Mohandas Gandhi

Gandhi adjectives (I drew it (Mekail))

I chose to read about Gandhi because he liberated the country of India from British Rule, he tried to liberate it as peacefully as possible. The book is a biography and indicates events during the period of liberation. The book is two hundred and thirty-nine pages long. The biography covers Gandhi's birth to his death (2 October 1869 - 30 January 1948) and was written in 2013. The author of the book is Arvind Sharma who is professor of comparative religion at McGill University. He is currently engaged in promoting the adoption of a Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the World's religion's. Some of his more famous works include Our Religions and Women in World Religions. Gandhi went for university to London to study law. He had made a promise to his mother that he would never drink wine, eat meat, or be with women during his years in London and he kept his promise.

Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869 in the city of Porbandar on the western coast of India. The modest house in which Gandhi was born still stands that is three stories high. Gandhi was Born in a harsh environment. He was born at the time India was a part of the British empire. Gandhi's father, Karamchand Gandhi had two Daughters from his earlier marriage, then finally married Gandhi's mother Putlibai. Gandhi had one sister and four sons,the youngest was Mahatma Gandhi. The school Gandhi went to is unknown. Gandhi had started to learn lots of new things at a young age from all his mistakes throughout life especially to never lie and keep promises to his parents. Gandhi was interested in historical people and their impact on the world as he had enjoyed reading. Gandhi had made many mistakes in adolescence but the biggest events in his life were when he had stolen money twice, once from his own brother to pay for something. Gandhi was inspired by a social activist named Shravana Kumar. Gandhi as a Hindu couldn't have meat but he had once tried lamb and had a terrible dream that, that lamb was dying with pain as it was ripped apart by Gandhi's teeth. He wanted to become a well educated lawyer after his studies in London. When he was traveling through London on trains he was told to move to the back cart and when he refused they forced him out at the next station. After that experience Gandhi stood up and gave a speech to a group of Indians after his return to India. He became one of the major political and spiritual leaders of his time because of his efforts and determination for freedom of his people. He was a vegetarian and would fast for self-purification. He stood up for women's right and for the rights of the poor.

One of the challenges that Gandhi had to live through was his followers to remain non-violent. Gandhi had started a fast to show his own followers that violence was not the key to freedom or peace and peaceful ways could be used to protest. He had continued his work alone until he came into the presence of Ramana Maharshi, a socialist that kept peace between the British while Gandhi protested in large numbers for the freedom of the country. They had worked together for quite a while, but when they had to separate Ramana Maharshi influenced him to let the world know of his struggle to free India. He couldn't accomplish it himself and that was when he started to fast to make the British look bad to the rest of the world. Gandhi had three great qualities that helped him accomplish his goal, he had courage so he would never stand down for the freedom of his country. An example of that was that Gandhi took leadership of the Congress in 1920 and began his demand with the British even though they would decline his demands, he continued till the time the Indian National Congress declared the independence of India. He protested without violence. When his demands were declined he would go on a starvation protest and requested his followers not to hurt anyone. He never lied or broke a promise especially to his parents. When Gandhi was in London he struggled to not eat meat as the English man did and he had to avoid other women in London while he was already married. His strength was that he became popular with his people and had more followers so it made it difficult for the British army to fight back. His weakness became his ideology as he tried to stop the Hindu-Muslim conflict in Bengal, the policy led to his assassination in New Delhi by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu fanatic who believed that Gandhi was pro-Muslim and pro-Pakistan. When Gandhi was coming to a religious meeting in New Delhi on January 30th 1948 he was assassinated by Godse who shot him three times straight in the chest. Gandhi was imprisoned for many years on many occasion in India and in South Africa. He also tried hard to end untouchability. He would live with the untouchables to show Brahman (highest caste) Indians that the untouchables were the same as them.

One thing I learned about Gandhi that disappointed me is that he stole money from people during his youth. Gandhi had also protested by starving himself to make the British look bad which had surprised me. If I could meet Gandhi in person I would ask him how difficult his life was in India, how the British treated all the Hindus and Muslims and how he accomplished these actions at such high risks. I liked the book and enjoyed reading about such a great figure in history. History is one of my favourite subjects as it shows reality of the past. Gandhi was peaceful and did not believe in the caste system. I also believe that all humans of all colour, race and religion are equal. I would want to be Mohandas Gandhi's child because it would be impressive to be related to him. I enjoyed this book because it taught me a lot about Gandhi and how he had protested peacefully. I learned that if you want to make history you need to take big and risky chances. It taught me that humans should not judge by colour, race or religion. There are no caste systems and living a simple life is a good way to live. Also sacrificing for your people and freedom is important and worth risking.I can apply some of his lessons to my life because in my old school I wasn't treated so well because of the food i eat just like when Gandhi was moved to the back cart of a train for the color of his skin. Also I learned that dealing with situations peacefully is better than dealing with them violently. Determination can get you you what you want in life. Other may like to read this book because it explains the life of a great historical figure. Some may not like it if they do not enjoy history and factual books. I am happy that I chose to read about Gandhi because he is famous for his achievements in life. Also I come from the country that got affected by his work and decisions and his struggle lead to the freedom of today's Pakistan (previously India) from the British Rule. After reading this book I look up to him as a role model and hope that one day I can grow up to help my own country and the struggles that it faces today. I hope one day I can peacefully change things in my country too. Gandhi was a great leader, philanthropist and activist. He is described in India as the father of the nation.