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Social Thinkers: Mahatma

for B.A (Part III) Sub: Sociology

Dr Amit Rahul Department of Sociology Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi: Birth & Early Life Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi affectionately called as “Mahatma” and “Father of the Nation” was born on 2 October 1869 in Porbandar Gujarat.

His father, Karamchand Gandhi , was the Diwan (Prime Minister) of Porbandar State. His Mother’s name was Putlibai

In May 1883, the 13 year old Mohandas was married to 14 year old Kasturbai Makhanji.

His father died in 1888. He went to England to study law. His mother died while he was in London. Gandhi went to south Africa in 1893 to file a case and was ill-treated by the British. He fought the British for the South Africans. Birth & Early Life ((Contd. ))

Gandhi returned to India in 1915 and gradually got involved with the Indian Freedom Struggle.

Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated on 30 January 1948 by Nathuram Godse in the compound of Birla House (now ), a large mansion in New Delhi.

Mahatma Gandhi’s views found expression in his writings & Speeches: ° The , The Young India ° The Story of My Experiments with Truth • Hind

In this course, we will try to know about his views on the following: Ramarajya, , and

Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad, Gujarat

Ramarajya VGandhi viewed religion as different roads converging upon the same point. He said, ‘what does it matter that we take different roads so long as we reach the same goal.

VMahatma Gandhi said, "I mean by Ramarajya Divine Raj, the Kingdom of God. I acknowledge no other God but the one God of truth and righteousness."

V For him ‘Ramarajya’ envisages a society in which virtue, morality and justice are the core ideals around which day-to- day interactions between citizen and citizen and state and citizen occur.

VGandhi Ji said that for him true Ramarajya would ensure “equal rights to both prince and pauper”

Sarvodaya V Sarvodaya is a term meaning 'Universal Uplift' or 'Progress of All'. The idea is implied in the word itself; Sarva and Udaya. Sarva means all ́ and Udaya means upli ́. The term was first coined by Mohandas Gandhi.

VGandhiji borrowed the idea for this concept from ’s work "" and used the term for his own political philosophy .

VSarvodaya envisages a new humanistic socialist society where man will be the centre. It visualises a simple, non-violent and decentralised society

V developed Gandhiji’s concept of Sarvodaya and ussed the philosophy in his Bhoodan and Gramdan movements

Ahimsa or Non--ViolenceViolence V Gandhi Ji said, there is no God higher than Truth. For achieving Truth he stressed on Prayers, Dedicated Humanitarian Service and Purity in Personal life, thought & Body.

VFor Mahatma Gandhi Ahimsa and Truth were like two sides of the same coin .

V Mahatma Gandhi took the religious principle of ahimsa (doing no harm) common to Buddhism, and Jainism and turned it into a non-violent tool for mass action.

VHe used the tools of Ahimsa and Satyagraha to fight not only the colonial rule but also social evils such as racial discrimination and untouchability.

Satyagraha V Satyagraha is a particular form of nonviolent resistance or civil resistance. It is the force of truth and love.

VThe term satyagraha was coined and developed by Mahatma Gandhi. He used satyagraha in the Indian independence movement and also during his earlier struggles in South Africa for Indian rights.

VSomeone who practices satyagraha is a satyagrahi The Satyagrahi’s objective is to convince & convert the wrong doer and not through coercion or force.

VGandhiji used satyagraha against the British Occupancy of India. Some examples are the , Non-cooperation movement, , Salt Satyagraha, etc. Salt Satyagraha & Dandi March