Mahatma Gandhi, born Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, came into the world on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, a coastal town in present-day Gujarat, India. He was born into a Hindu Baniya family and belonged to the Modh Baniya community.
Family Background
- Father: Karamchand Gandhi – He was the Diwan (Chief Minister) of Porbandar, a small princely state under British suzerainty.
- Mother: Putlibai – A deeply religious woman, she followed strict Vaishnavism and was influenced by Jainism, which emphasized non-violence and vegetarianism.
- Wife: Kasturba Gandhi – Married at the age of 13 in a traditional child marriage, Kasturba played a crucial role in his later political and social movements.
Education and Early Influences
- Gandhi did his early schooling in Porbandar and Rajkot. He was an average student but displayed a keen sense of morality, honesty, and discipline.
- At the age of 18 (in 1888), he traveled to London to study law at Inner Temple, one of the four Inns of Court. This decision was met with resistance from his caste community, which opposed travel abroad.
Impact of Early Life on His Ideology
- His mother’s religious teachings deeply influenced his commitment to truth (Satya) and non-violence (Ahimsa).
- His experiences of racial discrimination in South Africa (1893–1914), where he worked as a lawyer, shaped his philosophy of Satyagraha (passive resistance).