Remembering the MAHATMA

On October 2, India observes Gandhi Jayanthi, the birth anniversary of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. Known primarily for his non-violent form of protest, the honorific 'Mahatma', first given to him in 1914 in South Africa, is now used worldwide. In remembrance of his invaluable contributions to India's Independence, Culturama looks at some key events in his life.

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October 2, 1869

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi is born in Porbander. His father, Karamchand Gandhi, was the diwan (Prime Minister) of Porbander, a small princely state in present-day Gujarat. His mother, Putlibai, was Karamchand’s fourth wife – the first three wives having died in childbirth.

May 1883

The 13-year old Gandhi is married to 14-year old Kasturbai Makhanji. Recalling their marriage, Gandhi once said, “As we didn't know much about marriage, for us it meant only wearing new clothes, eating sweets and playing with relatives.”

September 4, 1888

Gandhi travels to England to study law at University College, London. Although Gandhi experimented with ‘English’ customs, such as dance lessons, he could not stomach the bland vegetarian food offered by his landlady. (He survived thanks to London’s few vegetarian restaurants.)

Generations to come, it may well be, will scarce believe that such a man as this one ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth.”

– Albert Einstein

April 1893

Gandhi travels to South Africa to work for an Indian firm. There, he faced racial discrimination commonly directed at black South Africans and Indians. He was thrown off a train after refusing to move from the first-class to a third-class coach while holding a valid first-class ticket.

November 6, 1913

Gandhi begins the ‘Great March’ for Indian rights in South Africa. The March consisted of 2,037 men, 127 women and 57 children. Gandhi was arrested – one in a string of several political arrests over the course of his life.