Gandhi

Gandhi


On October 2, 1869, the "little brown saint" was brought into the world;
during this time India was under the British monarchy.   During his early years
he did not show the signs of developing into the great leader that he eventually
became but nevertheless Gandhi aspired to be a lawyer, follow in the footsteps
of his father and become a respected member of the community.   Throughout his
life Gandhi fought against colour prejudice, promoted religious harmony and
toiled laboriously to gain independence for his country.

Gandhi was a great man who brought about many changes all over the world
but especially in India.   His means of bringing about change and the effect he
had on people made him a respected and loved individual.

Gandhi travelled to South Africa for the first time in the summer of
1892, to try his luck at a law firm.   He was not aware of how deeply he would be
involved in South African affairs while he proceeded   on his journey.   Indians
in South Africa suffered many disabilities.   For instance, an Indian "had to
carry a pass if he appeared on the streets after 9 p.m."(Pg. 24).   Gandhi felt
this was completely unfair and by the time he had finished his campaign against
colour prejudice in South Africa, "the three pound tax on farm indentured
labourers was annulled, Hindu, Muslim and Parsi marriages were declared valid;
free Indians and their wives could continue to come into the country from India"
(Pg. 47-48). Gandhi achieved this status for Indians in South Africa by a method
called "Satyagraha" or "passive resistance".   This involved a non-violent means
of refusing to co-operate with the government's wishes, thus forcing the
government to meet the demands of the resistors.   This method of nonco-operation
earned Gandhi a great deal of respect, world-wide acclaim and helped him
considerably reduce legalized racism against Indians in South Africa.

Gandhi was a very patriotic man and believed that people in his country
should become one in... [continues]

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