Mahatma Gandhi Biography for Kids & Children

Mahatma Gandhi is well-known worldwide and was popularly named the “Father of the Nation.” He was a great leader in India’s freedom struggle. He was born on 2 October 1869 in Porbandar. He opposed the British rule with non-violence and Satyagraha. His life will always remain full of inspiration as he was assassinated on 30 January 1948.

Here you will get very useful information about Mahatma Gandhi. You are going to like it. You can also read more Biographies about people, famous personalities, sports persons many more like this Biography on Mahatma Gandhi.

Mahatma Gandhi Biography in Short

He was famously known as “Bapu,” and it was the great leader and theorist of the Indian freedom struggle. His life was built upon principles concerning truth, social justice, and non-violence.

Early life and education

He received his preliminary education at Porbandar and thereafter proceeded to England for his law studies. Where he lived among Western culture and ideas.

After completing his law studies, Gandhi proceeded to South Africa to fight for the rights of the Indian community. There, Gandhi first used Satyagraha, from which later all his movements were framed.

It contributed to the freedom struggle

He returned back to India in the year 1915 and began to take part in the freedom movement. The course he chose was that of a non-violent movement for voice of dissent. The Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919 strengthened the motivation.

Vital movements like Champaran, Kheda, and Dandi under his leadership brought Indian masses together. Dandi March took place in the year 1930 when he walked towards the sea with salt law violation.

Ideas and Concepts

As far as Gandhiji is considered, one of the most prominent principles that he followed was “truth and non-violence.” He always underscored the fact that violence cannot solve any problem. His life was simple and plain; he demanded wearing Khadi and using indigenous fabrics.

Heritage

He liberated India, but more importantly, he taught the rest of the world a lesson in non-violence. His birthday anniversary, October 2 is celebrated as “Gandhi Jayanti” and has recently been called International Non-Violence Day as well.

Death

Nathuram Godse assassinated Gandhi on the 30th January 1948. The death of this great leader made the country mourn, but his principles and ideas remain. Mahatma Gandhi’s life teaches that everything can be met with the conquest of truth and non-violence. All his thoughts and contributions shall survive for centuries to come.

Mahatma Gandhi Biography

Mahatma Gandhi is the title given to the finest freedom fighter in Indian independence. The birth name of this great personality was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. He lived an inspiration life based on truth, non-violence, and social justice.

He was born on 2nd October, 1869, in the small town of Porbandar in Gujarat. He can be termed as the most outstanding figure of the Indian independence movement with ideas influencing India as well as the world.

Full NameMohandas Karamchand Gandhi
Birth2 October 1869, Porbandar, British India
Death30 January 1948, New Delhi, Dominion of India
Cause of DeathAssassination (gunshot wounds)
MonumentsRaj Ghat, Gandhi Smriti
Other NamesBāpū (Father), Rāṣṭrapitā (Father of the Nation)
CitizenshipBritish Empire (until 1947), Dominion of India (from 1947)
EducationSamaldas Arts College, University College London, Inns of Court School of Law
OccupationsLawyer, Anti-colonialist, Political Ethicist
Known ForLeadership of India’s independence campaign, Nonviolent resistance
Political PartyIndian National Congress (1920–1934)
SpouseKasturba Gandhi (m. 1883; died 1944)
ChildrenHarilal, Manilal, Ramdas, Devdas
ParentsKaramchand Gandhi, Putlibai Gandhi
PositionPresident of Indian National Congress (Dec 1924 – Apr 1925)

Childhood Period

Mahatma Gandhi was born into an upper caste Hindu family. His father, Karamchand Gandhi, who was an a_uart_ Diwan of Porbandar, had married Putlibai Gandhi, a religious and simple-living woman. His mother taught him about religiosity, truth, and morality during his early years of education.

Both education and law are given the same weight

Gandhiji did his early education at Porbandar. After this, he went to England for law studies in England. In this, he dealt with different cultures and streams of thoughts, opened up the country seen by him. Here he took to vegetarianism, an incident which changed the course of life.

The crisis in South Africa

The most prominent movement in Gandhiji’s life is the South Africa Movement. There he started fighting for the rights of the Indian community. He practiced Satyagraha during his stay in South Africa, and it was also a point in time for him that really made him even to start his political and social activities and later raise voice against the apartheid system and fight for the rights of Indians.

In South Africa, Gandhi formulated the concept of “Satyagraha.” It was the practice of fighting for one’s truth in a non-violent manner. Among his many movements against apartheid were his rights for Indians movements, the “Dandi” and “Satyagraha Movements.”.

On returning to India

He came back to India in 1915 and joined the freedom struggle movement. The tool he used for raising his voice against dissent was non-violent movement. Jallianwala Bagh Massacre of 1919, with severely damaged structures, was the spark for his movement.

Main Streams

Mahatma Gandhi initiated many big movements, some of which are stated as follows:.

  • Champaran Movement (1917): He fought for the welfare of farmer’s rights. In this movement, he raised his voice against the British government. The farmers of Champaran were forced to grow crops under Nila, which gradually led to an economic problem in later stages. He fought for the rights of the farmers and won.
  • Kheda Movement (1918): The farmers were demanding the exemption of agricultural tax. Gandhiji agitated with the farmers and managed to make the government realize the difficulties faced by the farmers.
  • Dandi March (1930): It was an agitation against the salt tax, when Gandhiji prepared salt at the seashore. It was to emerge as a symbol of an internationally known event and gave a new orientation to the freedom movement in India.
  • Quit India Movement (1942): This is the final battle for freedom. This time, he gave the slogan “Do or Die” and spread the movement all over the country successfully.

Ideas and Principles

The ideas and principles of Mahatma Gandhi have been an inspiration to people even in the present day. He was always saying that “truth is the greatest religion” and “non-violence is the most potent weapon.” According to him, one should follow truth and morality in his life.

He has always protected the weak sections of society and worked for their upliftment. In addition, he raised voice against untouchability and casteism. According to his opinion, every man should get equal rights in society irrespective of any caste, religion, or class.

Personal life

Mahatma Gandhi’s private life was also inspiring people. Kasturba Gandhi had been his wife when he was 13 years old. Kasturba always supported his movement and helped him to pursue further ideas. Gandhi also followed simplicity and vegetarianism in his family.

He believed in the simplest of lives. His belongings were poor, and he strictly followed his ideology. He wore Khadi, and urged others to wear clothes made in India.

Last Days

Mahatma Gandhi died when Nathuram Godse assassinated him on 30th January 1948. This attack loss appeared to be a great shock for Indians and to the world at large. His thought still inspires human beings at large today, when his ideas and the ideology continue to influence mankind.

He was unique because inspiration from the cause of peace and devotion to the truth made him one of the greatest lights of humanity. His life teaches us that struggle and change are only possible by non-violence and truth.

Hebe legacy

Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy is not just important for Indian history but also for the world’s history. His ideas and principles form the bed of many movements to date. Since it was Gandhi’s birthday, it was celebrated as “Gandhi Jayanti” or International Day of Non-Violence on 2nd October every year.

Another very very crucial step in the accomplishment of their goal was taken by Indian leaders when Gandhi adopted a purely non-violent approach and introduced a huge tide of people who submitted themselves to this policy, which did not only affect India but also the world.

Most leaders including Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela followed the principles of the movement started by Gandhi.

Conclusion

He was a bright face who faced any big challenge after following the rules and regulations based on truth and non-violence. This man taught us how to bring some change in society with huge courage and perseverance.

It is due to his contribution that ideas are still working in people’s minds. His birth anniversary, October 2, is celebrated as “Gandhi Jayanti” and honored as International Day of Non-Violence.

His life inspires us: we learn to live up to being so conscious and committed to our values. And according to Gandhi, “You have to be the change you want to see in the world.” It is for this reason that his life as well as his ideas are alive in people’s hearts and remain inspirational.

His thoughts underpinned the slogan of independence among people’s minds and one great movement followed. Gandhi was an influential leader who stirred the world with his outlook that he was against violence, patient, and tolerable. We can take forward the legacy of Gandhiji to be too busy and continue changing society only when we understand the struggle and principles behind it.

His message will inspire us time and again that the path of truth and non-violence is the best. It still inspires the people for Mahatma Gandhi’s contribution. His life inspired us that we can solve each and every social and political problem by choosing the path of truth and non-violence.

The principle of “Sarva Dharma Samabhava” is especially needed in today’s society wherein diversity and tolerance are in great demand. Hence, the life of Mahatma Gandhi teaches us how devotedly we can be to our ideas and dogmas. And his influence will remain with us for many centuries, and his teachings will always be there with us.

Frequently Asked Questions on Mahatma Gandhi

Here are some questions related to Mahatma Gandhi, that people searched on Search Engines like Google, Bing, Yahoo, etc.

When is Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary celebrated?

His birth anniversary is celebrated on October 2, which is also called International Non-Violence Day.

Which movement did Gandhiji call “Grihastha Movement”?

He called the Khadi movement “Grihastha Movement”.

What was the message of Mahatma Gandhi?

His message was that it is necessary to follow truth and non-violence to bring change in the society.

What is the major contribution of Mahatma Gandhi?

His major contribution was to encourage non-violent movement in the Indian freedom struggle.

Conclusion

I hope you like this Biography of Mahatma Gandhi, share them with your friends, relatives, classmates, etc. You can also read more about other topics at LearnEnglishGrammar.in Please review in the comment box.

Leave a Comment