Biography of Mahatma Gandhi: Father of the Nation and MCQ Quiz

Mahatma Gandhi: Father of the Nation

Early Life and Childhood

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi, was born on 2nd October 1869 in Porbandar, a small coastal town in present-day Gujarat, India. His father, Karamchand Gandhi, was the Diwan (chief minister) of Porbandar state, while his mother, Putlibai, was a deeply religious woman who followed strict principles of devotion, fasting, and compassion. From his mother, young Mohandas imbibed values of truth, non-violence, tolerance, and simplicity, which later became the guiding principles of his life.

As a child, Gandhi was shy and introverted. He loved truthfulness and was a mediocre student, but he showed great discipline and honesty. A well-known childhood incident reveals his character: when a teacher once tried to prompt him to copy during an exam, Gandhi refused, even at the cost of losing marks. This incident laid the foundation of his lifelong commitment to truth (Satya).

At the age of 13, Gandhi married Kasturba Makhanji, in keeping with the customs of child marriage at that time. Though the early years of marriage were challenging, Kasturba later became a strong companion and supporter in Gandhi’s public life.

Education in England

In 1888, Gandhi traveled to London to study law at the Inner Temple. Initially, he struggled to adjust to Western culture and lifestyle. However, he gradually adapted, focusing on his studies and personal discipline. He joined the London Vegetarian Society, where he deepened his interest in diet, ethics, and religion. He read extensively about Hinduism, Christianity, Buddhism, and Islam, which broadened his spiritual outlook and reinforced his faith in non-violence and truth.

In 1891, Gandhi was called to the Bar and returned to India as a qualified lawyer. However, he struggled to establish a legal career in Bombay. An opportunity soon arrived from South Africa, which became the turning point in his life.

South African Struggle

In 1893, Gandhi went to South Africa on a one-year contract to assist in a legal case. What he witnessed there deeply shocked him. Indians in South Africa faced severe racial discrimination and humiliation. One famous incident changed the course of his life: Gandhi was thrown out of a first-class railway compartment in Pietermaritzburg despite holding a valid ticket, simply because he was Indian.

This experience awakened his sense of justice. Gandhi decided to stay in South Africa and fight against racial discrimination. He established the Natal Indian Congress in 1894 to organize the Indian community. He also developed his method of Satyagraha (truth-force), a form of non-violent resistance to injustice.

Over 21 years in South Africa, Gandhi led several campaigns against unjust laws, such as the Asiatic Registration Act, which required Indians to carry identity passes. Through peaceful protests, marches, and civil disobedience, Gandhi gained worldwide attention. His philosophy of non-violent resistance inspired many and laid the foundation for his future leadership in India.

Return to India and Rise as a Leader

Gandhi returned to India in 1915, already recognized as a prominent leader. He was welcomed by Gopal Krishna Gokhale, a senior leader who guided him in understanding India’s political situation. Gandhi traveled widely across the country to study the conditions of the masses.

His first major struggle in India was in Champaran, Bihar (1917), where indigo farmers were exploited by British landlords. Gandhi used non-violent protest and succeeded in securing justice for the peasants. This campaign made him a national figure.

He later led the Kheda Satyagraha (1918) in Gujarat, where farmers suffering from famine demanded relief from taxes. Similarly, he supported mill workers during the Ahmedabad textile strike. Through these movements, Gandhi emerged as a mass leader, earning the love and trust of millions.

The Non-Cooperation Movement

The Jallianwala Bagh massacre (1919) deeply shook Gandhi. The brutal killing of innocent Indians by General Dyer convinced him that British rule was based on violence and exploitation. He decided that Indians must resist peacefully but firmly.

In 1920, Gandhi launched the Non-Cooperation Movement, urging Indians to boycott British institutions, schools, courts, and foreign goods. Millions participated, and the movement spread across the country. However, after the Chauri Chaura incident (1922), where a mob turned violent and killed policemen, Gandhi called off the movement. This showed his firm commitment to non-violence, even at the cost of temporary setbacks.

The Salt March and Civil Disobedience Movement

In 1930, Gandhi launched the Civil Disobedience Movement with the historic Salt March. The British had imposed a tax on salt, a basic necessity of life. Gandhi and his followers marched 240 miles from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi to make salt from seawater, defying British law. This act became a powerful symbol of resistance and inspired millions to join the movement.

The Civil Disobedience Movement included boycotts of British goods, refusal to pay taxes, and peaceful protests. Gandhi was arrested several times, but the movement shook the foundations of British rule.

Quit India Movement

During World War II, the British dragged India into the war without consulting Indian leaders. In 1942, Gandhi launched the Quit India Movement, calling for the immediate withdrawal of the British from India. His famous slogan, “Do or Die”, inspired Indians to rise unitedly against colonial rule.

The British responded with mass arrests, including Gandhi and other leaders. Despite harsh repression, the movement created unstoppable momentum for India’s independence.

Philosophy and Principles

Gandhi’s leadership was not just political; it was deeply moral and spiritual. His philosophy was rooted in:

1. Truth (Satya): Gandhi believed truth was God, and one must follow it at all costs.

2. Non-Violence (Ahimsa): For Gandhi, non-violence was not cowardice but the highest form of courage. It meant resisting evil without hatred or harm.

3. Satyagraha: His method of peaceful protest aimed to transform opponents through moral force rather than violence.

4. Simple Living: Gandhi lived a life of simplicity, wearing khadi, eating vegetarian food, and practicing self-reliance.

5. Sarvodaya (Welfare of All): He worked for the upliftment of all, especially the poor, untouchables (whom he called Harijans, children of God), and women.

Social Reforms

Beyond politics, Gandhi worked for major social reforms:

Abolition of untouchability: He campaigned against caste discrimination and promoted equality.

Promotion of Khadi: He encouraged Indians to spin their own cloth to become self-reliant and boycott foreign goods.

Education: He emphasized basic, value-based education and vocational training.

Communal Harmony: Gandhi strove to build unity between Hindus and Muslims, especially during times of communal riots.

Partition and Independence

India finally achieved independence on 15th August 1947, but Gandhi was deeply saddened by the Partition of India into India and Pakistan. The communal violence that followed shook him. Instead of celebrating, Gandhi traveled to riot-torn areas, appealing for peace, unity, and reconciliation.

His efforts to stop violence in Bengal, especially during the Calcutta riots, were remarkable. Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy, even said that Gandhi alone could stop civil war in India.

Assassination

On 30th January 1948, while on his way to a prayer meeting in Delhi, Gandhi was assassinated by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu extremist who opposed his efforts for Hindu-Muslim unity. His last words were reported to be “Hey Ram”.

His death shocked the entire world. Leaders across the globe paid tribute to him. Albert Einstein famously said: “Generations to come will scarce believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth.”

Legacy

Mahatma Gandhi remains one of the most influential leaders in world history. His philosophy of non-violence inspired global figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, and Dalai Lama.

In India, he is remembered as the Father of the Nation, and his birthday, 2nd October, is celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti and also as the International Day of Non-Violence. His ideas of truth, simplicity, and non-violence continue to inspire movements for justice, peace, and freedom worldwide.

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Conclusion

Mahatma Gandhi’s life was a unique experiment in truth and non-violence. From a shy boy in Porbandar to the leader who shook the mightiest empire without weapons, his journey remains an extraordinary saga of courage, sacrifice, and faith in humanity. He not only led India to independence but also gave the world a powerful weapon of non-violence to combat injustice. Even decades after his death, Gandhi’s message is timeless: “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”

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📝 One-Liner Quiz on Mahatma Gandhi (With Answers)

1. When and where was Mahatma Gandhi born?

👉 2nd October 1869, Porbandar (Gujarat).

2. What were the names of Gandhi’s parents?

👉 Karamchand Gandhi and Putlibai.

3. At what age did Gandhi marry Kasturba?

👉 13 years old.

4. In which year did Gandhi go to London to study law?

👉 1888.

5. Which society in London did Gandhi join related to his food habits?

👉 The London Vegetarian Society.

6. Where was Gandhi thrown out of a train despite having a valid ticket?

👉 Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.

7. What was the name of the organization Gandhi founded in South Africa?

👉 Natal Indian Congress.

8. Which method of protest did Gandhi develop in South Africa?

👉 Satyagraha (truth-force).

9. In which year did Gandhi return to India from South Africa?

👉 1915.

10. Which senior leader welcomed Gandhi when he returned to India?

👉 Gopal Krishna Gokhale.

11. Where did Gandhi lead his first major struggle in India?

👉 Champaran, Bihar (1917).

12. Which movement did Gandhi launch after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre?

👉 Non-Cooperation Movement (1920).

13. Why did Gandhi call off the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1922?

👉 Because of the Chauri Chaura incident (violence).

14. In which year did Gandhi launch the Salt March?

👉 1930.

15. How many miles did Gandhi walk during the Dandi March?

👉 240 miles.

16. What was Gandhi’s slogan during the Quit India Movement?

👉 “Do or Die”.

17. What does “Ahimsa” mean in Gandhi’s philosophy?

👉 Non-violence.

18. What did Gandhi call untouchables?

👉 Harijans (Children of God).

19. Which cloth did Gandhi promote for self-reliance?

👉 Khadi.

20. When did India achieve independence?

👉 15th August 1947.

21. What event deeply saddened Gandhi during independence?

👉 Partition of India and communal violence.

22. Who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi?

👉 Nathuram Godse.

23. What were Gandhi’s reported last words?

👉 “Hey Ram”.

24. Which famous scientist said, “Generations to come will scarce believe...” about Gandhi?

👉 Albert Einstein.

25. On which day is Gandhi Jayanti celebrated, also marked as International Day of Non-Violence?

👉 2nd October.

26. What was Gandhi’s full name?

👉 Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.

27. What does the word “Mahatma” mean?

👉 Great Soul.

28. Who gave Gandhi the title “Mahatma”?

👉 Rabindranath Tagore.

29. What is Gandhi popularly called in India?

👉 Father of the Nation (Bapu).

30. What profession did Gandhi train for?

👉 Lawyer (Barrister).

31. Which book influenced Gandhi deeply during his stay in England?

👉 Bhagavad Gita.

32. What was Gandhi’s profession when he went to South Africa?

👉 Legal Advisor / Lawyer.

33. How many years did Gandhi spend in South Africa?

👉 21 years.

34. What did Gandhi establish in South Africa as his residence and community center?

👉 Phoenix Settlement (1904).

35. Which newspaper did Gandhi start in South Africa?

👉 Indian Opinion.

36. Which act in South Africa did Gandhi protest against in 1906?

👉 Asiatic Registration Act.

37. Where was Gandhi’s first Satyagraha in South Africa held?

👉 Johannesburg.

38. What year did Gandhi return permanently to India?

👉 1915.

39. Which ashram did Gandhi establish in Ahmedabad in 1917?

👉 Sabarmati Ashram.

40. What was Gandhi’s first experiment with Satyagraha in India?

👉 Champaran Indigo Movement (1917).

41. What was the main issue in Champaran Satyagraha?

👉 Exploitation of indigo farmers by British planters.

42. Which satyagraha did Gandhi lead in Gujarat in 1918?

👉 Kheda Satyagraha.

43. Which strike did Gandhi support in Ahmedabad in 1918?

👉 Textile mill workers’ strike.

44. Which massacre in 1919 shook Gandhi deeply?

👉 Jallianwala Bagh Massacre.

45. Which movement did Gandhi launch in 1919 against the Rowlatt Act?

👉 Rowlatt Satyagraha.

46. What was the Rowlatt Act also called?

👉 Black Act.

47. When did Gandhi launch the Non-Cooperation Movement?

👉 1920.

48. Which incident caused Gandhi to suspend the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1922?

👉 Chauri Chaura violence.

49. Which political party did Gandhi become the leader of?

👉 Indian National Congress.

50. In which year did Gandhi launch the Civil Disobedience Movement?

👉 1930.

51. Where did Gandhi begin his Salt March?

👉 Sabarmati Ashram.

52. Where did the Salt March end?

👉 Dandi (on the Gujarat coast).

53. How long did the Salt March take?

👉 24 days.

54. Which pact did Gandhi sign with Lord Irwin in 1931?

👉 Gandhi-Irwin Pact.

55. Which Round Table Conference did Gandhi attend in London?

👉 Second Round Table Conference (1931).

56. Where did Gandhi establish the Sevagram Ashram?

👉 Wardha, Maharashtra.

57. When did Gandhi start the Quit India Movement?

👉 1942.

58. What was Gandhi’s famous call during Quit India Movement?

👉 “Do or Die”.

59. Where was Gandhi imprisoned during Quit India Movement?

👉 Aga Khan Palace, Pune.

60. Who died in prison with Gandhi in 1942?

👉 Kasturba Gandhi.

61. Who was Gandhi’s secretary and close associate?

👉 Mahadev Desai.

62. Who was Gandhi’s eldest son?

👉 Harilal Gandhi.

63. How many children did Gandhi have?

👉 Four sons.

64. What was Gandhi’s main daily attire?

👉 Simple dhoti made of khadi.

65. Which movement promoted khadi and village industries?

👉 Swadeshi Movement.

66. Which weapon did Gandhi call the ‘weapon of the weak’?

👉 Non-violence (Ahimsa).

67. What did Gandhi call his experiments with life?

👉 Experiments with Truth.

68. What is the title of Gandhi’s autobiography?

👉 The Story of My Experiments with Truth.

69. In which language did Gandhi originally write his autobiography?

👉 Gujarati.

70. Who translated Gandhi’s autobiography into English?

👉 Mahadev Desai.

71. What did Gandhi describe as his spiritual dictionary?

👉 Bhagavad Gita.

72. Which Russian writer influenced Gandhi’s ideas of non-violence?

👉 Leo Tolstoy.

73. Which American thinker influenced Gandhi?

👉 Henry David Thoreau.

74. Which British Christian writer influenced Gandhi?

👉 John Ruskin (author of Unto This Last).

75. What did Gandhi call untouchability?

👉 A curse on society.

76. What name did Gandhi give to untouchables?

👉 Harijans (Children of God).

77. Which journal did Gandhi start in India in 1919?

👉 Young India.

78. Which weekly paper did Gandhi start in 1933?

👉 Harijan.

79. Which fast did Gandhi undertake in 1932 against separate electorates for Dalits?

👉 Poona Pact Fast.

80. Who signed the Poona Pact with Gandhi?

👉 Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

81. Which political party’s activities did Gandhi oppose in his later years?

👉 Muslim League’s demand for partition.

82. What was Gandhi’s dream for India after independence?

👉 Ram Rajya (kingdom of truth, justice, equality).

83. What kind of education system did Gandhi propose?

👉 Basic education (Nai Talim).

84. What was Gandhi’s favorite devotional hymn?

👉 “Vaishnav Jan To Tene Kahiye”.

85. Which spinning tool became a symbol of Gandhi’s self-reliance?

👉 Charkha (spinning wheel).

86. Which currency note of India carried Gandhi’s picture for the first time?

👉 ₹500 note (1987 series).

87. Who called Gandhi ‘the half-naked fakir’?

👉 Winston Churchill.

88. Which British Viceroy signed the Gandhi-Irwin Pact?

👉 Lord Irwin.

89. Who was the last Viceroy of India Gandhi worked with?

👉 Lord Mountbatten.

90. What was Gandhi doing when he was assassinated?

👉 Walking to a prayer meeting.

91. Where was Gandhi assassinated?

👉 Birla House (now Gandhi Smriti), New Delhi.

92. On what date was Gandhi assassinated?

👉 30th January 1948.

93. Who was with Gandhi at the time of his assassination?

👉 Manu and Abha (his grandnieces).

94. Who described Gandhi as ‘a one-man army’?

👉 Subhas Chandra Bose.

95. Which South African leader was inspired by Gandhi?

👉 Nelson Mandela.

96. Which American leader was inspired by Gandhi?

👉 Martin Luther King Jr.

97. Which Tibetan leader admired Gandhi’s philosophy?

👉 The Dalai Lama.

98. Which UN day is celebrated on Gandhi’s birthday?

👉 International Day of Non-Violence (2nd October).

99. What year did the UN declare Gandhi’s birthday as International Day of Non-Violence?

👉 2007.

100. What is Gandhi’s timeless message to the world?

👉 “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”

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