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Text copyright © DC Books 2012
Illustrations copyright © DC Books 2012
First Published in September 2012
Second edition April 2013
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387, 1st Coss, 4 th Block, 80 ft Peripheral Road,
Koramangala, Bangalore 560 034, Karnataka, India
DC Kizhakkemuri Edam, Good Shepherd Street,
Kottayam 686 001, Kerala, India
ISBN 978-81-264-5789-2
MANGO M0130/MO151
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Mohandas
Karamchand Gandhi
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His education in England and work
experience in South Africa cause
him to question the values and
beliefs of his country. Will he
be able to reform his people
and lead them to freedom?
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Kasturbai Gandhi
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Married to Mohandas at a
young age, she becomes his
companion and student. Will
her independence come in
the way of a happy life?
Putlibai
Mohandas Gandhi’s mother,
her saintliness and patience
set an example to her children.
Will Mohandas be able to keep
his vows to her?
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Karamchand Gandhi
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Mohandas Gandhi’s father,
his calm acceptance of the
pain of his illness impresses
his son. Will Mohandas be
able to fulfil the expectations
of his father?
Gopal Krishna
Gokhale
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A member of the Indian
National Congress, Gokhale
dreams of independence for
India. Will his dreams be
fulfilled?
Abdulla Sheth
A businessman in Durban,
he has learnt to accept the
discrimination against
Indians. Will his support
of Gandhi help the Indian
community?
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The Gandhi family belongs to the Bania* caste
whose men folk had always held important
government posts. My grandfather had been
the Prime Minister of Kathiawad, in Gujarat
while my father, Karamchand Gandhi, was the
Prime Minister of Rajkot. He was an honest and
fearless man while my mother, Putlibai, was
a saintly soul. She was my father’s fourth and
last wife, and had a daughter and three sons. I
was their youngest son, born in Porbandar on
October 2, 1869.
When I was seven we moved to Rajkot where
I continued my schooling. I was a good student
but shy, running home after school to avoid
talking to my classmates.
One day there was great excitement. Mr.
Giles, the Education Minister, was inspecting
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My brother received me at Bombay with
the sad news that our mother had passed
away while I was in England. I underwent a
cleansing dip in the river at Nasik, but many
members of my community still considered
me an outcaste. My calm acceptance of their
decision won them over and many of them
helped me later.
I moved to Bombay, hoping to learn
something from observing cases in the
High Court. But I usually dozed off in the
courtroom and so learnt nothing at all! When
I had the opportunity to fight a case, my fear
of speaking in public was so great that I had
to refuse the case. Finally, I went back to
Rajkot and earned a living writing petitions.
When I was offered a job in South Africa at
one-hundred-and-five pounds a year to assist
in a legal case, I agreed immediately, eager to
see a new country. I bid goodbye to my family
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On the ship to Durban I had reason to be proud
of my family, since they were all dressed in the
Parsi style. I believed then that only European
clothes helped us look civilised. This fascination
for stylish clothes and lifestyle only lasted for a
short time.
When we reached the port of Durban after
eighteen days at sea, we were in for a shock. Our
ship was not allowed to dock. ‘Why are we not
allowed to get off the ship?’ Kasturbai asked me.
‘The Europeans have accused me of criticising
them,’ I explained. ‘And of bringing a ship load
of Indians to settle down in Natal!’
‘But you are innocent, are you not?’ my wife
asked. Yes, I was innocent. But would I be
believed?
When the ship was finally allowed to dock,
my family was taken away to safety and I was
asked to enter the city at night. Despite these
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When the deputation eventually met Mr.
Chamberlain we were given a negative
response. Mr. Chamberlain was not willing to
speak up in favour of the Indians since this
would annoy the whites. I realised that I could
not think of returning to India so easily this
time.
During this time the Bhagavad Gita became
my guide. I decided to stop sending money to
my family and use it instead to help the needy.
My brother, who had spent a lot of money and
effort on my education, was upset with this
decision. My diet too changed, and I not only
gave up milk but also lived on a diet of fruits
and nuts.
The recent war had made it necessary for
people to get permits to go to Transvaal. The
officers in charge of permits were corrupt
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When I landed in Bombay after ten years away
from home, I was warmly welcomed. In Pune I
met Gokhale. He was not in good health and yet
insisted on arranging a party for me.
On the way to Rajkot, I came to know about
the trouble caused by a customs cordon at
Viramgam. Lord Willingdon, the Governor,
had assured me of help whenever I needed it.
I now wrote to him, seeking help in removing
the cordon. His office suggested getting in
touch with Delhi. Nothing happened till I met
Lord Chelmsford and he took the necessary
action. The removal of the customs cordon at
Viramgam was my first Satyagraha in India.
The news of Gokhale’s death came as a blow to
me. ‘Will there ever be Satyagraha in India?’ I
was asked.
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