Mohandas K. Gandhi

A Simple Picture of Mahatma Gandhi

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, also known as Mahatma Gandhi, was one of the greatest freedom fighters of the 19/20th centuries. Gandhi was born in India; more specifically, in the town of Porbander, located in what is now the state of Gujarat, on October 2, 1869. He was schooled in Rajkot, where his father served as the adviser to the local ruler. In May of 1883, at just 13 years of age, Gandhi was married to Kasturba, who was even younger. Over the course of about 17 years they had four sons named: Harilal Gandhi, Manilal Gandhi, Ramdas Gandhi, and Devdas Gandhi. Although caring for his family was a necessity, Gandhi decided to leave for London to further his education.

On September 4, 1888, Gandhi went to University College London to train himself as a lawyer. Soon, after successfully studying law in London, Gandhi returned to India. In 1891, he tried desperately to set up a law firm in Bombay, but later found work as a legal adviser in Durban, South Africa. There, he successfully brought equality to the people, for South Africa was an Apartheid nation. This was Gandhi’s first step in becoming a revolutionary and bringing freedom to his people.

Gandhi accomplished quite a lot in his life. First, he cared for his large family and never let them down. Then, he brought equality and happiness to the Indian people in South Africa. Soon after, he brought peace to India and drove the British out, all while not even intimidating his foes. His main weapons were non-cooperation and peaceful rebellion. After years of resistance against the British, Gandhi finally received news in 1947, stating that India was a free nation. Gandhi had accomplished this valiant task after years of hard work and sacrifice. This is what makes him a hero.

Unfortunately, on January 30, 1948, Gandhi was assassinated while having his nightly walk on the grounds of the Birla Bhavan in New Delhi. There were about five hundred people around him when a Hindu extremist named Nathuram Godse slowly approached him. Gandhi put his hands together in a traditional gesture of greeting. Instead of returning the gesture, Godse pulled out a pistol and fired three bullets into Gandhi's chest. It is said that for a moment, Gandhi continued to walk forward, then crumpled and died.

One popular story about Gandhi’s accomplishments is how he brought peace to a foreign nation without even thinking about violence. On arriving in South Africa in 1893, Gandhi was appalled. This was because Apartheid was thriving in this area, and therefore it was quite apparent that anyone who was not white was treated as inferior. Gandhi decided to do something about this problem, and began his method of passive resistance and non-cooperation. He often suffered prolonged terms of imprisonment and was harshly beaten several times. He never resisted his punishments, he only waited for the government to realize their wrong doing and stop. Finally, after twenty years of abuse, his method of peaceful rebellion payed off, for in 1914, the South African government made several concessions to the Indians living there.

I think of a hero as someone that sacrifices their well being for the welfare of others. When I incorporate this trait to public figures, the first person to pop up in my mind is Mahatma Gandhi. Maybe it is because he freed my nation from the British rule, or the fact that he did what he did non-violently. For without Gandhi, I either wouldn’t be here right now or would be British. Gandhi has inspired millions of people all around the world. The more people learn about him, the more they appreciate how this frail old man freed an entire nation from one of the most powerful forces in the world. The thing that struck me the most inspiring, was the fact that if he had wanted to, Gandhi could have lived leisurely as a lawyer. Instead, he devoted his entire life to prayer, fasting and meditation. He accepted no money for his deeds and wore basic clothes. He literally lived off fruit, vegetables and milk. Most importantly, he gave up his personal life and comfort in order to bring peace to millions of others. This is what makes Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi my hero.