The Life and Times of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

1. The Life and Times of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi Name: Vamsi Varanasi Grade: Year 5, YGIC Place photo here “Be the change that you want to see in the world.”

2. History- British Rule in India (1858-1947) • British came to India in the late 1700’s to do trade • Those days India was existing as separate kingdoms. • The British started slowly occupying India one kingdom at a time by creating the differences between the kings. • By 1858 they completely occupied India • Gandhi fought for the Independence of India from British and finally got independence in 1947 The British Indian Empire and surrounding countries in 1909 Queen Victoria, “Empress” of the British Empire

3. Early Life • Born on October 2, 1869 to Karamchand and Putilbai Gandhi • He was born in Porbandar, Gujarat, India • Was very shy in school and was afraid of ghosts • Was not a very good student, poor in English • Had a good, religious family • Known as Mohania and Mohan in his childhood • One time in a school exam he refused to copy the word “kettle” from his fellow student even though his teacher asked him to do, because he considered it as wrong. • He learned to tell the truth at a very early age as he realized that he felt bad by lying to his dad The youngest known photograph of Mohandas Gandhi

4. Gandhi in South Africa • Studied law in England • Then moved to South Africa to become a barrister (lawyer) • Indians were treated very badly & called “coolies” there in those days • One time Gandhi bought a First Class train ticket but was denied his seat because he was an Indian. • That event changed his life and he fought against Indian discrimination in South Africa • He used nonviolent methods to fight. • A 1 year contract turned into 22 years in South Africa • Returned to India in 1914 when British were still ruling India Gandhi in South Africa

5. Satyagraha • Gandhi played a big part in the fight for India‘s fight for independence from the British • Instead of fighting with weapons, he used nonviolence • Called this method Satyagraha (“truth force" in Sanskrit) • Led the Quit India movement • Other political leaders from other countries used Gandhi’s techniques like Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr. The Quit India movement

6. In Prison with Other Leaders • Imprisoned by the British for his non-cooperation and satyagraha acts • Imprisoned with other leaders e.g. Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhas Chandra Bose, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel • Mahadev Desai was his follower, secretary and Gandhi used to discuss important matters with him. Desai died in the jail when he was imprisoned with Gandhi • Kasturbai (Gandhi’s wife) also died in prison Jawaharlal Nehru and Gandhi Subhas Chandra Bose Vallabhbhai Patel and Gandhi Bal Gangadhar Tilak

7. Important Events in Gandhi's life

8. “Mahatma”- A Great Soul • He met with Rabindranath Tagore, a famous poet from West Bengal who also won Noble prize for literature • Tagore was impressed with Gandhi’s work and approaches to fight for Indian Independence • Rabindranath Tagore called Gandhi “ Mahatma” a great soul and that is how Gandhi is known even today. • Indians honor Gandhi by erecting his statues and naming streets after him. His picture is even on the Indian currency notes and coins. Tagore and Gandhi

9. Bhagavad-Gita • Gandhi used to read and follow Bhagavad-Gita • He referred to the Gita for solace when he was feeling down • Derived many of his principles from it • Ironically, Gandhi first read Gita in England and he always kept a Gita book with him till the end of his life. • He spent his free time in translating the Gita from Sanskrit into Gujarati and later in to English • He said in his own words, “When disappointment stares me in the face and all alone I see not one ray of light, I go back to the Bhagavad-Gita. I find a verse here and a verse there , and I immediately begin to smile in the midst of overwhelming tragedies -- and my life has been full of external tragedies -- and if they have left no visible or indelible scar on me, I owe it all to the teaching of Bhagavad-Gita.” Gandhi’s English translation of the Bhagavad-Gita

10. Assassination of Gandhi Gandhi’s ashes • After independence, Gandhi opposed partition of the country into Pakistan and India on the basis of religion which was proposed by the British • Was killed on January 30, 1948 by Hindu extremists who did not like his principles • Nathuram Godse reportedly bowed to Gandhi and then shot him • Gandhi’s last words were “Hey Ram” (“o lord”) • Had one of the longest funeral processions ever recorded A British newspaper showing Gandhi’s funeral procession

11. Mahatma Gandhi's Achievements • Mahatma Gandhi stopped the British rule in India and got independence • Made life better for many poor people • He encouraged production of local products like yarn and cloth • He showed the world the power of non violence

12. Gandhi’s Favorite Bhajan • He liked the meaning – Eswar and Allah are the same – One god • He used to sing it frequently • Even today people in the Gandhi Ashrams sing it “Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram Patita Pavana Sitaram”

13. Bibliography • www.wikipedia.com • Gandhi – By Amy Pastan • Mohandas K. Gandhi – By Charles Shields • Gandhi – By Philip Wilkinson • Gandhi, Great Soul – John Severance THANK YOU