Gandhi Before India

Ramachandra Guha

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In Circulation

Gandhi Before India, available in hardcover, is a book about the life of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who is considered as the Father of the Nation in India. It speaks about the stories of his life that are not widely known, but which played an important role in shaping young Gandhi into a Mahatma.

This book delves into the early life of Gandhi, the details of which are not popularly known to people. The author has traced the life of Gandhi from the year 1869 to the year 1914. This is the time interval which begins from when he was born, all the way up to the point he returned to India from South Africa as a lawyer.

In Gandhi Before India, the author describes the childhood of Gandhi in detail. He also talks about the two decades he spent in South Africa, where he successfully carried out a revolution. The book tries to give the readers an insight into the philosophies and ideologies followed by Gandhi very early in his life.

The book, Gandhi Before India, was published on 2nd October, 2013. It portrays a realistic picture of a young Gandhi. His experiments with different cults and friendship with people belonging to different religions is beautifully expressed. in addition to all this, the book also describes his enemies and talks about the failures he encountered in life.

Key Features

  • This book is the first volume in Mahatma Gandhi's 2-part biography.

What will you learn from this book

  1. Early Influences: Gandhi's formative years were shaped by a variety of influences, including his family background, cultural environment, and exposure to different philosophies and religions.

  2. Legal Education in London: Gandhi went to London to study law. His time in the United Kingdom exposed him to Western political thought and social issues, which later played a role in shaping his own philosophy.

  3. Encounters with Racism: Gandhi faced racial discrimination and prejudice during his time in South Africa. These experiences fueled his commitment to fighting injustice and became a significant aspect of his later activism.

  4. Championing Civil Rights in South Africa: Gandhi emerged as a leader in South Africa, where he fought against discriminatory laws and policies, laying the groundwork for his later activism in India.

  5. Development of Satyagraha: The concept of Satyagraha (truth-force or soul-force) started to take shape during Gandhi's time in South Africa. It became a central tenet of his philosophy and his approach to nonviolent resistance.

  6. Formation of Natal Indian Congress: Gandhi played a key role in the establishment of the Natal Indian Congress in South Africa, providing a platform for Indians to voice their grievances and advocate for their rights.

  7. Return to India: Gandhi returned to India with a broader perspective and a commitment to addressing social issues. He embarked on a journey of understanding India's diverse cultures and issues.

  8. Challenges in India: Gandhi faced challenges upon his return to India, including adapting to the complexities of Indian society, understanding its various communities, and addressing issues like caste discrimination.

  9. Experiments with Simple Living: Gandhi began experimenting with a simple and austere lifestyle, incorporating principles of self-sufficiency and non-materialism, which became fundamental to his philosophy.

  10. Initial Steps in Indian Politics: Gandhi's entry into Indian politics involved his participation in various social and political movements, gradually establishing him as a leader and paving the way for his prominent role in the independence movement.

Language English
ISBN-10 0670083879
ISBN-13 9780670083879
No of pages 688
Font Size Medium
Book Publisher Penguin India
Published Date 02 Oct 2013

About Author

Author : Ramachandra Guha

2 Books

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