a great leader mahatma gandhi essay

Essay on Mahatma Gandhi – Contributions and Legacy of Mahatma Gandhi

500+ words essay on mahatma gandhi.

Essay on Mahatma Gandhi – Mahatma Gandhi was a great patriotic Indian, if not the greatest. He was a man of an unbelievably great personality. He certainly does not need anyone like me praising him. Furthermore, his efforts for Indian independence are unparalleled. Most noteworthy, there would have been a significant delay in independence without him. Consequently, the British because of his pressure left India in 1947. In this essay on Mahatma Gandhi, we will see his contribution and legacy.

Contributions of Mahatma Gandhi

First of all, Mahatma Gandhi was a notable public figure. His role in social and political reform was instrumental. Above all, he rid the society of these social evils. Hence, many oppressed people felt great relief because of his efforts. Gandhi became a famous international figure because of these efforts. Furthermore, he became the topic of discussion in many international media outlets.

Mahatma Gandhi made significant contributions to environmental sustainability. Most noteworthy, he said that each person should consume according to his needs. The main question that he raised was “How much should a person consume?”. Gandhi certainly put forward this question.

Furthermore, this model of sustainability by Gandhi holds huge relevance in current India. This is because currently, India has a very high population . There has been the promotion of renewable energy and small-scale irrigation systems. This was due to Gandhiji’s campaigns against excessive industrial development.

Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence is probably his most important contribution. This philosophy of non-violence is known as Ahimsa. Most noteworthy, Gandhiji’s aim was to seek independence without violence. He decided to quit the Non-cooperation movement after the Chauri-Chaura incident . This was due to the violence at the Chauri Chaura incident. Consequently, many became upset at this decision. However, Gandhi was relentless in his philosophy of Ahimsa.

Secularism is yet another contribution of Gandhi. His belief was that no religion should have a monopoly on the truth. Mahatma Gandhi certainly encouraged friendship between different religions.

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Legacy of Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi has influenced many international leaders around the world. His struggle certainly became an inspiration for leaders. Such leaders are Martin Luther King Jr., James Beve, and James Lawson. Furthermore, Gandhi influenced Nelson Mandela for his freedom struggle. Also, Lanza del Vasto came to India to live with Gandhi.

The awards given to Mahatma Gandhi are too many to discuss. Probably only a few nations remain which have not awarded Mahatma Gandhi.

In conclusion, Mahatma Gandhi was one of the greatest political icons ever. Most noteworthy, Indians revere by describing him as the “father of the nation”. His name will certainly remain immortal for all generations.

Essay Topics on Famous Leaders

• Mahatma Gandhi
• APJ Abdul Kalam
• Jawaharlal Nehru
• Swami Vivekananda
• Mother Teresa
• Rabindranath Tagore
• Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
• Subhash Chandra Bose
• Abraham Lincoln
• Martin Luther King

FAQs on Mahatma Gandhi

Q.1 Why Mahatma Gandhi decided to stop Non-cooperation movement?

A.1 Mahatma Gandhi decided to stop the Non-cooperation movement. This was due to the infamous Chauri-Chaura incident. There was significant violence at this incident. Furthermore, Gandhiji was strictly against any kind of violence.

Q.2 Name any two leaders influenced by Mahatma Gandhi?

A.2 Two leaders influenced by Mahatma Gandhi are Martin Luther King Jr and Nelson Mandela.

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Essay on Mahatma Gandhi [100, 150, 200, 300, 500 Words]

Essay on Mahatma Gandhi in English: In this article, you are going to read short and long essays on Mahatma Gandhi in English (100, 150, 200-250, 300, and 500 words). This article will be also helpful for you If you are looking for a speech on Mahatma Gandhi or Paragraph on Mahatma Gandhi in English. We’ve written this article for students of all classes (nursery to class 12). So, let’s get started.

Table of Contents

Short Essay on Mahatma Gandhi 100 Words

Mahatma Gandhi was one of the greatest leaders of our country. He was born in Porbandar, India, on October 2, 1869. His father Karamchand Gandhi was the Dewan and his mother Putlibai was a pious lady. Gandhiji went to England to become a barrister. In 1893 he went to South Africa and worked for the rights of our people.

He returned to India in 1915 and joined the freedom struggle. He started many political movements like Non-cooperation movement, Salt Satyagraha, Quit India Movement to fight against the British. Gandhiji worked for the ending of the caste system and the establishment of Hindu-Muslim unity. He was killed by Nathuram Godse On January 30, 1948.

Mahatma Gandhi Essay in English 150 Words

Mahatma Gandhi was a great leader. His full name was Mohandas and Gandhi. He was born on October 2, 1869 at Porbandar. His father was a Diwan. He was an average student. He went to England and returned as a barrister.

In South Africa, Gandhiji saw the bad condition of the Indians. There he raised his voice against it and organised a movement.

In India, he started the non-cooperation and Satyagraha movements to fight against the British Government. He went to jail many times. He wanted Hindu-Muslim unity. In 1947, he got freedom for us.

Gandhiji was a great social reformer. He worked for Dalits and lower-class people. He lived a very simple life. He wanted peace. He believed in Ahimsa.

On January 30, 1948, he was shot dead. We call him ‘Bapu’ out of love and respect. He is the Father of the Nation.

Also Read: 10 Lines on Mahatma Gandhi

Essay on Mahatma Gandhi 200-250 Words

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi was an Indian lawyer, freedom activist, and politician. Gandhiji was born on October 2, 1869 at Porbandar, Gujarat. His father Karamchand Gandhi was the Chief Minister (diwan) of Porbandar state. His mother Putlibai was a religious woman.

He went to England to study law at the age of 18 years. After his return to India, he started a practice as a lawyer in the Bombay High Court. He went to South Africa and started practicing law. There he protested against the injustice and harsh treatment of the white people towards the native Africans and Indians.

He returned to India in 1915 and started to take interest in politics. Mahatma Gandhi used the ideals of truth and non-violence as weapons to fight against British colonial rule. He worked for the upliftment of Harijans. He fought against untouchability and worked for Hindu-Muslim unity.

Through his freedom movements like Non-cooperation movement, Khilafat movement, and civil disobedience movement he fought for freedom against the British imperialists. 1942, he launched the Quit India movement to end the British rule. At last, India got freedom in 1947 at his initiative.

People affectionately call him ‘Bapu’ and the ‘Father of the Nation’. He was shot dead in 1948 by the Hindu fanatic Nathuram Godse.  Gandhiji’s life is a true inspiration for all of us.

Mahatma Gandhi Essay in English 300 Words

Mahatma Gandhi was born at Porbandar in Gujarat on 2nd October, 1869. His father was the Diwan of the State. His name was Karam Chand Gandhi. Mahatma Gandhi’s full name was Mohan Das Karamchand Gandhi. His mother’s name was Putali Bai. Mahatma Gandhi went to school first at Porbandar then at Rajkot. Even as a child, Mahatma never told a lie. He passed his Matric examination at the age of 18.

Mohan Das was married to Kasturba at the age of thirteen. Mahatma Gandhi was sent to England to study law and became a Barrister. He lived a very simple life even in England. After getting his law degree, he returned to India.

Mr. Gandhi started his law practice. He went to South Africa in the course of a law suit. He saw the condition of the Indians living there. They were treated very badly by the white men. They were not allowed to travel in 1st class on the trains, also not allowed to enter certain localities, clubs, and so on. Once when Gandhiji was travelling in the 1st class compartment of the train, he was beaten and thrown out of the train. Then Mahatma decided to unite all Indians and started the Non-violence and Satyagrah Movement. In no time, the Movement picked up.

Mahatma Gandhi returned to India and joined Indian National Congress. He started the Non-violence, Non-cooperation Movements here also. He travelled all over India, especially the rural India to see the conditions of the poor.

Mahatma Gandhi started Satyagrah Movement to oppose the Rowlatt Act and there was the shoot-out at Jalian-Wala-Bagh. The Act was drawn after many people were killed. He then started the Salt Satyagraha and Quit India Movements. And finally, Gandhiji won freedom for us. India became free on 15th August, 1947. He is called as “Father of the Nation”. Unfortunately, Gandhiji was shot on 30 January 1948 by a Hindu extremist Nathuram Godse.

Also Read: Gandhi Jayanti Speech 10 Lines

Mahatma Gandhi Essay in English 500 Words

Introduction:.

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi was a politician, social activist, writer, and leader of the Indian national movement. He is a figure known all over the world. His name is a household word in India, rather, in all the world round. His creed of non-violence has placed him on the same par with Buddha, Sri Chaitanya, and Jesus Christ.

Family & Education:

Mahatma Gandhi was born in the small town of Porbandar in the Kathiwad state on October 2, 1869. His father Karamchand Gandhi was the prime minister of Rajkot State and his mother Putlibai was a pious lady. Her influence shaped the future life of Mahatma Gandhi.

He was sent to school at a very early age, but he was not a very bright student. After his Matriculation Examination, he went to England to study law and returned home as a barrister. He began to practice law in Bombay but he was not very successful.

Life in South Africa:

In 1893 Gandhiji went to South Africa in connection with a case. He found his own countrymen treated with contempt by the whites. Gandhiji started satyagraha against this color hated. It was a non-violent protest, yet hundreds were beaten up and thousands were sent to jail. But Gandhiji did not buzz an inch from his faith in truth and non-violence and at last, he succeeded in his mission. He was awarded the title of Mahatma.

Fight for India’s Independence:

In 1915 Gandhiji came back to India after twenty long years in South Africa. He joined the Indian National congress and championed the cause of India’s freedom movement. He asked people to unite for the cause of freedom. He used the weapons of truth and non-violence to fight against the mighty British.

The horrible massacre at Jalianwalabag in Punjab touched him and he resolved to face the brute force of the British Government with moral force. In 1920 he launched the Non-cooperation movement to oppose British rule in India.

He led the famous Dandi March on 12th March 1930. This march was meant to break the salt law. And as a result of this, the British rule in India had already started shaking and he had to go to London for a Round Table Conference in 1931. But this Conference proved abortive and the country was about to give a death blow to the foreign rule.

In 1942 Gandhiji launched his final bout for freedom. He started the ‘Quit India’ movement. At last, the British Government had to quit India in 1947, and India was declared a free country on August 15, 1947.

Social Works:

Mahatma Gandhi was a social activist who fought against the evils of society. He found the Satyagraha Ashram on the banks of the Sabarmati river in Gujarat. He preached against untouchability and worked for Hindu-Muslim unity. He fought tirelessly for the rights of Harijans.

Conclusion:

Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation was a generous, god-loving, and peace-loving person. But unfortunately, he was assassinated by Nathuram Godse on 30th January 1948 at the age of 78. To commemorate Gandhiji’s birth anniversary Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated every year on October 2. Gandhiji’s teachings and ideologies will continue to enlighten and encourage us in the future.

Read More: 1. Essay on Swami Vivekananda 2. Essay on Subhash Chandra Bose 3. Essay on Mother Teresa 4. Essay on APJ Abdul Kalam 5. Essay on Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

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• Mahatma Gandhi Essay

Important Essay on Mahatma Gandhi for Students in English

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, often called the 'Father of the Nation' , was a leader who fought for India's freedom from British rule. He believed in non-violence. Every year on October 2nd, Mahatma Gandhi's birthday is celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti to honor his efforts in freeing India.

English Essay on Mahatma Gandhi

Rabindranath Tagore was the first to call Gandhiji 'Mahatma,' which means 'Great Soul' in Sanskrit. His wise ideas and beliefs led people to respect and call him 'Mahatma Gandhi.' His dedication to the country and efforts to turn his ideas into reality make Indians around the world very proud of him .

According to Mahatma Gandhi’s biography, he was born on October 2, 1869 , in Porbandar, a coastal town in the present-day Indian state of Gujarat. He grew up in a Hindu family and ate basic vegetarian meals. His dad, Karamchand Uttamchand Gandhi, was an important leader in Porbandar State. In South Africa, he was the first to lead a peaceful protest movement, setting him apart from other demonstrators. Mahatma Gandhi also introduced the idea of Satyagraha, a nonviolent approach to opposing unfairness. He devoted 20 years of his life to battling discrimination in South Africa.

His idea of 'Ahimsa,' which means not hurting anyone, was widely admired and followed by many influential people worldwide. He became an indomitable figure who couldn't be defeated in any situation. Mahatma Gandhi initiated the 'Khadi Movement' to encourage the use of fabrics like khadi or jute. This movement was a crucial part of the larger 'Non-co-operation Movement,' which advocated for Indian goods and discouraged foreign ones. Gandhi strongly supported agriculture and encouraged people to engage in farming. He inspired Indians to embrace manual labor and emphasized self-reliance, urging them to provide for their needs and lead simple lives. He began weaving cotton clothes using the Charkha to reduce dependence on foreign goods and promote Swadeshi products among Indians.

During the fight for India's freedom, Gandhiji faced imprisonment several times along with his followers, but his main goal was always the freedom of his motherland. Even when he was in prison, he never chose the path of violence.

Mahatma Gandhi made significant contributions to various social issues. His efforts against 'untouchability' while he was in Yerwada Jail, where he went on a hunger strike against this ancient social evil, greatly helped uplift the oppressed community in modern times. He also emphasized the importance of education, cleanliness, health, and equality in society.

These qualities defined him as a person with a great soul and justified his transformation from Gandhi to Mahatma. He led many freedom movements, including the "Quit India Movement," which was highly successful. His death was a huge loss to the forces of peace and democracy, leaving a significant void in the nation's life.

Gopal Krishna Gokhale, a prominent Indian nationalist leader, significantly influenced Mahatma Gandhi's political ideology and leadership approach. Gandhi considered him his political teacher.

Mahatma Gandhi played a crucial role in India's fight for freedom from British rule. His life was dedicated to serving his country and its people, and he became an international symbol of Indian leadership. Even today, he continues to inspire and motivate young people worldwide with his values and principles.

Gandhi Ji was known for his strong sense of discipline. He emphasized the importance of self-discipline in achieving significant goals, a principle he applied in promoting his philosophy of Ahimsa (non-violence). Through his own life, he demonstrated that rigorous discipline can lead to the realization of any objective, provided we remain committed and dedicated. These qualities established him as a revered and respected leader whose influence extends far beyond his lifetime. His ideals continue to resonate not only in India but also around the world.

FAQs on Mahatma Gandhi Essay

1. What were the different movements that Gandhi started in order to bring Independence to India?

In order to bring freedom, Gandhi started the Satyagraha movement in 1919, the non-cooperation movement in 1921, and Civil Disobedience movement in 1930 and Quit India movement in 1942.

2. Who killed Mahatma Gandhi?

A young man named Nathuram Godse killed Mahatma Gandhi when he was going to attend an evening prayer meeting.

3. Why is Gandhi known as the ‘Father of the Nation’?

Mahatma Gandhi is known as the ‘Father of the Nation’ because he laid the true foundation of independent India with his noble ideals and supreme sacrifice.

4. How do we commemorate Mahatma Gandhi’s contribution for our Nation?

His birthday on 2 nd October is celebrated as a National Holiday across the nation in order to commemorate his great contributions and sacrifices for the country’s independence.

5. What are the things we should learn from Mahatma Gandhi? 

There are various things one can learn from Gandhiji. The principles that he followed and preached his entire generation and for generations to come are commendable. He believed in ‘Ahimsa’ and taught people how any war in the world can be won through non-violence. To simply state one can learn the following principles from Gandhiji - 

Nonviolence, 

Respect for elders,

Mahatma Gandhi and his Leadership

This essay will examine Mahatma Gandhi’s unique leadership style and his role in India’s struggle for independence. It will discuss his principles of nonviolence and civil disobedience, his ability to inspire and mobilize masses, and his lasting impact on global peace and civil rights movements. More free essay examples are accessible at PapersOwl about Justice.

How it works

• 2 Background
• 3 Ethical Leadership
• 4 Conclusion

This paper will investigate the leadership style, capacity, and skill of Mahatma Gandhi. It will first examine his life history, goals, visions, and struggles that he and his community faced. It will then analyze a few critical theories of leadership such as Transformational and Ethical. It will address Gandhi’s use of these styles as a political and social leader while closely examining the view of Mahatma Gandhi’s values and their impact to society in the 20th century. Furthermore, this analysis will discuss the Christian principles and values at play and how they align to Gandhi and his leadership.

The study of leadership is a theory that continues to evolve. Its complexity of conceptualization never ceases to find a permanent definition. Yet, it is an essential and paramount topic when it comes to success, influence and goals. Over the centuries, the evolution of leadership has cultivated a deeper meaning in society. However, the impact that a particular leader and their leadership style has on individuals is always there. As there are many leaders that have had a significant impact on followers, the one that stands out was India’s social and political leader, Mahatma Gandhi.

Mahatma Gandhi, also known as his byname, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, was born in Porbandar India in October 2, 1869 (Nanda, 2019). Gandhi, being born with an elite family name known in the Indian government, was known as a rebellion and troublemaker throughout his adolescents. It was known that on his father’s death bed, Gandhi decided to make love to his new wife and ended up missing his father’s death. However, Gandhi becomes struck with guilt after his wife’s miscarriage, as he knew that this was a sign for his wrong doings. Years later, Gandhi becomes a law student in London and joins a theosophical society which inadvertently draws him back into his Hindu ways where he begins to take on his values and principles he once left.

After graduation, Mahatma Gandhi travels back home to India where he loses his first court case. Shamed, he accepts a job in South Africa where he is later greeted with discrimination and segregation. It is his time in South Africa and India that Gandhi finds his true mission and influence, as he later becomes the sole representative of the Indian National Congress. Gandhi was an activist that did not partake in violence. As the mark of his death strikes as a national tragedy. His actions however, impacted millions of lives that struggle from oppression from the British, poverty, and social rights. The influence left by him could not be mentioned without first mentioning the unique leadership capacity and style of Mahatma Gandhi. The study of leadership theory has strong ties to western studies.

Bligh suggest that leadership studies have focused on Presidents and corporate leaders. Over the decades however, more effort has been taken to further research the cross- cultural perspective of leadership (Bligh, Robinson, 2010). Many modern leadership theories we see today emerged in the 1970’s thus, research into Gandhi’s leadership style was more thoroughly conducted after his death in 1948. Interestingly enough, Varghese address the similarities between the values of America and India, as both are based off of the principles of religion, and culture (Varghese, Nolan, & Bihm, 2017). Gandhi’s leadership style can be exhibited in two distinct leadership theory viewpoints. Transformational (with a charismatic emphasis) and Ethical leadership. These two leadership studies draw distinction to one another as they both represent a level of importance to the values, needs, and moral conscious while aiming to first recognize, address, and then resolve conflict that effects not only their followers but the leader as well.

Leadership Capacity and Skills Transformational Theory The demonstration of transformational leadership can be easily portrayed in Mahatma Gandhi. To better understand, Northouse describes this leadership theory as the process of engagement between other individuals or followers, were a common connection of values, emotion, and goals are established (Northouse, 2016). This connection heightens the level of morality as followers begin to feel empowered. Charismatic visionary, this leader attends to the needs of their followers with the hopes they can be equally successful. Some of the personality characteristics that underline transformational leadership are strong moral values. Since Gandhi’s [bookmark: _Hlk2717645]followers relatively held the same Indian values, they were able to relate with the idealism of Ahimsa, one of India’s most recognized virtues that was later adopted by Martine Luther King Jr. Gandhi embraced Ahimsa as it was a universal principle for human behavior. He believed that people should not respond to violent provocation with violence (Varghese, Nolan, & Bihm, 2017).

One of the behaviors that made Gandhi stand out was his humbleness, as he viewed himself, not as an actual leader, but as an equal partner with others who had their common goals at interest. Leading by the way of transformation also involves one to reestablish their commitment within an organization by selflessness, empowerment, and being a role model. Many studies suggest a unique concept to Gandhi’s political role as a leader. His desire to transform and motivate others, lead to him also being transformed and motivated as he was a leader to others and to himself. Furthermore, with Gandhi constantly being in the middle of many crisis with the attempts to solve, these events or obstacles, became an enabling tool for his leadership talents to takeoff. Transformational leadership holds many characteristics. One characteristic that cannot go unnoticed is charisma. Northouse defines charisma as a theory that can transform a follower’s self-concepts while linking the identity of followers to the grouped identity of the organization. Gandhi carried a sense of dominance and strong moral values as he used this to influence others (Northouse, 2016). There is a high exchange of expectation between Gandhi and his followers thus, there is a heightened level of competence and self-virtue which eventually leads to a stronger relationship between the two.

Ethical Leadership

The values and traits rooted in Mahatma Gandhi were undeniably apparent in his leadership. However, if we dig deeper into Gandhi’s transformative style, his ethical principles are visible. Using Northouse’s definitions as a baseline, we first examine five principles of ethical leadership that are reflected in Gandhi. First illustrated is respect others. Gandhi’s clear dedication to Ahimsa, the act of non-violence, demonstrates his clear respect, not only for his community, but for the British government during his revolt against them. The vision of treating others the way you would want to be treated even if your being treated unjustly. Gandhi understood his people’s needs and values and helped them become more aware of their purpose.

The second principle being illustrated here is to serve others. The emphasis of Gandhi being attentive to social dynamics in Africa and India shows his concern for his follower’s needs. Gandhi was driven to mitigate adversity amongst Indians by understanding the struggle they faced daily and being their voice and light towards freedom. Thirdly, showing justice continues to promote the idea of a leader’s consideration of justice and equality. We see this heavily in Gandhi’s political role in in the Indian National Congress as it was his mission to fight injustices that has overcome his community during that early 1900’s.

Forth principle noted is Honesty. Though Gandhi was a troublemaker in his youth, his work in the political arena and holding true to his values and principles promoted the ideal of honesty, as he believed that society expects leaders to be trustworthy. To better understand honesty, Northouse makes an interesting comparison with dishonesty. He notes that it is a misrepresentation of reality and brings many objectionable outcomes such as distrust, unreliability, loss of faith, and loss of respect which leads to a weakening relationship between follower and leader (Northouse, 2016). The Fifth and final ethical principle explained is Building Community. This principle focuses on leaders and follower’s both achieving a common goal. Gandhi took into account the idea of a group effort. For example, in 1930 the Salt March campaign against the British salt laws, took place for almost a month. Gandhi established a march of thousands of Indians to walk 240 miles in a salt water marsh land, as the British Salt Act of 1882 prohibited Indians from producing and selling salt (Pletcher, 2010).

The farther Gandhi walked, the larger his crowd became. In a way, Gandhi built a community that all wanted to achieve a common goal which was to defy the British law by cleaning and crystallizing the salt from the ocean at each high tide. Gandhi was soon arrested, but eventually released and acknowledge by the British government as they were willing to meet with the Indian National Congress. These five principles illustrated the importance of civic virtue, community development, and fairness, while acknowledging and creating a solution that will fulfill the needs of the people, in order to accomplish a common goal.

Values Gandhi’s leadership traits can be easily distinguished in transformational and ethical leadership as they are one of the main bases for these theories. However, by stepping back to solely examine Gandhi’s values that he followed so close, there is a clear line of leadership qualities that stem from these values. Brought up in an Indian background, Mahatma Gandhi embraced many values followed in the Indian community which helped expand his political work. Discussed earlier, Ashima focused on taking action in a resistance with the exclusion of violence.

Another Indian philosophical value is Dharma. This value, or value set, encompasses ideals such as uprightness, justice, duty and virtue. Gandhi’s passion to fight for the rights of his people, seek justice and peace are clearly associated with the foundational values that his leadership skills are based on. Furthermore, Gandhi’s transformative and ethical leadership is driven by values that endorsed benevolence, social responsibility and nonviolence. This proves that he had an influential imprint on society. Incorporation of Christian Principles

Though brought up Hindu, Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership incorporates many Christian principles in which we can pull from today. Gandhi had a natural passion for others who were suffering from injustice. This concept of loving thy neighbor which is taught in Matthew chapter 22:39, is a clear example of compassion for your fellow man. Christianity teaches on many biblical principles such as stewardship, love, and self-development. Jesus also demonstrated that the bases for leading others should be servanthood. Mark chapter 10:44 illustrates that God’s people should not limit themselves to serve God, but to be servants of men.

Furthermore, Christian principles emphasizes the importance of recognizing the concerns of others as Jesus has done, and continues to do for us. It is one’s social responsibility as a Christian to spread the gospel, seek justice and peace even if one will forgo their right’s. Gandhi stood up for the rights of others even if it meant going outside the legal realm. Although he was arrested multiple times, Gandhi put his concern for his people and community before his own. Ultimately, God has called man to be servants of men and leaders of faith with the mind set of building people up and loving them as God loves us.

Mahatma Gandhi’s role as a political and social revolutionist during the 20th century, have impacted and influenced thousands of people. Nevertheless, His vision, principles and values imbedded in his leadership, have illustrated the importance of recognizing the needs, values, and empowerment, of followers, and acting on it. His passion to seek justice and tranquility for Indians while fighting violence and racism, was seen in the eyes of men and women, young, and old. The morals and values Gandhi cherished, are what underline his transformative and ethical leadership style. It is clear here that Gandhi was a quintessence role model of civil disobedience and a charismatic leader as he publicly advocated his ideology with great boldness while adhering to the Ahimsa notion of nonviolence. Being an effective leader first starts with self- recognition and awareness of our strengths and weakness, as Gandhi states, we must be the change that we want to see in the world.

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Essay on Mahatma Gandhi in English | 100, 150, 200, 300 and 400 + Words

Essay on Mahatma Gandhi in English- 100 words

Mahatma Gandhi was an important leader in the Indian independence movement. He is best known for his philosophy of nonviolent resistance, which helped India to gain independence from British rule. Gandhi was also a deeply religious man, and he used his beliefs to guide his actions. In this essay, we will discuss Gandhi’s life, his teaching, and his legacy. He advocated for a non-violent approach to resistance, and his tactics helped lead to India’s freedom in 1947. Gandhi was also a prolific writer, and his essays contained powerful messages of equality, justice, and democracy. His words continue to inspire people around the world today.

Essay on Mahatma Gandhi in English- 150 words

Mahatma Gandhi was an influential political leader in India who is best known for leading the country’s non-violent resistance movement against British colonialism. In this essay, we will explore some of Gandhi’s life and accomplishments.  Gandhi was born in 1869 in what is now Gujarat, India. He was educated in England and later returned to India to begin his law practice. In 1893, he was thrown off a train for being in a first-class compartment with a second-class ticket. This incident sparked his lifelong commitment to social justice and equality. Gandhi became a leader of the Indian National Congress and fought for India’s independence from British rule. He advocated for non-violent resistance and civil disobedience. His philosophy of satyagraha, or “truth force,” inspired many people around the world. In 1947, India finally gained its independence from Britain. After years of peaceful protests and civil disobedience, Gandhi had helped lead his country to freedom.

Essay on Mahatma Gandhi in English- 200 words

Mahatma Gandhi was an inspiring figure who fought for India’s independence from British rule. He is also celebrated for his philosophy of nonviolent resistance. In this essay, we will examine Gandhi’s life, his work for Indian independence, and his legacy. Gandhiji (paragraph on mahatma gandhi) was born in 1869 in what is now Gujarat, India. He studied law in London and later returned to India to begin practicing. However, he soon became involved in the nationalist movement fighting for India’s independence. Gandhi(essay on mahatma gandhi) believed in using peaceful methods to achieve political goals, and he became the leader of the Indian National Congress party. Under Gandhi’s leadership, the Indian National Congress protested against British policies through mass campaigns of civil disobedience. One of the most famous campaigns was the Salt March, during which protesters walked 240 miles to the sea to collect salt, defying British laws that taxed salt production. This campaign and others like it earned Gandhi international respect as a leader of peaceful resistance.In 1947, after years of struggle, India finally gained its independence from Britain. However, the new nation was immediately plunged into religious violence between Hindus and Muslims. Gandhi worked tirelessly to promote religious tolerance and peace.

Essay on Mahatma Gandhi in English- 300 words

Introduction.

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was the leader of the nationalist non-violence movement against British rule in India and as such was known for his doctrine of Satyagraha. He was referred to as “Mahatma” or “Great-Souled” by his followers.

Youth life of Mahatma Gandhi

Gandhi was born to his father’s 4th wife. He was born in Porbandar, the chief minister of his father. As a child he was restless, roaming and playing a lot. But as he got older he began to see he had been labelled short and spindly which prevented him from participating in athletics. Gandhi was very religious and would spend time reading Bhagavad-Gita, Tolstoy, and the Bible with great enthusiasm.

Education of Gandhi Ji

Soon after his graduation, Gandhi tried to open a law practice with very little success. He got a job in the South African Company and experienced widespread prejudice. Gandhi attended the University of Bombay and UCL. He was admitted to the bar exam in England. After traveling to South Africa, he experienced discrimination and racism.

Contribution of Gandhi ji

Gandhi refused to join in Indian politics, but he supported the British by recruiting soldiers and denouncing violence. In 1919, the British pushed through a law that empowered authorities to imprison Indians without trial. Today, people are unaware of the Indian Independence movement and of Gandhi’s actions in it. In response, he declares a satyagraha struggle to protest against the British Raj. This is a virtual political earthquake since many violent outbreaks follow, with the massacre at Amritsar being especially important. Mahatma Gandhi’s influence in India was never seen before, and in 1922 he was arrested for sedition with a 6-year sentence. Gandhi became the president of Congress Party in 1924. Mahatma began the Civil Disobedience Movement in 1930, which was a practice where the individuals refused to obey orders but faced violence and brutality. Mahatma Gandhi was a prominent independence activist, who has inspired many.

Mahatma Gandhi was one of the most influential figures of the 20th century. His philosophy of nonviolent resistance helped to end British rule in India and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom around the world. Gandhi’s life and teachings continue to be an inspiration to people all over the world who are striving for justice and equality.

Essay on Mahatma Gandhi in English 500 words

Mahatma Gandhi is one of the most influential figures in modern history. Born in India in 1869, Gandhi was a lawyer who fought for Indian independence from British rule. He is best known for his philosophy of nonviolent resistance, which helped lead India to independence in 1947. Gandhi also played a key role in improving relations between Hindus and Muslims. After his death in 1948, he remains an inspiration for people all over the world who are fighting for justice.

Who was Mahatma Gandhi?

Mahatma Gandhi was an Indian political leader who fought for India’s independence from British rule. After years of peaceful protests and civil disobedience, Gandhi helped lead India to independence in 1947. He is also celebrated for his philosophy of nonviolent resistance.

Early Life of Mahatma Gandhi

Born on October 2, 1869 in Porbandar, India, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was the youngest of three sons. His father, Karamchand Gandhi, served as the diwan (chief minister) of Porbandar state. His mother, Putlibai, was a devout Hindu who fasted regularly. As a child, Gandhi was shy and thoughtful. He excelled in his studies and was popular among his classmates. At the age of thirteen, Gandhi married Kasturbai Makhanji in an arranged marriage. The couple had four children, but only two survived infancy. In 1888, Gandhi traveled to England to study law. While there, he was profoundly influenced by the works of Henry David Thoreau and Leo Tolstoy. After returning to India in 1891, Gandhi began practicing law in Bombay (now Mumbai). In 1893, Gandhi was thrown off a first-class train compartment after refusing to give up his seat to a white man. This incident made him realize the depth of discrimination against Indians in South Africa. He stayed in South Africa for twenty years, fighting for the rights of Indian immigrants. In 1915, he returned to India and continued his work for social

Key Events in Mahatma Gandhi’s Life

• 1869- Gandhi is born in Porbandar, India
• 1893- Gandhi finishes his law studies in London and returns to India
• 1899- 1901- Gandhi works as a lawyer in South Africa
• 1906- Gandhi returns to India
• 1915- Gandhi is arrested for the first time in his life
• 1920- Gandhi launches the Non-Cooperation Movement
• 1930- Gandhi leads the Salt March
• 1942- Gandhi is arrested again, this time for leading the Quit India Movement
• 1948- Gandhi is assassinated by Hindu nationalist Nathuram Godse

The Philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi is considered one of the most influential figures of the 20th century. His philosophy of nonviolent resistance helped lead India to independence from British rule, and has been an inspiration for social and political activists around the world. Gandhi’s philosophy of nonviolent resistance is based on the belief that violence only begets more violence, and that true change can only be achieved through peaceful means. This philosophy was put into practice during Gandhi’s years leading the Indian independence movement, when he advocated for peaceful protests and civil disobedience against the British government. Although Gandhi’s philosophy has been criticized by some as being too idealistic, his legacy continues to inspire people who are fighting for social change. In a world that often seems dominated by violence, Gandhi’s message of peace and nonviolence is more relevant than ever.

The Legacy of Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi was one of the most influential political figures of the 20th century. He is best known for his philosophy of nonviolent resistance, which helped lead India to independence from British rule. After his death, Gandhi’s legacy continued to inspire people around the world who were struggling for social justice. Today, on the anniversary of Gandhi’s birth, we remember his life and work. We also reflect on how his example continues to challenge and inspire us in our own quest for justice.

What did he do?

Mahatma Gandhi was an influential political leader in India who is best known for his philosophy of nonviolent resistance. He played a pivotal role in leading the country to independence from British rule, and he also advocated for the rights of minorities and the poor. After his assassination in 1948, Gandhi became an icon for peace and justice around the world.

Why is he important?

Mahatma Gandhi is considered one of the most important figures in history. He is known for his non-violent resistance movement against British colonialism in India. He also played a key role in the Indian independence movement. After years of peaceful protests and civil disobedience, Gandhi helped lead India to independence in 1947. He is also celebrated for his philosophy of nonviolent resistance, which inspired other freedom fighters across the world, including Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela.

How has he influenced the world?

Mahatma Gandhi was an Indian independence leader who fought against British colonial rule. He is also celebrated as a champion of non-violent protest and civil disobedience. His legacy continues to inspire people around the world who are seeking social justice.

The essay on Mahatma Gandhi in English has shown us that he was a great leader who fought for the rights of his people. He was a man of peace and always strived to bring people together. He is an inspiration to all of us and we should strive to follow his example.

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Essay on Role of Mahatma Gandhi in Freedom Struggle

Students are often asked to write an essay on Role of Mahatma Gandhi in Freedom Struggle in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Role of Mahatma Gandhi in Freedom Struggle

The birth of a leader.

Mahatma Gandhi was born in India in 1869. He studied law in England before returning to India. He later moved to South Africa, where he first used nonviolent resistance.

Gandhi’s Philosophy

Gandhi and india’s freedom struggle.

Gandhi returned to India in 1915. He led the Indian National Congress, guiding India towards independence. He organized nonviolent protests against British rule.

Legacy of Mahatma Gandhi

Gandhi’s nonviolent methods inspired many, and India gained independence in 1947. His ideas continue to influence people worldwide.

250 Words Essay on Role of Mahatma Gandhi in Freedom Struggle

Introduction, non-violent approach.

Gandhi’s primary weapon in the struggle was non-violence or ‘Ahimsa.’ His philosophy was grounded in the belief that moral superiority could not be achieved through violent means. This approach resonated with the masses and enabled widespread participation, thereby intensifying the struggle against the British Raj.

Mass Mobilization

Gandhi’s leadership was marked by his ability to mobilize the masses. His simple lifestyle and empathetic nature helped him connect with the common people. He initiated campaigns like the Non-Cooperation Movement, Civil Disobedience Movement, and Quit India Movement, which saw mass participation unprecedented in the history of the Indian freedom struggle.

Championing Swaraj

Gandhi’s concept of ‘Swaraj’ or self-rule was not just political independence but also economic and social self-reliance. He advocated for the boycott of British goods and promoted indigenous industries, enhancing India’s economic independence and providing a blueprint for post-colonial economic development.

Mahatma Gandhi’s role in India’s freedom struggle was transformative. His non-violent approach, ability to mobilize the masses, and vision for Swaraj were instrumental in shaping the course of India’s freedom struggle. His philosophies have left an indelible mark on India’s ethos and continue to inspire movements for civil rights and freedom across the globe.

500 Words Essay on Role of Mahatma Gandhi in Freedom Struggle

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, famously known as Mahatma Gandhi, played a pivotal role in the Indian freedom struggle against British rule. His unique approach of ‘Satyagraha’ (insistence on truth) and ‘Ahimsa’ (non-violence) left an indelible mark on the world and significantly contributed to India’s independence.

Advent of Satyagraha

Non-cooperation movement.

Returning to India in 1915, Gandhi transformed the Indian National Congress from an elitist party into a mass movement. The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922) was the first large-scale initiative against British rule under his leadership. Gandhi called for a complete boycott of British goods and services, which included schools, courts, and government services. The movement stirred the nation, uniting Indians across regions, religions, and classes. Despite its abrupt end due to the Chauri Chaura incident, the movement marked the beginning of a nationwide struggle for freedom.

Civil Disobedience Movement

The Civil Disobedience Movement, initiated with the Dandi March in 1930, was another milestone in India’s struggle for freedom. Gandhi and his followers marched about 240 miles from Sabarmati Ashram to the coastal village of Dandi, where they made salt, defying the British salt laws. This act was a symbolic defiance of the British monopoly and a peaceful protest against their oppressive regime.

Quit India Movement

In 1942, Gandhi launched the Quit India Movement, demanding an end to British rule in India. His call for ‘Do or Die’ resonated with the masses, leading to widespread protests across the country. The movement was a significant blow to the British, shaking the foundations of their rule in India.

Gandhi’s Philosophy and Its Impact

Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence and truth was not merely a strategy for the freedom struggle, but a way of life. His principles of simplicity, self-reliance, and communal harmony continue to inspire millions around the world. His innovative methods of civil resistance have influenced numerous freedom struggles globally, including the civil rights movement in the U.S. led by Martin Luther King Jr.

Mahatma Gandhi’s role in the Indian freedom struggle was monumental. His non-violent resistance against British rule united the diverse Indian population and instilled in them a sense of national pride. His principles and methods, though criticized by some, proved to be effective in achieving India’s independence. Gandhi’s legacy continues to influence and inspire movements for civil rights and social change worldwide, making him a global icon for peace and justice.

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Mahatma Gandhi

By: History.com Editors

Updated: June 6, 2019 | Original: July 30, 2010

Revered the world over for his nonviolent philosophy of passive resistance, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was known to his many followers as Mahatma, or “the great-souled one.” He began his activism as an Indian immigrant in South Africa in the early 1900s, and in the years following World War I became the leading figure in India’s struggle to gain independence from Great Britain. Known for his ascetic lifestyle–he often dressed only in a loincloth and shawl–and devout Hindu faith, Gandhi was imprisoned several times during his pursuit of non-cooperation, and undertook a number of hunger strikes to protest the oppression of India’s poorest classes, among other injustices. After Partition in 1947, he continued to work toward peace between Hindus and Muslims. Gandhi was shot to death in Delhi in January 1948 by a Hindu fundamentalist.

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, at Porbandar, in the present-day Indian state of Gujarat. His father was the dewan (chief minister) of Porbandar; his deeply religious mother was a devoted practitioner of Vaishnavism (worship of the Hindu god Vishnu), influenced by Jainism, an ascetic religion governed by tenets of self-discipline and nonviolence. At the age of 19, Mohandas left home to study law in London at the Inner Temple, one of the city’s four law colleges. Upon returning to India in mid-1891, he set up a law practice in Bombay, but met with little success. He soon accepted a position with an Indian firm that sent him to its office in South Africa. Along with his wife, Kasturbai, and their children, Gandhi remained in South Africa for nearly 20 years.

Did you know? In the famous Salt March of April-May 1930, thousands of Indians followed Gandhi from Ahmadabad to the Arabian Sea. The march resulted in the arrest of nearly 60,000 people, including Gandhi himself.

Gandhi was appalled by the discrimination he experienced as an Indian immigrant in South Africa. When a European magistrate in Durban asked him to take off his turban, he refused and left the courtroom. On a train voyage to Pretoria, he was thrown out of a first-class railway compartment and beaten up by a white stagecoach driver after refusing to give up his seat for a European passenger. That train journey served as a turning point for Gandhi, and he soon began developing and teaching the concept of satyagraha (“truth and firmness”), or passive resistance, as a way of non-cooperation with authorities.

The Birth of Passive Resistance

In 1906, after the Transvaal government passed an ordinance regarding the registration of its Indian population, Gandhi led a campaign of civil disobedience that would last for the next eight years. During its final phase in 1913, hundreds of Indians living in South Africa, including women, went to jail, and thousands of striking Indian miners were imprisoned, flogged and even shot. Finally, under pressure from the British and Indian governments, the government of South Africa accepted a compromise negotiated by Gandhi and General Jan Christian Smuts, which included important concessions such as the recognition of Indian marriages and the abolition of the existing poll tax for Indians.

In July 1914, Gandhi left South Africa to return to India. He supported the British war effort in World War I but remained critical of colonial authorities for measures he felt were unjust. In 1919, Gandhi launched an organized campaign of passive resistance in response to Parliament’s passage of the Rowlatt Acts, which gave colonial authorities emergency powers to suppress subversive activities. He backed off after violence broke out–including the massacre by British-led soldiers of some 400 Indians attending a meeting at Amritsar–but only temporarily, and by 1920 he was the most visible figure in the movement for Indian independence.

Leader of a Movement

As part of his nonviolent non-cooperation campaign for home rule, Gandhi stressed the importance of economic independence for India. He particularly advocated the manufacture of khaddar, or homespun cloth, in order to replace imported textiles from Britain. Gandhi’s eloquence and embrace of an ascetic lifestyle based on prayer, fasting and meditation earned him the reverence of his followers, who called him Mahatma (Sanskrit for “the great-souled one”). Invested with all the authority of the Indian National Congress (INC or Congress Party), Gandhi turned the independence movement into a massive organization, leading boycotts of British manufacturers and institutions representing British influence in India, including legislatures and schools.

After sporadic violence broke out, Gandhi announced the end of the resistance movement, to the dismay of his followers. British authorities arrested Gandhi in March 1922 and tried him for sedition; he was sentenced to six years in prison but was released in 1924 after undergoing an operation for appendicitis. He refrained from active participation in politics for the next several years, but in 1930 launched a new civil disobedience campaign against the colonial government’s tax on salt, which greatly affected Indian’s poorest citizens.

A Divided Movement

In 1931, after British authorities made some concessions, Gandhi again called off the resistance movement and agreed to represent the Congress Party at the Round Table Conference in London. Meanwhile, some of his party colleagues–particularly Mohammed Ali Jinnah, a leading voice for India’s Muslim minority–grew frustrated with Gandhi’s methods, and what they saw as a lack of concrete gains. Arrested upon his return by a newly aggressive colonial government, Gandhi began a series of hunger strikes in protest of the treatment of India’s so-called “untouchables” (the poorer classes), whom he renamed Harijans, or “children of God.” The fasting caused an uproar among his followers and resulted in swift reforms by the Hindu community and the government.

In 1934, Gandhi announced his retirement from politics in, as well as his resignation from the Congress Party, in order to concentrate his efforts on working within rural communities. Drawn back into the political fray by the outbreak of World War II , Gandhi again took control of the INC, demanding a British withdrawal from India in return for Indian cooperation with the war effort. Instead, British forces imprisoned the entire Congress leadership, bringing Anglo-Indian relations to a new low point.

Partition and Death of Gandhi

After the Labor Party took power in Britain in 1947, negotiations over Indian home rule began between the British, the Congress Party and the Muslim League (now led by Jinnah). Later that year, Britain granted India its independence but split the country into two dominions: India and Pakistan. Gandhi strongly opposed Partition, but he agreed to it in hopes that after independence Hindus and Muslims could achieve peace internally. Amid the massive riots that followed Partition, Gandhi urged Hindus and Muslims to live peacefully together, and undertook a hunger strike until riots in Calcutta ceased.

In January 1948, Gandhi carried out yet another fast, this time to bring about peace in the city of Delhi. On January 30, 12 days after that fast ended, Gandhi was on his way to an evening prayer meeting in Delhi when he was shot to death by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu fanatic enraged by Mahatma’s efforts to negotiate with Jinnah and other Muslims. The next day, roughly 1 million people followed the procession as Gandhi’s body was carried in state through the streets of the city and cremated on the banks of the holy Jumna River.

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Mahatma Gandhi: What One Should Know Essay

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The book, The Essential Gandhi, covers essential things about Mahatma Gandhi that one should know. It contains quotes from the writings of Gandhi that talks about his life, work and his convictions.

The author presents Gandhi’s stand on issues like spirituality, suffering, poverty, politics, non-violence, and civic disobedience among others. Gandhi’s biographer, Luis Fischer, did this by collecting pierces of Gandhi’s work with some explanatory head notes on each of these works.

The book shows Gandhi from his early life and talks about him in two parts: first, as the man; second, as the Mahatma himself. Gandhi married his wife at an early age of thirteen years and went to Britain to study law. When he finished and went back to India, Gandhi did poorly in his work as a lawyer.

A group of Indian Muslims hired him to serve as a lawyer of their community in South Africa. It is here that Gandhi started undergoing transformation. The author says that “Gandhi was a self made man and the transformation began in South Africa … His was a remarkable case of second birth in one lifetime” (Gandhi, pg. 32).

Gandhi went through various forms of prejudice, harassment and beating but he held onto what he was convinced of as right. He also expressed his concerns and made known to people what he knew was right. He witnessed and experienced instances of racism and prejudice in his place of work, travel and even in his residency.

While in South Africa, he learnt that the Indian merchants did not practice justice in their business deals. Gandhi believed that this was not true. He called a meeting of all Indians in the city of Pretoria on arrival where he presented his first public speech. In reaction to the beliefs and actions of the merchants, Gandhi said, “I strongly contested this position in my speech and awakened the merchants to a sense of duty” (Gandhi, pg. 33).

The book also shows that Gandhi had compassion and determination. When a mob attacked him, he did not sue them, even though he had all the right to do so. He had compassion on this mob and was determined to let them learn their wrongs.

Gandhi stated that he was sorry due to the Mob’s ignorance and narrowness. He argued that he was sure these people were convinced that what they were doing was right and he had “no reason therefore to be angry with them” (Gandhi, pg. 44).

The book also addresses the issue of non-violence. Gandhi was a man of anger and he learnt, through biter experience, that trying to solve issues through violence out of anger was not good and sometimes could not bear fruit. He said that, “anger controlled can be transmuted into a power which can move the world” (Gandhi, pg. xii). Gandhi believed that it was not possible to change the convictions of a person by use of violence.

He learnt this through his wife who resisted his constant verbal and physical abuses to force her to do what was against her convictions. Through this knowledge, he suggested that people could not force governments to change their policies through violence and power politics.

This conviction also helped him to lead the people of India to resist the rule of the British by use of non-violence means. Through his message of nonviolence, Gandhi advised all people to embrace truth and oneness and seek this truth in other ways apart from violence.

Together with nonviolence, courage and truth were important political principles of Gandhi. He called these principles Satyagraba. He learnt and practiced these principles throughout his life.

When he came back to India, Gandhi applied these principles and led other Indians in applying them to exert civil disobedience against the British and thus gain their independence. According to him, national independence alone was not enough to give a person peace and prosperity.

The Essential Gandhi also brings out the issue of religion and shows how Gandhi viewed its various forms. He did not despise any religion. He gave a deep discussion of many forms of religion and their defects. His view on religion helped him try to unite the Indian people who were being divided along religious lines.

This book also addresses other issues and ideas, which Gandhi not only believed but advocated for and encouraged people to embrace. The author argues that Gandhi believed that untouchability was evil against humanity. Even though this was the case, his view on humanity made him to live together with those the society considered as untouchables.

He also argues that Gandhi’s claim of British citizenship shows that his move towards forming a movement to lead India to independence was not out of sheer patriotism. He valued humanity and considered it his responsibility to protect both camps of the British and the Indians.

He said, “I felt that if I demanded rights as a British citizen, it was also my duty, as such, to participate in the defense of the British Empire” (Gandhi). Thus, what drove Gandhi to seek freedom for the Indians was not the desire for political supremacy or patriotism, but it was for humanity.

Works Cited

Gandhi, Mahatma. The Essential Gandhi: An Anthology of His Writings on His Life, Work, and Ideas. New York: Random House Inc., 2002. Print.

• Non-Violence Approach to Conflicts
• Gandhi’s Thoughts on Inter-Religious Relations
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• Sherry Turkle’s Alone Together
• The Problem of People’s ‘Dangerous Evolutionary Baggage’
• Kafka’s Stories "The Metamorphosis" and "A Hunger Artist"
• Reflective Entry: “The stranger” by Albert Camus
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2019, June 26). Mahatma Gandhi: What One Should Know. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-essential-gandhi/

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Leadership Analysis: Mahatma Gandhi, Essay Example

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Introduction

“I suppose leadership at one time meant muscles; but today it means getting along with people.” Spoken from Mahatma Gandhi himself believed that there was more to leadership then brawns but instead through relationships formed with people. Leadership can be defined in several ways however leadership encompasses three central things, influence, their followers, and the common goal of all parties involved. Leadership is viewed from the casting of a collective vision that others want to follow. Mahatma Gandhi is one of the true definitions of a leader. He wasn’t born to be a leader, he was imperfect, but he was authentic. Gandhi became a famous writer, intellectual, gifted orator, and politician that changed the lives of millions. Not only was Gandhi influential to those around him but his power resonated with the likes of Nelson Mandela, Barack Obama, Albert Einstein, and others with his movements for civil rights, freedom, and non-violence.

Throughout this this leadership course the purpose was to show that anyone can be capable of leadership. The leadership styles are the mechanisms adopted by the leader in order to carry out the responsibilities of doing the greater good for others. In many profiles of great leaders most possessed the qualities that weren’t inherent but instead developed and created over times. Their leadership skills were carefully molded and polished over a period of time through experiences that gave them the will and motivation to put aside their ego and become a great leader. Great leaders are not born but instead can be learned and taught how to be an effective leader. Becoming a great leaders is a never-ending process that requires much practice, self-study and reflection, training, and experience. From Gandhi’s humble beginnings into learning and developing the skills of Gandhi’s influential transformative approach, Gandhi changed a nation. This paper will provide an analysis and assessment of why Mahatma Gandhi is the definition of a great leader and the style that he utilized in becoming an iconic leader in the world.

Born on October 2, 1869 in Porbandar a small village under British authority in western India he was the youngest child from his father’s fourth wife. Gandhi’s father, Kraramchand Gandhi was the chief minister or dewan of Porbandar that was able to be an influential presence or princes and the political officers in power. His mother, Putlibal was a very religious woman who did not see the importance in material things such as jewelry or fine clothes. She devoted much of time to worshiping and praying in the temple, at home she frequently fasted, and was also a servant to her family when they were sick. Mahatma grew up religious also worshiping the Hindu god Vishnu who tenets involved being non-violent and believe that everything in the universe is eternal. He steadily practiced fasting, self-purification, mutual tolerance, and noninjury all living beings. In school Gandhi was average he was punctual in his classes, he won scholarships and prizes but his school record wasn’t a standout. He married at age 13 and enjoyed long solitary walks and help his parents and around the house. He was the typical teenager that rebelled against his family, he would eat meat, became a secret atheist, did petty thefts, and smoked, however after each activity he vowed do never again do them and he kept his vows.

Gandhi began to mold his life after the Hindu gods Harishcandra and Prahlada that were embodiments of sacrifice and truthfulness. After passing his matriculation exams he went on to studied at college at the University of Bombay and Samaldas College. His passion was to become a doctor but family pressure persuaded him to seek positions in high offices within India. He then set off to London were he felt he would be surrounded by philosophers, intellectuals, and poet that were the center of civilization. He took the vow before leaving that he would abstain from women, wine, and meat, and went off to study law. There at the London University he worked hard to perfect his Latin and English but his difficulty in adapting to the western lifestyle prove to be the bigger hurdle. Upon following his vegetarian background he found a vegetarian restaurant where he was able to come out his shell and participate as an executive member of the London Vegetarian Society, where he was introduced to several notable figures that influence his thinking. He was introduced to the Bible, philosophical form of poetry Bhagavadgita, figures such as George Bernard Shaw, Edward Carpenter, Annie Besant, and others. The figures shared ideas of simple living, the evils of the capitalist society, and superiority of moral value over materialistic values.

When Gandhi returned to India he wasn’t welcomed with open arms, the law field was overcrowded and he had to accept a one year contract with a small Indian Firm. He moved to South Africa and that is where his leadership skills were molded. He stayed in South Africa for 21 years and experienced many forms of racism, discrimination, and harrowing encounters that left him looking for a change. He was beaten, thrown out, and banned from hotels that were restricted to only Europeans. His reaction to these actions were not the act of aggression but instead he felt that what he and other Indians were experiencing were a great injustice that attention needed to be given to. Returning to Pretoria he educated himself on the way of life of his fellow countrymen and tried to educate others on their rights. When he first was supposed to leave he learned that the Natal Legislative Assembly was preparing to pass a bill that barred Indians from voting, he felt a sense of urgency and dutifulness where he overcame his fears of public speaking and became a proficient political campaigner. He used his role to draft up several petitions, although he didn’t succeed against the bill he sparked the attention of the press and the public within England and India.

Gandhi founded the Natal Indian Congress where he invoked a spirit of kinship and solidarity within the Indian community. He drafted several letters and petitions to the legislatures and offices to make them aware of the mistreatment, the injustice, and the discrimination that was being conducted on the Indian citizens. Major media ran stories on Gandhi and he was able to meet with prominent leaders to address the situations to the public. He was attacked ferociously but he never would prosecute his assailants because he didn’t feel that he needed to seek redress in a court of law. When the South African Boer War broke out he spoke out against Indians who felt it was their duty to defend the British Crown. He raised a corps of volunteers to aid the injured where he instilled a sense of service to others. Although he was making progress elsewhere the South African Europeans were unmoved, and they passed a ordinance where Indians had register, Gandhi help to form a mass protest where they took a pledge to not obey the ordinance if it became law and was prepared to suffer the repercussions of breaking the law. He used the idea of civil disobedience where they resisted their adversaries, and were willing to suffer for their rights. It lasted for over seven years, Gandhi and his followers held fast to their resistance which included hundreds of Indians going to jail including Gandhi. They were sacrificing their livelihood and their liberty, they were imprisoned, shot, and flogged. Under pressure from British and India governments they negotiated a compromise led by Gandhi.

Shaping Gandhi’s Leadership Skills

Gandhi’s process of becoming an iconic leader were developed from his experiences that happened in South Africa. He stay in London helped to introduce him to new ideas and mold his views on what the government was doing to others. He views were aided by literature introduced including the Bible, Tolstoy, and philosophical poetry. He deciding on being a champion for the independence of India from Great Britain, the rights of Indians, Muslim and Hindu unity, and the issues that were effecting the poor, the inequalities and the injustices that were done to the Indian community. Gandhi accomplish these goals by developing an approach of civil disobedience that resisted the enemy tactics through non-violence. Although he didn’t display any of the leadership qualities as a child or throughout his years in England, once he saw the injustice of his kinsmen in South Africa he developed a spirit of leadership where he established direction, created a vision of freedom, aligned the people, and motivated them to make a change. (Northouse, 2013) Gandhi developed the three crucial skills to becoming an effective leader that included, human, technical, and conceptual. According to Zenger-Folkman what makes great leaders is their observant of leadership, “they need not only to understand some basic concepts and be reasonably well read, they need to able to judge everyday interactions and understand what is missing.” (Zenger-Folkman, 2005)

What sets great leaders apart from good leaders is their dedication and their duty to discipline. A trait that Gandhi clearly developed, it is considered more of important than a natural ability, because those with discipline will go beyond those with natural ability. Gandhi would also be considered a level 5 leader by Jim Collins. In his definition of what a great leader he defines that level 5 or great leaders are those that are willing to put their egos aside for the greater means to something larger and lasting than themselves. (Collins, 2001) Gandhi fully believed that leaders were just more than muscles but instead was about the relationships formed with individuals. The definition and purpose of leaders is view through a perspective that exclusive of the direct influence and motivation of others. Leadership is a processed practice where leaders can emerge out of necessity. In the case of Gandhi he felt that there was no other alternative. He wasn’t a very vocal person, and usually shy which proved difficult when presenting cases. The need for someone to stand up for him and his people inspired an overnight change in Gandhi were others responded favorably to him. He can be first viewed as an emergent leader when he spoke out against the proposed bill, the age of 25 he was bent on rallying others and changing the minds of those in power. Northouse believes that emergent leaders developed their skills from communication which involves them being verbal, informed of situations, seeks out others input, create new ideas, and can speak from an authoritative position. (Northouse, 2013) These skills are pertinent in organizations and in the case of Gandhi in motivating others.

In Gandhi’s development into becoming a great leader he displayed several leadership styles that helped him to become the leader of a nation. The style chosen needs to resonant with the followers, specifically being a resonant leader are those that are passionate about their mission and use their relationships that are formed with their follows to move them forward. What Gandhi clearly possessed was the power to inspire others. The theory of path goal leadership identifies that leaders incorporate the capabilities of defining their goals, clarifying the path to achieving these goals, and removing the barriers. This theory lays the foundation of being a transformative leaders. Gandhi motivated others through ethics, standards, values, and emotions. Gandhi’s idealology of nonviolence was a formative tool in combatting the injustices done to the Indians. He led an idealology that changed the mindset of others and made a difference that forced the government to come to a negotiation. His following of Satyagraha or (devotion to truth) was a technique that helped for redressing the wrongs of enemies without fighting them with violence. Gandhi felt that the courts couldn’t properly redress those that committed wrong to them. “There is a higher court than courts of justice and that is the court of conscience. It supersedes all other courts.” (Gandi) A transformational leader has the characteristics of being fearless, willful, humility, and creating a greater change. According to Collins, great leaders, “builds enduring greatness through a paradoxical combination of personal humility plus professional will.” (Collins, 2001)

One of the leadership styles that Gandhi clearly possessed was the servant leadership approach. This leadership style is closely aligned with a transformational leaders as they both but their followers first, and support their followers to grow and succeed. Gandhi aspired and motivated through empathy, listening, healing, persuasion, awareness, conceptualization, foresight, stewardship, commitment, and building community. (Northouse, 2013) Servant leaders such as Gandhi perform their leadership skills that empower others, uphold ethical standards, and creates value for the community. Although Gandhi was trained as lawyer he developed he skills of service when he lived in South Africa where he tried to educate and teach other Indians on their rights. His experiences of discrimination and injustice helped him to become dedicated to humanitarian work. He dedicated time to being a volunteer nurse at the local hospital were he was healed, and help to develop an ambulance corps during the South African Boer War. His dedication to service helped to influence others, which the corps was made up of local merchants, lawyers, and other servicemen.

Gandhi was a selfless leader that dedicated much of his life to serving the poor. He saw poverty as one of the greatest crimes of the world, to Gandhi serving the poor was one his greatest pleasures. He put others before him and even motivated his wife to sacrifice her liberty for the fight for others. She along with Gandhi were jailed several times, and she died while being in jail. Gandhi gave his life as well as he was assassinated trying to achieve on of his goals of uniting Hindu and Muslim brethren. His technique of nonviolence and support for others that weren’t like him transposed his death and carried into other movements and generations. His philosophy was that, “You can chain me, you can torture me, you can even destroy this body, but you will never imprison my mind.” (Gandhi, Brainy Quotes, 2013)

Characteristics and Skills of Gandhi’s Leadership

Gandhi possessed the skills of being a relational leader that held the power to be empathetic to the needs of the people. Gandhi developed powerful relationships with his followers and never placed his self on a higher pedestal. Involved in their problems and situations he struck a significant bond that resonated with those around him. Gandhi not only had the ability and the personality to resonant with his followers but intellectuals as well. He had the personality to be on the same level as those he was petitioning to in offices. Gandhi possessed what Northouse described as the Big Five Personality Factors which defined the mechanisms used in order to formulate relationships with others through extraversion, neuroticism, openness, conscientiousness, and agreeableness. (Northouse, 2013)

Gandhi had the qualities of being genuine and humble in his care for his kinsmen and his opponents. He took the causes of his followers and made them his own including the rights of the poor, the famers, the mill workers, the Muslims, and the Hindus. He fought for independence, unfair taxes, and fair treatment of the people in South Africa. He possessed the abilities of being an authentic leader that dedicated his life for the betterment of others. Bill George’s Authentic Leadership Approach shows the key characteristics of being an authentic leader. Understanding his followers’ purposes, establishing trusting relationships with his followers, demonstrating self-discipline, strong values and standards held on the right things to do, and being passionate about the missions. (Northouse, 2013) Gandhi felt that he had to lead by example he set up his life to a role model for others, although he had reported flaws and failures as a leader, it didn’t outweigh his methods, approaches, and practices on making a change for South Africa. He influence many notable figures that include Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr in their fight for civil rights, and influence Albert Einstein on living a morally superior life. Gandhi’s Leadership

What makes Mahatma Gandhi great was that he was revolutionary of creating change without subjugating violence. Unlike other leaders, authoritative figures, and rulers he didn’t have motivate with power possessed from making people do immoral acts. His views and actions resonant with an ethical leader that has a moral compass of knowing the differences between what is right and what is wrong. His teachings and upbringing thanks to his mother helped to mold his moral values that are significant in becoming an effective leader. What Gandhi possessed is the utilitarianism approach where the leaders display behaviors that create the greatest good for the greatest number. He would sacrifice his body through fasting in order to provoke change from others. His used his intellect and empathy formed with others in order to inspire and motivate others to perform the greatest good for others. His leadership skills were not innate or something that he was born with but instead it was something that he developed through life experiences, interactions, and relationships formed with others. His ideas, abilities, and qualities where transformed and placed on display once he needed to step up to help those that couldn’t. His leadership skills are something to aspire to, he influence countries, and he influenced other great minds and leaders. Mahatma Gandhi is a legend, an icon, and the embodiment of a leader that is not without flaws but puts others ahead of him in order to create a lasting change that will outlast him. Even through more research was conducted his legacy as a great leader still stands.

Gandhi’s results from his leadership include India’s independence, influence Nelson Mandela in his civil rights fight to end the apartheid in South Africa, and the civil rights movement within the United States. Gandhi was a political leader that innovated and invented a new way in which liberation was practice without violence and with the greatest devotion to change. His influence has been felt through several generations and will remain in the future. He is celebrated globally and annually through festivals, holidays, movies, monuments, and museums. His dedication to nonviolence and peace is shared through the creation of the Gandhi Peace Prize, and named one of the most political icons of all time.

Personally, leadership styles that Gandhi embodied create somewhat of an unreachable pedestal as Gandhi is a global icon of peace and change. He influences me in my daily activities to treat everyone in a humane matter, and to focus on the greatest good for all. He has inspired me to be more dedicated to humanitarian duties, and the duties to help those that are less fortunate. Gandhi felt much joy in helping those in poverty and felt it was one of the biggest crimes in the world. By placing one in the shoes of others it helps to emphasize with their problems and their struggles in order to think of something greater to help them. Gandhi is a figurehead of resistance attacks of people through nonviolence means. That means when people choose to be hateful towards me, the skills I possess and admire in Gandhi is to simply ignore. Gandhi has helped me realized that through small changes greatness can happen. One man was able to change a nation.

In conclusion Mahatma Gandhi is an exemplanary leader, which possesses the qualities and characteristics of a learned leader that sacrificed his life, liberty, and body in order to for the greater good. With the aid of readings throughout the course, this paper was able to explain the type of leadership styles that Gandhi possessed and the skills that he developed throughout his life in order to become a great leader. His legacy has surpassed his life and death and influenced other great leaders that motivated others to make a change in the world.

Ancona, Deborah, Malone, Thomas, Orlikowski, Wanda, Senge, Peter. “In Praise of the Incomplete Leader. (2007). Harvard Business Review . Retrieved from http://www.lifechallengeprogram.org/praise.pdf

Collins, Jim. (2001). “Level Five Leadership: The Triumph of Humility and Fierce Resolve.” Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from https://nuonline.neu.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-6597194-dt-content-rid-6911325_1/

Doyle, M. E. and Smith, M. K. (2001) “Classical leadership.” The Encyclopedia of Informal Educational. Retrieved from http://www.infed.org/leadership/traditional_leadership.htm

“Mahatma Gandi” (2013). Brainy Quotes . Retrieved from http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/mahatma_gandhi_2.html

“Mahatma Gandhi” (2013). Bibliography. Retrieved from http://www.biography.com/people/mahatma-gandhi-9305898

McKee, Annie, Boyatzis, Richard, Johnson, Frances. (2008). Becoming a Resonant Leader . Boston, Massachusetts. Harvard Business Press.

Northouse, Peter G., (2013) Theory and Practice, 6th Ed., Sage Publications.

Zengor-Folkman. (2005). “Great Leaders Makes a Great Difference.” The Extraordinary Leader . McGraw-Hill Publishing.

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Essay On Great Leader | Great Leader Essay for Students and Children in English

Essay On Great Leader: When we are to think of ‘a great leader’, our mind naturally turns towards a great leader — one of the greatest of the modern world — Mahatma Gandhi. for a political or a national leader who have the turn ‘Mahatma’ added to it, by itself determines and decides his greatness. No other leader of the modern age has achieved this distinction of being called a ‘Mahatma’:— one who is ‘great’ in ‘Soul’ — ‘Mahaan’ in ‘Atma’.

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Long and Short Essays on Great Leader Kids and Students in English

Given below are two essays in English for students and children about the topic of ‘Great Leader’ in both long and short form. The first essay is a long essay on the Great Leader of 400-500 words. This long essay about Great Leader is suitable for students of class 7, 8, 9 and 10, and also for competitive exam aspirants. The second essay is a short essay on Great Leader of 150-200 words. These are suitable for students and children in class 6 and below.

Below we have given a long essay on Great Leader of 500+ words that is helpful for classes 7, 8, 9, and 10 and Competitive Exam Aspirants. This long essay on the topic is suitable for students of class 7 to class 10, and also for competitive exam aspirants.

Let us first know something about his life and how from an ordinary lawyer he grew into a great soul.

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born is 1869 in Porbandar, Kathiawar in Gujarat. At the age of eighteen, he passed the University examination and went to England to study law. There, in England, he found himself very much out of place as the society there was quite different from the one in which Gandhi was born. He tried to adapt himself to that society — he studied law, put on the best English dress, even joined classes to learn dancing as the English men and women dance, even broke his vow given to his mother and ate meat. But in none of these ways did he achieve any success and he remained what he was. Only that he passed out the law examination and returned to his country — India — settled in Bombay as a lawyer.

Gandhi had been married, as per the normal social customs, at the early age of 13 years. He wrote in his autobiography how he was deeply attached to his wife. That is what it was but then life as a lawyer in Bombay started well. Gandhi was a very shy sort of a young man and that was a handicap for him as a lawyer. But then, as luck would have it, he got a chance to go to South Africa as a lawyer to one of his clients. This was a turning point in his life.

In South Africa — under the British rale then, he found that the native ‘blacks’ were treated by the ‘whites’ with great disgrace and humiliation. Even he, as an Indian, with a brown complexion, had to suffer this disgrace. He was thrown out of a first-class railway compartment by the ‘white’ Co-travellers as ‘blacks’ were not allowed to travel by a first-class. Having been physically assaulted and thrown out of the compartment, Gandhi at once struck upon an idea which flashed in his mind — passive-resistance — Satyagraha.

From then onwards, Gandhi started into a new role — an agitator against racial discrimination on behalf of the Indian Community in South Africa. He made Johannesburg and Praetoria as the centers of his agitation and established a center for the Indian Community at Phoenix. His tireless zeal in this matter earned him a great name and the Indian Community got great moral courage under his leadership. He addressed assemblies, was prosecuted and jailed, and suffered but would not give up. This strong-willed resistance won him the title of ‘Mahatma’.

Gandhi returned to India in January 1915 and soon got out organizing the labor class. The gruesome Jalianwala Bagh massacre of unarmed, peaceful assembly at Amritsar turned him to direct political protest against the British government. He became a dominant figure in the Indian National Congress. He launched his non¬cooperation movement against the British government in 1920-22, organized protest marches like the Dandi Salt March against the salt-tax.

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Gandhi was repeatedly imprisoned for civil disobedience and his final imprisonment came in 1942-44 as a result of his call, to the British to ‘Quit India’. So much honor had he won for himself by his selfless struggle that he was invited by the Emperor of Great Britain, King George V to meet him and he met him as he was, in a loincloth and a shawl over the shoulders. It was in this manner that he lastly met Lord Mountbatten and Lady Mountbatten to negotiate on Indian independence.

He had always fought for the rights of the downtrodden and called the untouchables of the Hindu Society as ‘Harijans’ and stayed with them in their colonies. He always fought for Hindu-Muslim unity.

A man of great moral courage, he fasted so many times, the last being the most dangerous for his life. He was against the creation of Pakistan but then that was done. He still fought for the sake of giving Pakistan its due and this led to a great Hindu backlash. On January 30, 1948, he was killed by a Zealot, Godse for his pro-Muslim and pro-Pakistan attitude.

But Gandhi remained an undisputed leader of the masses. His moral courage and his godliness rightly gave him the title of ‘Mahatma’ and he shall ever be remembered as the greatest leaders of the 20th century.

• When we think of a great leader, one thinks of Mahatma Gandhi.
• Born at Porbander, Kathiawar, Gujarat in 1869; married at the age of 13 and left for England at the age of 18 to study law.
• I wanted to become an Englishman while in England, tried to learn dancing, and even ate meat.
• On his return to India, he started practice at Bombay. I had the chance to go to South Africa to plead a case.
• This was the turning point in his life. In South Africa experienced racial discrimination practiced by the ‘White’ rulers against native ‘blacks’ Himself became its victim.
• Started agitation against this discrimination and launched ‘Satyagraha’ — passive resistance.
• Organized the Indian Community in this passive resistance, suffered persecution but did not give up. Became a leader with a great soul-force, a Mahatma.
• On arrival back to India organized laborers. The brutal massacre of innocent, unarmed people in Amritsar (Jalianwala Bagh) by the British Soldiers, shifted Gandhi’s field of activity to the political scene.
• Non-cooperation movements, passive resistance, Gandhi became the national leader with the Indian National Congress — suffered jail terms several times, undertook fasts.
• Remained committed to fighting against untouchability and for Hindu-Muslim unity. Lived a poor-mans life to be an example. Did not want a partition of the country, favored Muslims, and at last became the victim of a bullet on Jan. 30, 1948.

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Integrity. Ability to delegate. Communication. Self-awareness. Gratitude. Learning ability. Influence. Empathy.

2. What makes you a Great Leader?

A great leader posses a clear vision, is courageous, has integrity, honesty, humility, and clear focus. Great leaders help people reach their goals, are not afraid to hire people that might be better than them, and take pride in the accomplishments of those they help along the way.

3. What does a good leader look like?

Great leaders are people in which others have confidence and respect. They have clear goals but are very open to alternative perspectives. They care about the people who work with them but are capable of making hard decisions when necessary. They are self-confident without being loud, aggressive, or dominating.

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• Cultural India - History of India - Biography of Mahatma Gandhi
• IndiaNetzone - Biography of Mahatma Gandhi
• Bombay Sarvodaya Centre - Gandhi Book Centre - Mahatma Gandhi
• Stanford University - The Martin Luther King, Jr., Research and Education Institute - Mohandas K. Gandhi
• MapsofIndia.com - Mahatma Gandhi Biography
• UCLA Social Sciences - Mahatma Gandhi
• South African History Online - Biography of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
• The Nobel Prize - Mahatma Gandhi, the missing laureate
• GlobalSecurity.org - Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
• Bombay Sarvodaya Mandal / Gandhi Book Centre - Civil Disobedience in Political Theory and Social Practice
• Mahatma Gandhi - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)
• Mahatma Gandhi - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)
• Table Of Contents

Initially, Gandhi’s campaigns sought to combat the second-class status Indians received at the hands of the British regime. Eventually, however, they turned their focus to bucking the British regime altogether, a goal that was attained in the years directly after World War II. The victory was marred by the fact that sectarian violence within India between Hindus and Muslims necessitated the creation of two independent states—India and Pakistan—as opposed to a single unified India.

Gandhi’s family practiced a kind of Vaishnavism , one of the major traditions within Hinduism , that was inflected through the morally rigorous tenets of Jainism —an Indian faith for which concepts like asceticism and nonviolence are important. Many of the beliefs that characterized Gandhi’s spiritual outlook later in life may have originated in his upbringing. However, his understanding of faith was constantly evolving as he encountered new belief systems. Leo Tolstoy ’s analysis of Christian theology, for example, came to bear heavily on Gandhi’s conception of spirituality, as did texts such as the Bible and the Quʾrān , and he first read the Bhagavadgita —a Hindu epic—in its English translation while living in Britain.

Within India, Gandhi’s philosophy lived on in the messages of reformers such as social activist Vinoba Bhave . Abroad, activists such as Martin Luther King, Jr. , borrowed heavily from Gandhi’s practice of nonviolence and civil disobedience to achieve their own social equality aims. Perhaps most impactful of all, the freedom that Gandhi’s movement won for India sounded a death knell for Britain’s other colonial enterprises in Asia and Africa. Independence movements swept through them like wildfire, with Gandhi’s influence bolstering existing movements and igniting new ones.

Gandhi’s father was a local government official working under the suzerainty of the British Raj, and his mother was a religious devotee who—like the rest of the family—practiced in the Vaishnavist tradition of Hinduism . Gandhi married his wife, Kasturba , when he was 13, and together they had five children. His family stayed in India while Gandhi went to London in 1888 to study law and to South Africa in 1893 to practice it. He brought them to South Africa in 1897, where Kasturba would assist him in his activism, which she continued to do after the family moved back to India in 1915.

As lauded a figure as Gandhi has become, his actions and beliefs didn’t escape the criticism of his contemporaries. Liberal politicians thought he was proposing too much change too quickly, while young radicals lambasted him for not proposing enough. Muslim leaders suspected him of lacking evenhandedness when dealing with Muslims and his own Hindu religious community, and Dalits (formerly called untouchables) thought him disingenuous in his apparent intention to abolish the caste system . He cut a controversial figure outside India as well, although for different reasons. The English—as India’s colonizers—harboured some resentment toward him, as he toppled one of the first dominoes in their global imperial regime. But the image of Gandhi that has lasted is one that foregrounds his dogged fight against the oppressive forces of racism and colonialism and his commitment to nonviolence.

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Mahatma Gandhi (born October 2, 1869, Porbandar, India—died January 30, 1948, Delhi) was an Indian lawyer, politician, social activist, and writer who became the leader of the nationalist movement against the British rule of India . As such, he came to be considered the father of his country . Gandhi is internationally esteemed for his doctrine of nonviolent protest ( satyagraha ) to achieve political and social progress.

In the eyes of millions of his fellow Indians, Gandhi was the Mahatma (“Great Soul”). The unthinking adoration of the huge crowds that gathered to see him all along the route of his tours made them a severe ordeal; he could hardly work during the day or rest at night. “The woes of the Mahatmas,” he wrote, “are known only to the Mahatmas.” His fame spread worldwide during his lifetime and only increased after his death. The name Mahatma Gandhi is now one of the most universally recognized on earth.

Gandhi was the youngest child of his father’s fourth wife. His father—Karamchand Gandhi, who was the dewan (chief minister) of Porbandar , the capital of a small principality in western India (in what is now Gujarat state) under British suzerainty—did not have much in the way of a formal education. He was, however, an able administrator who knew how to steer his way between the capricious princes, their long-suffering subjects, and the headstrong British political officers in power.

Gandhi’s mother, Putlibai, was completely absorbed in religion , did not care much for finery or jewelry, divided her time between her home and the temple, fasted frequently, and wore herself out in days and nights of nursing whenever there was sickness in the family. Mohandas grew up in a home steeped in Vaishnavism —worship of the Hindu god Vishnu —with a strong tinge of Jainism , a morally rigorous Indian religion whose chief tenets are nonviolence and the belief that everything in the universe is eternal. Thus, he took for granted ahimsa (noninjury to all living beings), vegetarianism , fasting for self-purification, and mutual tolerance between adherents of various creeds and sects.

The educational facilities at Porbandar were rudimentary; in the primary school that Mohandas attended, the children wrote the alphabet in the dust with their fingers. Luckily for him, his father became dewan of Rajkot , another princely state. Though Mohandas occasionally won prizes and scholarships at the local schools, his record was on the whole mediocre . One of the terminal reports rated him as “good at English, fair in Arithmetic and weak in Geography; conduct very good, bad handwriting.” He was married at the age of 13 and thus lost a year at school. A diffident child, he shone neither in the classroom nor on the playing field. He loved to go out on long solitary walks when he was not nursing his by then ailing father (who died soon thereafter) or helping his mother with her household chores.

He had learned, in his words, “to carry out the orders of the elders, not to scan them.” With such extreme passivity, it is not surprising that he should have gone through a phase of adolescent rebellion, marked by secret atheism , petty thefts, furtive smoking, and—most shocking of all for a boy born in a Vaishnava family—meat eating. His adolescence was probably no stormier than that of most children of his age and class. What was extraordinary was the way his youthful transgressions ended.

“Never again” was his promise to himself after each escapade. And he kept his promise. Beneath an unprepossessing exterior, he concealed a burning passion for self-improvement that led him to take even the heroes of Hindu mythology, such as Prahlada and Harishcandra—legendary embodiments of truthfulness and sacrifice—as living models.

In 1887 Mohandas scraped through the matriculation examination of the University of Bombay (now University of Mumbai ) and joined Samaldas College in Bhavnagar (Bhaunagar). As he had to suddenly switch from his native language— Gujarati —to English, he found it rather difficult to follow the lectures.

Meanwhile, his family was debating his future. Left to himself, he would have liked to have been a doctor. But, besides the Vaishnava prejudice against vivisection , it was clear that, if he was to keep up the family tradition of holding high office in one of the states in Gujarat, he would have to qualify as a barrister . That meant a visit to England , and Mohandas, who was not too happy at Samaldas College, jumped at the proposal. His youthful imagination conceived England as “a land of philosophers and poets, the very centre of civilization.” But there were several hurdles to be crossed before the visit to England could be realized. His father had left the family little property; moreover, his mother was reluctant to expose her youngest child to unknown temptations and dangers in a distant land. But Mohandas was determined to visit England. One of his brothers raised the necessary money, and his mother’s doubts were allayed when he took a vow that, while away from home, he would not touch wine, women, or meat. Mohandas disregarded the last obstacle—the decree of the leaders of the Modh Bania subcaste ( Vaishya caste), to which the Gandhis belonged, who forbade his trip to England as a violation of the Hindu religion—and sailed in September 1888. Ten days after his arrival, he joined the Inner Temple , one of the four London law colleges ( The Temple ).

The Role of Mahatma Gandhi in India’s Independence

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Good morning, respected teachers, parents, and my dear friends!

Today, we gather to celebrate Indian Independence Day , a day that marks our nation’s freedom from British rule. As we reflect on this historic occasion, it is essential to remember the pivotal role played by one of our greatest leaders— Mahatma Gandhi . His leadership, principles, and unwavering commitment to non-violence were instrumental in securing India’s independence.

Introduction to Mahatma Gandhi

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi , fondly known as Mahatma Gandhi, was born on October 2, 1869. He is revered as the “Father of the Nation” for his significant contributions to India’s freedom struggle. Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence (ahimsa) and civil disobedience (satyagraha) became the cornerstone of the Indian independence movement.

Early Life and Influences

Gandhi studied law in England and later worked in South Africa, where he experienced racial discrimination firsthand. These experiences shaped his beliefs and strategies in fighting injustice. He returned to India in 1915 and soon became involved in the struggle for independence.

Key Movements Led by Gandhi

The non-cooperation movement (1920-1922).

Gandhi launched the Non-Cooperation Movement in response to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and other atrocities committed by the British. He urged Indians to withdraw their cooperation from the British government by boycotting British goods, institutions, and services. This movement united millions of Indians and marked a significant step towards self-rule.

The Salt March (1930)

One of Gandhi’s most iconic acts of civil disobedience was the Salt March in 1930. To protest the British monopoly on salt production and sales, Gandhi led a 240-mile march to the Arabian Sea, where he made salt from seawater. This act of defiance inspired millions of Indians to join the fight against British rule and highlighted the power of non-violent resistance.

The Quit India Movement (1942)

In 1942, Gandhi launched the Quit India Movement , demanding an end to British rule. He called for mass civil disobedience, urging Indians to “Do or Die” in their quest for freedom. The British responded with arrests and violence, but the movement intensified the call for independence and demonstrated the Indian people’s resolve to achieve self-rule.

Gandhi’s Philosophy of Non-Violence

Gandhi’s commitment to non-violence was central to his approach. He believed that non-violent resistance was not only morally superior but also more effective in the long run. His principles of truth (satya) and non-violence inspired countless Indians to join the independence movement and adopt peaceful methods of protest.

Legacy and Impact

Gandhi’s leadership and philosophy left an indelible mark on India and the world. His methods influenced numerous global leaders and movements, including Martin Luther King Jr. and the American Civil Rights Movement. Gandhi’s vision for an independent India was not just political freedom but also social and economic justice for all.

As we celebrate Independence Day, let us remember the immense contributions of Mahatma Gandhi. His unwavering commitment to non-violence, truth, and justice paved the way for India’s freedom. Gandhi’s legacy continues to inspire us to fight for our rights and uphold the values of peace and equality.

Thank you for your attention, and Jai Hind!

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Krishn reports on politics and strategic affairs from the Indian subcontinent. He has previously worked at the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, an international investigative consortium; The Indian Express; and The Caravan magazine, writing about defence, politics, law, conglomerates, media, elections and investigative projects. A graduate of Columbia University's journalism school, Krishn has won multiple awards for his work.

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Mahatma gandhi at 150: lessons on leadership.

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Today, October 2, marks the 150 th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi.  Around the world, Gandhi’s legacy of non-violence and as the father of India’s Independence Movement is being commemorated and analyzed for relevance in our increasingly turbulent times.  Gandhi became the role model for the most successful political movement leaders of the 20th century – from Martin Luther King to Lech Walesa, Cesar Chavez and Nelson Mandela.

Had he come of age today, Gandhi might have branded himself as a “social entrepreneur”.  In reality, few social entrepreneurs have achieved anywhere near the scale of impact that Gandhi was able to.  But the comparison is apt, as Gandhi was never a head of state or government, but instead, the head of a private organization - the Indian National Congress, that, along with its many partners, mobilized an incredibly diverse and complex peoples into a united movement against British imperialism.  He led first and foremost by understanding the diversity of India and its people – economically, culturally, religiously, and deeply integrating that diversity into the Independence movement.  He further integrated himself into the movement by dedicating his life to the cause, living as much among the people as possible, and actually risking death many times for the cause.  While there may never be another Gandhi, there is no reason that today’s committed social entrepreneurs can’t embrace their own version of Gandhi’s personal and political leadership commitment.

Arguably, Gandhi’s greatest leadership trait was his ability to visualize the qualities of a successful, post-Independence Indian nation, and maintain a life-long focus on the four intertwined challenges that he believed must be collectively addressed for India to achieve success as a nation.  The four challenges, or goals, as articulated by Ramchandra Guha in his book,  “ Gandhi, The Years That Changed The World ”; were: to free India from British occupation, to end untouchability, to improve relations between Hindus and Muslims, and to make India into a self-reliant nation – economically and socially.   Gandhi aligned most of the social movements he led around these four goals - starting with his work in South Africa and continuing until his death.  He believed firmly that without addressing all four challenges simultaneously, India could not acquire independence and become a successful nation.   Without communal harmony between Hindus and Muslims, or between upper caste and lower caste Hindu’s, for example, Gandhi did not believe India would ever achieve its potential.

A second element of Gandhi’s leadership was his lifelong commitment to achieving that intertwined vision of a successful Indian nation.  Starting in the 1890’s with his work in South Africa until his death in 1948, Gandhi wrote, mobilized and preached about the same goals of freedom, inclusion, harmony, diversity and empowerment.  Today, few of the most committed social entrepreneurs have the energy to stay engaged on the same set of issues for 50-60 years.  Dr. Muhammad Yunus of the Grameen Bank has been one, very notable exception.

Mahatma Gandhi

Gandhi’s most well-known, and most-studied, leadership trait was his willingness to live like the majority of Indians that he sought to help, and his exhortation that all Indians “be the change they wish to see in this world”.    It seems obvious, but in a day and age when NGO leaders are in Davos, London and New York as much as they are in the villages, and when NGO salaries remain a hot topic, Gandhi’s ability to live comfortably among villagers and the urban poor – to be the change he wished to see, brought him the credibility, trust and intellectual understanding needed to lead India’s independence movement.  While today’s social entrepreneurs also have compelling visions for change, they are often unable to separate themselves from the global elite to which they have historically belonged.  And fairly or unfairly, many for-profit entrepreneurs and social enterprises are perceived as seeking to profit off the backs of the world’s poor, and never gain credibility, even when their primary objective and motivation is to improve the human condition.

Gandhi’s least studied leadership trait was his ability to use the fast as a social and political weapon.  Over the course of his life time, Gandhi fasted 14 times for social, religious or political purposes – a skill he mastered through personal practice.  He would fast for personal penance and to build his own capacity for sacrifice, ahimsa and brahmacharya.

Today in business and entrepreneurship, we often talk about core competency and disruptive innovation.  Entrepreneurs are told to develop a product or service that is difficult to compete against - technically complex, different from the past and very difficult to replicate by others.

Gandhi’s ability to fast for social change was his core competency.  It took him many years to train his body and mind to function without food, and only later did he use the fast as a political weapon.  No one else could do it and there was no answer for it – from anyone.  The British never had an effective response, nor did angry Indian communal rioters.  In each case, Gandhi’s fasts brought capitulation to his wishes, because anything was a more acceptable solution than to allow Gandhi’s death.   It was a great innovation in social movements that, except for Cesar Chavez’s fasts for farm workers in California, has never been remotely replicated.

The elements of Gandhi’s leadership model remain relevant today.  Whether a leader is seeking to end sexual discrimination, eradicate HIV/AIDS or legislate a jobs program, they will need their own version of Gandhi’s leadership model - re-imagined in their own vision.   In the age of the #MeToo movement, for example, leaders for gender equality and an end to sexual harassment must attack the intertwined issues of religion, family structure, sexism, and the transformation of labor markets.  Similarly, to eradicate the HIV virus will require new drugs and vaccines, but will also transformation in the health care system, cultural norms around sexuality, building rural health delivery programs and many other things.  These will take a life time to achieve and require leaders with great credibility and trust amongst the communities they are seeking to help and change.  Gandhi was able to maintain the support of India’s upper caste Hindu’s and industrialists while maintaining the trust of the rural and poor.

What’s missing today is the 2019 version of the fast.  We have major global crises in areas like climate change and forced migration, but no leaders who have yet found tools, like Gandhi’s fast-till-death, to push public opinion and government leaders to action.  Our greatest commemoration of Gandhi’s life may be to find the tools that lead to large-scale change non-violently, but forcibly in the same manner that he did so effectively.

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