Mohandas Gandhi (HM6)

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (* October 2nd, 1869 in Porbandar, Gujarat), called "Mahatma" (great Soul) by his followers - this honorary title probably was coined by Rabindranath Tagore -, is a world-famous Indian Activist and peaceful Revolutionary.
A early as the turn of the 20th century, Gandhi was engaged in South Africa for the cause of equal rights for the Indians, where he developed Methods of non-violent political struggle. After his return to India in 1915, he supported the 's resistance against the British Raj and became the most famous fighter for a free India during the 1920s. He was one of the first to use Hunger strikes as a political Weapon. Gandhi turned against colonial exploitation and demanded human rights for the so-called Untouchables too, but without demanding to eradicate the Indian caste system altogether. He wished for India to become a secular State, in which Hindus and Muslims should live together peacefully. He favored labor-based Autarchy and an economic system based on small farms.
1888-91, he studied Laws in . Via the Vegetarian movement there, he came in contact with the Theosophers, who encouraged him to study Hinduist and buddhist Texts. 1893-1914, he stayed in , where he stood up for the Rights of the Indians, for which he once was beaten up by Whites. After having returned to , he worked for its independence and the Rights of the poor and casteless - whom he calls "Harijan", children of God -, for which he has to cooperate with such different Men as (his secretary since 1917), , and .
His Actions like the Salt March, working on the Spinning wheel, the Boycott of foreign-made (especially British) Goods, and especially his Hunger strikes - more than once, he announced to "Fast until death" - created a lot of attention for his causes. During 1922-24, he went to prison for his cause; he used the time to study many Classics of World literature. He's especially influenced by Tolstoy, Socrates, and Henry Thoreau.
Gandhi was betrothed at the early age of seven with same-aged Kasturba Makthaji and married to he at 13 by his Family. Their children are Harilal (* 1888), Manilal (* 1956), Ramdas (* 1897), and Devdas (* 1900).
 is a sharp critic of him, once called him a "naked Fakir". Since the Beginning of however, there's peace between them, whether they like it that much or not.
Category:India (HM6)
Category:South Africa (HM6)
Category:Mahatma Gandhi
de:Mohandas Gandhi (W6)