it ourselves!” So he learned how to spin and weave cotton into cloth. He and his followers taught this old fashioned way of spinning and weaving to thousands of others.

He spun his own yarn and made his own cloth. He encouraged others to do the same, instead of buying imported British material.

This made big news all over the world. People around the world soon began to think that this wasn’t fair either. Even the workers in the cloth factories back in England thought this was not fair. These were the people whose jobs were being lost because of Gandhi and his supporters making their own cloth. Finally the laws about the cloth were changed and Indians were permitted by the British to make their own cloth.

However, Gandhi said: ‘There are many causes that I am prepared to die for, but no causes that I am prepared to kill for. ’ He developed a new non-violent way to make things right, by getting lots of people to disobey unfair laws, and to be uncooperative with rulers who were treating them badly.

How Gandhi Used Civil Disobedience to Resist the British

Resistance Against Britain • Used non-cooperation and non-violence against Britain • Spoke about how violence was evil and was not the solution to anything • Sought to complete self government and control Indian government institutions • Turned into Swaraj, or individual and spiritual political independence

Resistance Against Britain • Urged Indians to wear khadi instead of British clothes • Urged people to boycott education and law • Also urged people to forsake British titles and honors • These ideas achieved widespread success and increased peoples’ will to resist

Soon the British weren’t making money off the Indians buying their cloth anymore. The English said they had to buy the English cloth. But Gandhi and his followers refused. Gandhi and hundreds of others were thrown in jail. He would be let out of jail but he would keep spinning and weaving and keep breaking the law and get thrown in jail again and again.

Soon the English couldn’t make money off the Indians buying their cloth anymore. The English said they had to buy the English cloth. But Gandhi and his followers refused. Gandhi and hundreds of others were thrown in jail. He would be let out of jail but he would keep spinning and weaving and keep breaking the law and get thrown in jail again and again.

On your Left Side: Answer ONE of the prompts-- • In response to Gandhi’s Kheda work, why was this work so important to the development of his career as an Indian nationalist leader? Explain. • “There are many causes that I am prepared to die for, but no causes that I am prepared to kill for. ” • Do you personally agree with this stance? Why or why not? Give examples of situations to support your answer.

Satyagraha

Roots of the Idea • Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi – Led India’s struggle for independence against the British from 1915 to his death in 1948. – Advocated non-violent direct action which he called Satyagraha, meaning “clinging to the truth. ” • Non-violence a core attribute, not just a tactic • Courage, discipline & strength essential • Recognizes the unity of all living things

On your Left Side: • As we examine Gandhi’s concept of Satyagraha, create a word map or web on the left side that helps to break down the definition of the concept and explores examples of it.

Gandhi’s Satyagraha • Civil disobedience is an inherent right of a citizen and is never followed by anarchy, unlike criminal disobedience, which must be put down by a state using force. • The follower of Satyagraha “obeys the laws of society intelligently and of his own free will, because he considers it to be his sacred duty to do so. ” • Only then is he or she able to judge what laws are just and unjust, and resist the unjust laws in “well-defined circumstances. ”

Gandhi’s Satyagraha • The difference between criminals and the civil disobedient: • “The lawbreaker breaks the law surreptitiously and tries to avoid the penalty. The civil resister ever obeys the laws of the State to which he belongs, not out of fear. . . but because he considers them to be good for the welfare of society. But there come occasions, generally rare, when he considers certain laws to be so unjust as to render obedience to them a dishonor. He then openly and civilly breaks them and quietly suffers the penalty for their breach. ” • On your Left Side: • What is the point Gandhi is making with that quote? • Explain.

My true test of non-violence will come when I’m shot by an assassin, and I am able to die without holding any malice toward my assassin. Mahatma Gandhi

On your Left Side: • What does Gandhi mean by this quote? • Do you agree or disagree with his view? Why or why not?

He and others believed India should have its freedom and get rid of the English rulers and their army. So he taught his people to fight back at the English - but not with guns or other weapons. He didn’t want to hurt or kill anyone. One way he taught his Indian friends to go 4 against the English was by making their own cloth instead of buying cloth from the English. You see the English would have cotton grown in India, then they would have it picked by Indians, put on ships, ship it to England where it would be spun into thread, woven into cloth, shipped back to India and sold to the Indian people for a higher price. In fact, the English had laws that forced the Indians to buy only this cloth. Gandhi said, “NO WAY, that is not fair!! Why should we have to buy back our own cotton cloth? ! Let’s spin it ourselves!” So he learned how to spin cotton thread on a spinning wheel - like in this picture - and weave it into cloth. He and his followers taught this old fashioned way of spinning and weaving to thousands and thousands of other Indians.

On your Left Side: • Come up with a protest slogan for the actions Gandhi had been taking against the British to help the Indian people become self-sufficient.

It was at this time that Gandhi became known as Mahatma, which means ‘Great Soul’.

Gandhi’s Resistance to British Rule Continues

Gandhi Jailed For Sedition/Treason • Gandhi called off campaign in 1922 out of fear of violence erupting • Gandhi was arrested on March 10, 1922 and tried for sedition • Sentenced to six years in jail • Released for an appendicitis operation after 2 years

The British became worried about keeping control. Soldiers were ordered to prevent people from gathering together for meetings.

On your Left Side: • If you were the British governor in charge of India, how would you have responded to Gandhi’s actions? • Why? Explain your reasoning.

Meanwhile the British rulers continued to collect heavy taxes from the people, which kept them in poverty.

1925 -1928 During this period of time Gandhi traveled throughout India giving speeches on social reform.

The Salt Tax and The Salt March

1930 Next he protested against the English Salt Tax. Gandhi and many followers march to the coast of Dandi. There he picked up a lump of salt, which was strictly forbidden by the Government. Even though Gandhi's actions were nonviolent, the British government reacted violently. Many people were beaten, killed or sent to jail.

Next he protested against the English Salt Tax. Here he leads his fellow freedom fighters on a march to the sea to make their own salt from sea water instead of buying the expensive English salt with its extra tax. The English army beat up Gandhi and his followers and threw them in jail when they tried to make their own salt from the sea. But Gandhi and his friends kept coming back and back until the English gave up.

Gandhi’s action: Civil disobedience 1930 l l l l I hold the British rule in India to be a curse. It has impoverished millions by a system of exploitation and by ruinously expensive military and civil administration. Gandhi 1930 His first act was to march with thousands of followers 400 km to the coast, where he picked up salt on the seashore. The heat of India’s climate makes taking salt a necessity of life. Yet, despite India being almost surrounded by salt water the Indian’s had no control over salt production. The British had total control and everybody rich or poor had to pay a tax on it. By this simple act on the sea shore Gandhi was breaking the law – he was avoiding the payment of salt tax. Gandhi’s act was a signal for other Indians to make their own salt and break the law.

In this picture, Gandhi is shown leading his fellow freedom fighters on a march to the sea to make their own salt from sea water instead of buying the expensive English salt with its extra tax. The Salt March incited a wave of non-violent protest throughout India. Eventually, the British government gave in, allowing India's citizens to extract the salt from the ocean.

In 1930 Gandhi led a 248 mile march to the sea, as a protest against a tax on salt. Thousands joined him in making salt of their own. Over 60, 000 people were arrested.

The Salt March Continued • Britain responded by imprisoning over 60, 000 people • Gandhi-Irwin Pact was signed in 1931 • This freed all prisoners in return for suspension of civil disobedience movement • Gandhi invited to attend Round Table Conference in London to represent Indian National Congress

Britain’s Reaction • Indians staged acts of non-violent protest around the country. • At Dharasana salt depot, they tried to get into the factory to protest about all salt production being in government hands. • The British were forced to act. • During the next few months over 60, 000 Indians were imprisoned. • Gandhi was amongst them, and this time there was no trial. • Yet the civil disobedience campaign was successful. • Many people in both Britain and India began to realize that Britain could not hold India by force. • Many people were shocked at Britain's heavy-handed response to the non-violent protest. • The publicity harmed Britain's image and reputation as a humane world power. • Some British politicians began to think in terms of Indian selfgovernment. • Indians now began to believe that one day they could win their independence.

After the Salt March • Gandhi arrested and British failed to isolate him from his followers • Government granted untouchables separate electorates under constitution • Gandhi protested and forced government to come up with a better arrangement • Gandhi started a new campaign to help the untouchables lead better lives

On your Left Side: • Design a bumper sticker with a slogan and image in support or the Salt March.

However, the British government was forced to negotiate with Gandhi, and they agreed to release political prisoners if he stopped his campaign of non-co-operation.

British People Embrace Gandhi---World-wide Acceptance

Conference & Next Action • Gandhi was released from prison and invited to a series of meetings with the Viceroy. • He was then invited to attend a conference in 1931 in London. • The conference itself was a failure for India – independence was still not promised. • Gandhi predicted as much before he sailed for Britain. • GANDHI’S ACTION- BRITAIN 1931: • While in Britain Gandhi traveled north to Lancashire to meet cotton mill workers. • His campaign to boycott imported cloth meant many Lancashire workers had lost their jobs. • They nevertheless greeted him with affection.

1930 Gandhi interacts with a Pearly King in a district of London In the same year, Gandhi visited England met with some of the mill workers there. The workers were impressed with his sincerity and sense of humor, even though many of them had lost their jobs because of the Indian boycott of British cloth.

British Reaction • Gandhi returned to India as a hero. • But to the British he remained a dangerous enemy. Eventually in 1932 he was arrested and imprisoned again – without trial – along with 30, 000 followers. • While in prison Gandhi learned of a British plan to divide up India’s voters on the basis of religion. • He announced his decision to fast to death unless the British withdrew the plan.

British Reaction • Gandhi was now 60. • The British feared the consequences if Gandhi were to die as a martyr in prison, and so dropped their plans.

1930 The First Round Table Conference met in London to discuss the possibility of Dominion status for India. However, no congress members, such as Gandhi were invited to attend.

1931 Gandhi was named "Man of the Year" by Time magazine. This was an incredible feat for him because he believed that people around the world were finally starting to hear his message of non-violence.

The 2 nd Round Table Conference in London was held in 1931. This time the delegates included Hindus, Christians, Muslims, Princes, and Landowners. But no delegates representing Peasants and Untouchables. So Gandhi appointed himself to this position, creating much resentment among the British.

Gandhi’s Fasts

1932 Gandhi began a “fast unto death” to protest Britain’s treatment of India's lowest caste “untouchables”.

In 1933 Gandhi went on a fast for 21 days to draw attention to the treatment of the very poorest people in India, who he called ‘The Children of God’.

1933 -1939 During this time Gandhi again traveled throughout India speaking about welfare and other important issues to India.

Gandhi Continues Work • In 1934, Gandhi was almost assassinated three times • Gandhi resigned from party membership because his popularity would stifle the membership • Also, this helped Gandhi avoid being a target for Raj propaganda

SECTION 4 Britain Grants Limited Self-Rule Indian Victory • In 1935, Parliament passes the Government of India Act • Act gives India local self-government and some election reforms • Act does nothing to calm rising tension between Muslims and Hindus NEXT

Role of World War Two

World War Two • Gandhi resisted temptation to press hard for independence when Britain was at its most vulnerable. • In return for active Indian support in the war, Britain promised India internal selfgovernment as soon as the war ended – but not full independence. • Churchill wanted to keep the Empire together.

During the Second World War, Gandhi and his followers made it clear that they wouldn’t support Britain unless India was granted independence. In 1942 Gandhi was arrested by the British, and imprisoned for two years.

Quit India Campaign

GANDHI’S ACTION: QUIT INDIA! 1942 • Gandhi objected to Britain’s ideas for selfgovernment because they allowed individual religious groups to work separate deals with Britain. • Gandhi saw his vision of ‘one India’ being ruined by the desire of some Indian Muslims to create their own separate state. • In July 1942 Gandhi drew up a ‘Quit India’ plan. • In it the Congress Party declared that ‘British rule must cease immediately’.

BRITISH REACTION: • Britain had no intention of quitting India. Swiftly, Gandhi and other Congress Party leaders were arrested. • EVENTS: VIOLENCE • Violence broke out all over India. • Symbols of British rule, like post offices, railway stations and government offices were attacked. • Murders and lootings began.

More Action & Reaction • GANDHI’s ACTION: • For once, Gandhi still in jail, was unable to stop the violence. • He tried, by staging a 21 day fast, but with no success. • BRITISH REACTION: • They blamed Gandhi for the disorder. • They now seemed willing to let him die in prison. • Eventually in 1944, aged 75, he was released on doctor’s advice.

Violence Between Hindus and Muslims in India

1946 -1947 This time period was filled with violence between the Hindus and the Muslims. The result: 20 000 people either dead or wounded.

Gandhi’s Action • He immediately set about trying to unite the Hindu and Muslim leaders in demanding one India. • But Mohammed Jinnah, leader of the Muslim League, wished to see a separate Muslim country as part of an agreement with the British. • Gandhi was unable to unite the two sides.

Partition of India and Pakistan

India’s Freedom and Partition • Gandhi was opposed to partition • This opposition caused Hindus and Muslims to criticize Gandhi • Gandhi was condemned for undermining Muslim rights • He was accused of turning a blind eye to atrocities against Hindus and for the creation of Pakistan • Some people even said he caused India to divide

EVENT: DIRECT ACTION 1946 • In August 1946 Jinnah called all Muslims to take ‘direct action’ to demand an independent Muslim state, to be called Pakistan. • Violence erupted –Muslims killed Hindus and vice versa. In one day alone 5000 people died in Calcutta. • India was in a state of civil war. • Still the violence continued. • In Feb 1947 the British government announced that it would give up the government of India by June 1948. • The Viceroy – Lord Mountbatten arrived – he consulted regularly with Gandhi, Jinnah and Nehru ( leader of Congress party).

By 1947 Gandhi’s campaign had weakened the British government’s hold on the country, but with independence looming, killings and riots raged between Hindus and Muslims who hoped to take control of the new Indian government.

Freedom and Partition Continued • Gandhi opposed any partition that planned to divide India • Congress approved the partition plan to prevent a Hindu. Muslim war • Gandhi was eventually forced to let the partition be approved to avoid war

It was decided to divide India into two separate countries - India and Pakistan. Gandhi was strongly opposed to this idea, but was forced to agree because of the threat of civil war.

EVENTS: PARTITION • Rather than risk full civil war Gandhi and Nehru accepted Jinnah’s demands. • India would be split – portioned- to create a Muslim Pakistan separate from the predominately Hindu India. • The partition was no simple matter – states such as Bengal and Punjab which had large numbers of Hindu’s and Muslims had to somehow be divided. • Following independence, violence broke out once again, as large numbers of Muslims realized they were going to be under Hindu rule, or Hindu’s under Muslim rule. • Millions of refugees fled from one country to an other. • Half a million people were killed in religious hatred.

August 15, 1947 Gandhi realized his long soughtafter goal, which was the independence of India from Great Britain. It was a bittersweet victory for Gandhi because along with India's independence came the partitioning of the country into two separate states: Muslimbased Pakistan and Hindu-based India. He thoroughly opposed this partition. Gandhi did not take part in the celebration of India's independence.

Although independence from Britain was a joyous occasion, it was marred by violence. Widespread rioting between Hindus and Muslims detracted from what should have been a celebration for India. The majority of Muslims moved to the newly formed Pakistan and most Hindus stayed in India, creating an everwidening cultural gap. Gandhi began another fast until peace is made between India's Muslims and Hindus. Gandhi’s reaction to the independence and partition of India

Gandhi’s Assassination

January 30, 1948 Nathuram Godse, a fanatic Hindu, assassinates Gandhi while he is walking to a prayer meeting in New Delhi. His death shocks the world.

Gandhi’s Response to Threats • Gandhi, quite characteristically, refused additional security, and no one could defy his wish to be allowed to move around unhindered • In the early evening hours of 30 January 1948, Gandhi met with India's Deputy Prime Minister and his close associate in the freedom struggle, Vallabhai Patel, and then proceeded to his prayers. • Gandhi commenced his walk towards the garden where the prayer meeting was held. • As he was about to mount the steps of the podium, Gandhi folded his hands and greeted his audience with a namaskar; at that moment, a young man came up to him and roughly pushed aside Manu. • Nathuram Godse (a Brahmin Hindu) bent down in the gesture of an obeisance, took a revolver out of his pocket, and shot Gandhi

Gandhi’s Action • By supporting the rights of Muslims Gandhi put his own life in danger. • Fanatical Hindu’s plotted to kill him. • EVENT: ASSASSINATION • On the 30 th January 1948 Gandhi walked through a large crowd which had gathered to hear him. • In the crowd was a young assassin. • As Gandhi approached, the young man bowed, then fired. • Gandhi fell and died.

The last prayer meeting the day of Gandhi's assassination

The last walk.

A few days later, on January 30 th 1948 Gandhi was shot by a Hindu fanatic on his way to a prayer meeting in Delhi.

Gandhi's assassin, Nathuram Godse, was described as a nationalist and right-wing Hindu who blamed Gandhi for the partitioning of India. The assassin had been standing beside the garden path, his hands folded, palms together, before him in the Hindu gesture of greeting. But between his palms he had concealed a small-calibre pistol. After pumping three bullets into Gandhi at a range of a few feet, he fired a fourth shot in an attempt at suicide, but the bullet merely creased his scalp. He was executed in November 1949.

The ashes of Gandhi being carried through the streets of Allahabad.

On your Left Side: • Gandhi was almost assassinated three times before he was finally killed for his beliefs. • He fasted several times in protest and came close to dying from that as well. • Is there anything that you believe in so strongly that you would take similar risks like Gandhi? Why or why not?

Assassination • • Gandhi was shot by Nathuram Godse on January 30, 1948 during his nightly walk Godse and his conspirator were convicted and executed on November 15, 1949 Gandhi’s ashes were poured into urns and sent across India for memorial services Gandhi’s memorial is located at Raj Ghat in Pune, India

His ashes were dipped in all the major rivers of the world before being enshrined in the Mahatma Gandhi World Peace Memorial.

“When in despair I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won; there have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fall. ” M. K. Gandhi

• On your Left Side: • What would be a good political cartoon caption for this image? • Explain.

Legacy of Gandhi

In India Gandhi is often called ‘The Father of the Nation. ’ Gandhi’s birthday, October 2 nd, is a public holiday in India. Click here for Timeline Tool

Holidays and Awards • • • Gandhi Jayanta is celebrated every October 2 in India On January 30, schools and many countries celebrate the School Day of Nonviolence and Peace Man of the Year in 1930 Runner-up to Einstein as person of the century Mahatma Gandhi Peace Prize awarded to distinguished social workers Nominated five times for Nobel Peace Prize

Finally, after years and many, many non-violent protests like this, Gandhi and his hundreds of thousands of freedom fighters forced the English to leave India and allow the Indians to run their own country. They did this without weapons that could hurt or kill. Gandhi’s ideas of non-violent protest - or trying to change unfair practices or laws without hurting anyone - have been used by important leaders in our country and around the world. Here, in the United States, the most famous example is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. , when he joined others in the struggle for equal rights and justice for African Americans.