Emergence of Gandhi

Gandhi’s Rise in Indian Nationalism

The arrival of Mahatma Gandhi in India marked a major turning point in the country’s struggle for independence. He returned from South Africa in 1915 and initially spent time at the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad. During this period, he remained relatively unknown to the general public. To understand India’s political situation, he sought advice from Gopal Krishna Gokhale, who recommended that Gandhi study the country’s socio-political conditions before taking action. However, Gandhi quickly gained recognition due to his leadership in local struggles.

Early Life and Career

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, a princely state in Gujarat. His father was a diwan (minister). Gandhi studied law in England and later traveled to South Africa in 1893 for a legal case. There, he witnessed extreme racial discrimination against Indians and Africans. This experience deeply affected him, and he decided to stay in South Africa to fight for the rights of Indian workers.

For 20 years (1893–1914), Gandhi worked as a lawyer and activist in South Africa. He developed his method of Satyagraha (nonviolent resistance) while protesting discriminatory laws, including the Asiatic Registration Law. His efforts led to his first imprisonment but also established him as a respected leader. He continued his struggle until 1914 before returning to India.

Challenges Faced by Indians in South Africa

Indians in South Africa belonged to three main groups:

1. Indentured laborers – Mostly from South India, working on sugar plantations.
2. Merchants – Businesspeople, mainly Muslim Memons, who followed the laborers.
3. Ex-indentured laborers – Former workers who settled with their families after their contracts ended.

These Indians faced severe discrimination:

• They were not allowed to vote.
• They lived in overcrowded and unhygienic areas.
• They were banned from using public footpaths and had curfews at night.

Gandhi’s Struggles in South Africa

1. Moderate Phase (1894–1906)

Gandhi initially used petitions and letters to appeal to British and South African authorities. He believed that as British subjects, their grievances would be addressed. He also founded the Natal Indian Congress and launched the newspaper Indian Opinion to unite the Indian community.

2. Passive Resistance and Satyagraha (1906–1914)

When negotiations failed, Gandhi introduced Satyagraha, a method of nonviolent resistance. This involved defying unjust laws and accepting punishment without violence.

• Fight against registration certificates (1906): The government required Indians to carry certificates with fingerprints at all times. Gandhi and his followers refused and were arrested.
• Opposition to migration restrictions: Indians violated laws limiting movement between provinces, leading to mass arrests.
• Protest against poll tax and marriage laws: A discriminatory poll tax was imposed on ex-indentured workers, and non-Christian marriages were declared invalid. This insulted Indian women and drew them into the movement.
• Opposition to the Transvaal Immigration Act: The people illegally migrated to Transvaal in protest and they were jailed. Workers in mines and plantations also went on strike.

Gandhi’s efforts gained international attention, and prominent Indian leaders, including Gopal Krishna Gokhale, rallied support in India. Even the British viceroy, Lord Hardinge, criticized the South African government’s harsh actions. Eventually, Gandhi’s negotiations with British and South African officials led to key concessions.

Lessons Gandhi Learned in South Africa

• The common people were capable of great sacrifices when inspired by a just cause.
• Unity among different religious and social groups was possible.
• A true leader must sometimes make unpopular decisions.
• Nonviolent resistance was a powerful tool against injustice.

Satyagraha: Gandhi’s Method of Resistance

Gandhi developed Satyagraha as a unique strategy based on truth and nonviolence. It combined Indian traditions with Christian teachings and the philosophy of Leo Tolstoy. The key principles included:

• Refusal to accept injustice – A Satyagrahi (follower of Satyagraha) must resist wrongdoing with truth and courage.
• Boycott and non-cooperation – Nonviolent resistance included refusing to pay taxes and rejecting honors from the government.
• Willingness to suffer – A true Satyagrahi must be ready to face hardships without retaliation.
• Hatred has no place – Even while resisting oppression, there should be no hatred toward the oppressor.
• No compromise with evil – One should never submit to injustice, regardless of the consequences.
• Strength, not cowardice – Nonviolence required bravery, and cowardice was considered worse than violence.
• Ethical means to achieve goals – The method used must be as pure as the goal itself.

Gandhi’s Return to India and Early Political Involvement

Gandhi returned to India in January 1915. By this time, his activism in South Africa was well known among both intellectuals and the common people. However, he chose to first travel across India to observe the country’s problems firsthand.

He decided not to get involved in political matters for at least a year. While he was aware of the failures of moderate leaders and was critical of the Home Rule Movement, he believed that fighting for self-rule during World War I was not ideal. Instead, he focused on nonviolent Satyagraha as the best path to independence. He also refused to join any political group unless they fully embraced nonviolence.

Gandhi’s First Movements in India (1917–1918)

Before launching a national movement, Gandhi led three significant struggles:

1. Champaran (1917) – He fought for the rights of indigo farmers against British planters.
2. Ahmedabad Mill Strike (1918) – He supported textile workers demanding better wages.
3. Kheda Satyagraha (1918) – He helped peasants in Gujarat fight against unjust tax collection.

These movements marked the beginning of Gandhi’s mass leadership in India and prepared the ground for future campaigns.

Conclusion

Gandhi’s arrival in Indian politics brought a fresh perspective. Unlike earlier leaders, he mobilized the masses, transforming politics into a movement for truth and justice. His unique philosophy of nonviolence and civil disobedience changed the way Indians fought for their freedom and left a lasting impact on the country’s history.