Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa

Upon the culmination of his legal education, Mahatma Gandhi embarked on a tumultuous

journey in search of professional opportunities as a lawyer. The year was 1893 when he

received an offer that would significantly alter the trajectory of his life. This proposition came

from Dada Abdullah, a prominent figure in the shipping business, who sought Gandhi's legal

counsel to assist his cousin in South Africa. Accepting this invitation, Gandhi set sail for South

Africa, unknowingly embarking on a transformative odyssey that would shape his future

political career.

During his sojourn in South Africa, Gandhi was subjected to a harrowing ordeal, facing not

only the challenges of practicing law but also enduring the relentless, dehumanizing

humiliations inflicted upon him as a result of deeply ingrained racial discrimination. It was in

this crucible of adversity that Gandhi's convictions were forged, and his determination to

fight against racial injustice kindled the fires of his burgeoning political activism. His

experiences in South Africa laid the foundation for the indomitable spirit that would guide

him in his quest for social justice and ultimately lead him to become one of the world's most

revered leaders in the fight for civil rights and equality.

Incident happened during rail journey-

Gandhi was seated in the first-class compartment, as he had purchased a first-class ticket. A

White person who entered the compartment hastened to summon the White railway officials,

who ordered Gandhi to remove himself to the van compartment since 'coolies' (a racist term

for Indians) and non-whites were not permitted in first-class compartments. Gandhi

protested and produced his ticket, but was warned that he would be forcibly removed if he

did not make a gracious exit. As Gandhi refused to comply with the order, a White police

officer pushed him out of the train, and his luggage was tossed out onto the platform.

The sting of humiliation transformed Mahatma Gandhi into a passionate activist, dedicated to

defending his rights and those of others.

As an activist, he crafted a remarkable strategy known as "Satyagraha, " which translates to

"truth-force." This ingenious approach involved peaceful marches and a profound willingness

to willingly face arrest as a protest against unjust laws.

The impact of this tool reverberated across oceans and borders. It inspired the civil rights

movement in the United States and cast a guiding light on the early struggles of the African

National Congress as they confronted the oppressive shadow of apartheid in South Africa.

Gandhi's legacy is more than a story of resistance; it's a testament to the enduring power of

truth and nonviolence. His life's work reminds us that even in the face of grave injustices, the

force of principled conviction can prevail, leaving an indelible mark on the history of human

rights and social change.

10 things Mahatma Gandhi did in South Africa

1. He organised non-violent protests against the racial discrimination directed towards the

native Africans and Indians in 1894.

2. He came to India for a short time in 1896 to gather fellow Indians to serve in South Africa.

He gathered 800 Indians but they were welcomed by an irate mob and Gandhi was injured in

the attack.

3. He organised the Indian Ambulance Corps for the British during the outbreak of the Boer

War in 1899, so that the British could understand humanity but the ethnic discrimination and

torture continued on Indians.

4. He set up Phoenix Farm near Durban where Gandhi trained his cadre for peaceful restraint

or non-violent Satyagraha. This farm is considered the birthplace of Satyagraha.

5. He also set up another farm which was called Tolstoy Farm which is considered as the place

where Satyagraha was moulded into a weapon of protest.

6. The first non-violent Satyagraha campaign of Mahatma Gandhi was organised in September

1906 to protest against the Transvaal Asiatic ordinance which was constituted against the

local Indians. After that, he also held Satyagraha against the Black Act in June 1907.

7. He was sentenced to jail for organising the non-violent movement in 1908 but after

meeting with General Smuts, who was a British Commonwealth statesman, he was released.

8. He was sentenced to a three-month jail in Volkshurst and Pretoria in 1909. After his release,

he went to London to seek the assistance of the Indian community there but his effort was in

vain.

9. In 1913, he fought against the override of non-Christian marriages.

10. He organised another Satyagraha movement in Transvaal against the oppression that

Indian minors were suffering from. He led around 2,000 Indians across the Transvaal border.

Mahatma Gandhi in India

After his long stay in South Africa, Mahatma Gandhi gained huge respect as a nationalist,

theorist, and organiser in India. He was invited by Gopal Krishna Gokhale who was a senior

leader of the Indian National Congress to join the Indian National Movement against tyrant

British Rule.

Mahatma Gandhi returned to India and Gokhale thoroughly guided him about the prevailing

political situation in India and also the social issues of the time.

AFRICA(reason of return)

For two decades, Mahatma Gandhi, the ardent champion of non-European rights, remained steadfast

in his struggle in South Africa. His relentless fight against racial discrimination made him a globally

revered figure. In 1915, at the age of 46, Gandhi, now a celebrated international symbol of resistance,

finally returned to his homeland, India.

His homecoming was a monumental event, marked by a grand and heartfelt welcome at the Apollo

port (Wellington Pier) in Mumbai. Guided by the counsel of Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Gandhi

embarked on a tour across India, seeking to understand the complexities of his motherland.

A year later, on the 25th of May in 1915, he founded the "Satyagraha" ashram in Kocharab, marking

the inception of a new phase in his activism. It was here that the foundations of his ideals were

fortified, preparing him for the tumultuous journey that lay ahead. Two years down the line, Gandhi

made a significant move to the Sabarmati Ashram, perched along the serene banks of the river

Sabarmati. This symbolic relocation served as a powerful manifestation of his commitment to the

principles of nonviolence and truth. Gandhi's return to India was not merely a homecoming but the

commencement of a new chapter in the country's struggle for freedom.

ARIVAL IN INDIA

On the 9th of January in 1915, as Mahatma Gandhi's ship docked at the Apollo Bunder in Bombay, a

hero's welcome awaited the returning champion of civil rights. Three days later, the people of Bombay

gathered to honor him with a magnificent reception, hosted in the palatial residence of the Bombay

magnate, Jehangir Petit. This was no ordinary return; it was a momentous occasion for the entire

nation.

The Government of India, in unison with the people, bestowed honors upon Gandhi. In the King's

birthday honours list of 1915, he received the prestigious "Kaiser-I-Hind" gold medal. Gandhi's

association with Gokhale, a prominent political figure of the time, served as a guarantee of his

integrity and commitment to the cause. While it was true that he had led an unconventional, extra-

constitutional movement in South Africa, defying laws and enduring imprisonment, the purpose for

which he had fought was more humanitarian than purely political. It resonated with the hearts of both

Indians and those Englishmen whose sense of humanity had not been dulled by racial prejudices or

political expediency.

Gandhi, however, was in no hurry to dive headlong into politics. His political mentor on the Indian

stage was Gokhale, and their partnership was marked by a significant moment. Gokhale extracted a

promise from Gandhi that he would refrain from expressing his opinions on public matters for a year,

a "year of probation" as it were. Yet, this was not a stagnant period. Instead, it was a time of reflection

and learning.

Gokhale's vision for Gandhi included joining the Servants of India Society in Poona. Eager to comply

with Gokhale's wishes, Gandhi embraced the idea, but not without some deliberation. Some members

of the Society had reservations, sensing a potential disconnect between their ideals and Gandhi's

methods. While the debate over his admission as a 'Servant of India' unfolded, Gandhi embarked on

a journey back to his roots. He revisited his hometowns of Porbandar and Rajkot, and his travels led

him to Shantiniketan in West Bengal, the cosmopolitan university founded by the poet Rabindranath

Tagore. This period of introspection and exploration would set the stage for the next chapter in

Gandhi's remarkable journey.

As Mahatma Gandhi's journey took him to Shantiniketan, his quest for personal growth was suddenly

interrupted by a terse telegram from Poona, bearing the somber news that Gopal Krishna Gokhale

had passed away. The weight of this loss bore down heavily on Gandhi, leaving him stunned and

disheartened.

In mourning, Gandhi made a deeply symbolic gesture: he embarked on a year-long journey walking

barefoot, a profound act of homage to his beloved mentor, Gokhale. The barefoot sojourn became a

poignant symbol of his reverence and respect for the memory of the man who had played such a

pivotal role in shaping his life.

Yet, Gandhi's commitment to joining the Servants of India Society, as per Gokhale's wishes, endured.

He sought to honor his mentor's legacy by attempting once more to gain admission to the Society.

However, the path to his aspiration was fraught with challenges. Within the Society, there existed a

significant division of opinion regarding his suitability. Confronted with this uncertainty, Gandhi made

the difficult decision to withdraw his application for admission, understanding that the journey ahead

would be marked by its own unique trials and tribulations. This moment marked a critical juncture in

his life, as he navigated the delicate balance between honoring his mentor's legacy and forging his

own path as a leader and activist.