Essay on Mahatma Gandhi – Contributions and Legacy of Mahatma Gandhi

Essay on Mahatma Gandhi – Mahatma Gandhi was a great patriotic Indian, if not the greatest. He was a man of an unbelievably great personality. He certainly does not need anyone like me to praise him. Furthermore, his efforts for Indian independence are unparalleled. Most noteworthy, there would have been a significant delay in autonomy without him. Consequently, the British, because of his pressure,e left India in 1947. In this essay on Mahatma Gandhi, we will see his contribution and legacy.

Contributions of Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi was a notable public figure. His role in social and political reform was instrumental. Hence, many oppressed people felt relief because of his efforts. Gandhi became a famous international figure because of these efforts. Furthermore, he became the topic of discussion in many international media outlets.

Mahatma Gandhi made significant contributions to environmental sustainability. He said that each person should consume according to his needs. He asked, “How much should a person consume?”.

Furthermore, this model of sustainability by Gandhi holds enormous relevance in current India. This is because currently, India has a very high population. There has been the promotion of renewable energy and small-scale irrigation systems. This was due to Gandhiji’s campaigns against excessive industrial development.

Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence is probably his most important contribution. This philosophy of non-violence is known as Ahimsa. Most noteworthy, Gandhiji aimed to seek independence without violence. He decided to quit the Non-cooperation movement after the Chauri-Chaura incident. This was due to the violence at the Chauri Chaura incident. Consequently, many became upset at this decision. However, Gandhi was relentless in his philosophy of Ahimsa.

Secularism is yet another contribution of Gandhi. He believed that no religion should have a monopoly on the truth. Mahatma Gandhi certainly encouraged friendship between different faiths.

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Legacy of Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi influenced many international leaders around the world. His struggle indeed became an inspiration for leaders. Such leaders are Martin Luther King Jr., James Beve, and James Lawson. Furthermore, Gandhi influenced Nelson Mandela in his freedom struggle. Also, Lanza del Vasto came to India to live with Gandhi.

The United Nations has dramatically honored Mahatma Gandhi. In addition, the UN has made the 2nd Octo “the International Day of Nonviolence.” Furthermore, many countries observe the 30th of January as School Day of Nonviolence and Peace.

The awards given to Mahatma Gandhi are too many to discuss. Probably only a few nations remain that have not awarded Mahatma Gandhi.

In conclusion, Mahatma Gandhi was one of the greatest political icons ever. Most noteworthy, Indians revere him by describing him as the “father of the nation.” His name will certainly remain immortal for all generations.

Mahatma Gandhi Essay in 400 words

Mahatma Gandhi is well known as the “Father of the Nation or Bapu” because of his greatest contributions toward the independence of our country. He was the one who believed in the non-violence and unity of the people and brought spirituality into Indian politics. He worked hard the remove untouchability in Indian society, upliftment of the backward classes in India, raised voice to develop villages for social development and inspired Indian people to use swadeshi goods and other social issues. He brought common people in front to participate in the national movement and inspired them to fight for their true freedom.

He was one of the people who converted people’s dream of independence into truth day through his noble ideals and supreme sacrifices. He is still remembered by us for his great works and major virtues such as non-violence, truth, love, and fraternity. He was not born as great but he made himself great through his hard struggles and work. He was highly influenced by the life of King Harischandra in the play titled Raja Harischandra. After his schooling, he completed his law degree in England and began his career as a lawyer. He faced many difficulties in his life but continued walking as a great leader.

He started many mass movements like the Non-cooperation movement in 1920, the civil disobedience movement in 1930, and finally the Quit India Movement in 1942 all throughout the way to independence of India. After lots of struggles and work, the independence of India was granted finally by the British Government. He was a very simple person who worked to remove the color barrier and caste barrier. He also worked hard for removing the untouchability in Indian society and named untouchables “Harijan” which means the people of God.

He was a great social reformer and Indian freedom fighter who died a day after completing his aim life. He inspired Indian people the manual labor and said that arrange all the resources themselves for living a simple life and becoming self-dependent. He started weaving cotton clothes through the use of Charakha in order to avoid the use of video goods and promote the use of Swadeshi goods among Indians. He was a strong supporter of agriculture and motivated people to do agricultural work. He was a spiritual man who brought spirituality to Indian politics. He died in 1948 on the 30th of January and his body was cremated at Raj Ghat, New Delhi. The 30th of January is celebrated every year as Martyr Day in India in order to pay homage to him.

Essay on Non-violence of Mahatma Gandhi in 800 Words -Essay on Mahatma Gandhi

Introduction

Non-violence or ‘ahimsa’ is a practice of not hurting anyone intentionally or unintentionally. It is the practice professed by great saints like Gautam Buddha and Mahaveer. Mahatma Gandhi was one of the pioneer personalities to practice non-violence. He used non-violence as a weapon to fight the armed forces of the British Empire and helped us to get independence without lifting a single weapon.

Role of Non-violence in Indian Freedom Struggle   

The role of non-violence in the Indian freedom struggle became prominent after the involvement of Mahatma Gandhi. There were many violent freedom struggles going on concurrently in the country and the importance of these cannot be neglected either. There were many sacrifices made by our freedom fighters battling against British rule. But non-violence was a protest which was done in a very peaceful manner and was a great way to demand complete independence. Mahatma Gandhi used non-violence in every movement against British rule. The most important non-violence movements of Mahatma Gandhi which helped to shake the foundation of the British government are as follows.

• Champaran and Kheda Agitations

In 1917 the farmers of Champaran were forced by the Britishers to grow indigo and again sell them at very cheap fixed prices. Mahatma Gandhi organized a non-violent protest against this practice and Britishers were forced to accept the demand of the farmers.

Kheda village was hit by floods in 1918 and creating a major famine in the region. The Britishers were not ready to provide any concessions or relief in the taxes. Gandhiji organized a non-cooperation movement and led peaceful protests against the British administration for many months. Ultimately the administration was forced to provide relief in taxes and temporarily suspended the collection of revenue.

• Non-cooperation Movement

The Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the harsh British policies lead to the Non-cooperation movement in 1920. It was a non-violence protest against British rule. Gandhiji believed that the main reason the Britishers flourished in India is the support they are getting from Indians. He pleaded to boycott the use of British products and promoted the use of ‘Swadeshi’ products. Indians denied working for the Britishers and withdrew themselves from the British schools, civil services, government jobs, etc. People started resigning from prominent posts which highly affected the British administration. The Non-Cooperation movement shook the foundation of British rule and all these without a single use of any weapon. The power of non-violence was more evident in the non-cooperation movement.

• Salt Satyagrah or Salt March

Salt March or the ‘Namak Satyagraha was the non-violence movement led by Mahatma Gandhi against the salt monopoly of the Britishers. Britishers imposed heavy taxation on the salt produce which affected the local salt production. Gandhiji started the 26 days with a non-violence march to Dandi village, Gujarat protesting against the salt monopoly of the British government. The Dandi march was started on 12^th March 1930 from Sabarmati Ashram and ended on 06^th April 1930 at Dandi, breaking the salt laws of the British government and starting the local production of salt. The Salt March was a non-violent movement that got international attention and which helped to concrete the foundation of Independent India.

• Quit India Movement

After the successful movement of the Salt March, the foundation of the British government shook completely. The quit India Movement was launched by Mahatma Gandhi on 8^th August 1942 which demanded the Britishers quit India. It was the time of World War II when Britain was already at war with Germany and the Quit India Movement acted as fuel to the fire. There was a mass non-violent civil disobedience launched across the country and Indians also demanded their separation from World War II.  The effect of the Quit India Movement was so intense that the British government agreed to provide complete independence to India once the war gets over. The Quit India Movement was the final nail in the coffin of British rule in India.

These movements led by Mahatma Gandhi were completely Non-violent and did not use any weapon. The power of truth and non-violence were the weapons used to fight British rule. The effect of non-violence was so intense that it gained the immediate attention of the international community towards the Indian independence struggle. It helped to reveal the harsh policies and acts of British rule to the international audience.

Conclusion

Mahatma Gandhi always believed that weapons are not the only answer to any problem; in fact, they created more problems than they solved. It is a tool that spreads hatred, fear, and anger. Non-violence is one of the best methods by which we can fight many powerful enemies, without holding a single weapon. Apart from the independence struggle; there are many incidents of modern times that exhibited the importance of non-violence and how it helped in bringing changes in society and all that without spilling a single drop of blood. Hope the day is not very far when there will be no violence and every conflict and dispute will be solved through peaceful dialogues without harming anyone and shedding blood and this would be the greatest tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.

Long Essay on Mahatma Gandhi – Essay 8 (1100 Words)

Introduction

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi aka ‘Mahatma Gandhi’ was one of the great sons of Indian soil who rose to become a great soul and gave major contributions to the great Indian freedom struggle against the British rule in India. He was a man of ideologies and a man with great patience and courage. His non-violence movements involved peaceful protests and non-cooperation with British rule. These movements had a long-term effect on the Britishers and they also helped India to grab the eyeballs of global leaders and attracted their attention on international platforms.

Family and Life of Mahatma Gandhi

• Birth and Childhood

Mahatma Gandhi was born as Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi on 02nd October 1869 at Porbandar (which is in the current state of Gujarat). His father Karamchand Gandhi was working as the Chief Minister (diwan) of Porbandar at that time. His mother Putlibai was a very devotional and generous lady. Young Gandhi was a reflection of his mother and inherited high values, ethics, and the feeling of sacrifice from her.

• Marriage and Education

Mohandas was married to Kasturba Makanji at the very young age of 13. In 1888, they were blessed with a baby boy and after which he sailed to London for higher studies. In 1893, he went to South Africa to continue his practice of law where he faced strong racial discrimination by the Britishers. The major incident which completely changed the young Gandhi was when he was forcibly removed from the first-class compartment of a train due to his race and color.

• Civil Rights Movement in Africa

After the discrimination and embracement faced by Gandhi due to his race and color, he vowed to fight and challenge the racial discrimination against immigrants in South Africa. He formed Natal Indian Congress in 1894 and started fighting against racial discrimination. He fought for the civil rights of the immigrants in South Africa and spent around 21 years there.

• Mahatma Gandhi in the Indian Freedom Struggle

Gandhi returned to India in 1915 and joined Indian National Congress and started to raise their voice against the British rule in India and demanded complete independence or ‘Purn Swaraj’ for India. He started many non-violent movements and protests against Britishers and was also imprisoned various times in his long quest for freedom. His campaigns were completely non-violent without the involvement of any force or weapons. His ideology of ‘ahimsa’ meaning not to injure anyone was highly appreciated and was also followed by many great personalities around the globe.

Why was Gandhi called Mahatma?

‘Mahatma’ is a Sanskrit word that means ‘great soul’. It is said that it was Rabindranath Tagore who first used ‘Mahatma’ for Gandhi. It was because of the great thoughts and ideologies of Gandhi which made people honour him by calling him ‘Mahatma Gandhi’. The great feeling of sacrifice, love, and help he showed throughout his life was a matter of great respect for each citizen of India.

Mahatma Gandhi showed lifelong compassion towards the people affected with leprosy. He used to nurse the wounds of people with leprosy and take proper care of them. In the times when people used to ignore and discriminate against people with leprosy, the humanitarian compassion of Gandhi towards them made him a person with great feelings and a person with great soul justifying himself as Mahatma.

Mahatma Gandhi’s contribution to various social issues could never be ignored. His campaign against untouchability during his imprisonment in the Yerwada Jail where he went on fast against the age-old evil of untouchability in society had highly helped the upliftment of the community in the modern era. Apart from this, he also advocated the importance of education, cleanliness, health, and equality in society. All these qualities made him a man with a great soul and justify his journey from Gandhi to Mahatma.

What are Gandhi’s accomplishments?

Mahatma Gandhi was a man with a mission who not only fought for the country’s independence but also gave his valuable contribution to uprooting various evils of society. The accomplishments of Mahatma Gandhi are summarized below:

• Fought against Racial Discrimination in South Africa

The racial discrimination in South Africa shocked Mahatma Gandhi and he vowed to fight against it. He challenged the law which denied the voting rights of the people not belonging to the European region. He continued to fight for the civil rights of the immigrants in South Africa and became a prominent face of civil rights activism.

• The face of the Indian Freedom Struggle

Mahatma Gandhi was the liberal face of the independence struggle. He challenged British rule in India through his peaceful and non-violent protests. The Champaran Satyagrah, Civil Disobedience Movement, Salt March, Quit India Movement, etc are just a few non-violent movements led by him that shook the foundation of the Britishers in India and grabbed the attention of the global audience to the Indian freedom struggle.

• Uprooting the Evils of Society

Gandhi Ji also worked on uprooting various social evils in the society which prevailed at that time. He launched many campaigns to provide equal rights to the untouchables and improve their status in society. He also worked on women’s empowerment, and education and opposed child marriage which had a long-term effect on Indian society.

What was Gandhi famous for?

Mahatma Gandhi was one of the great personalities of India. He was a man with simplicity and great ideologies. His non-violent way to fight a much more powerful enemy without the use of a weapon or shedding a single drop of blood surprised the whole world. His patience, courage, and disciplined life made him popular and attracted people from every corner of the world.

He was the man who majorly contributed to the independence of India from British rule. He devoted his whole life to the country and its people. He was the face of the Indian leadership on an international platform. He was a man with ethics, values, and discipline which inspires the young generation around the globe even in the modern era.

Gandhi Ji was also famous for his strict discipline. He always professed the importance of self-discipline in life. He believed that it helps to achieve bigger goals and that the graces of ahimsa could only be achieved through hard discipline.

These qualities of the great leader made him famous not only in India but also across the world and inspired global personalities like Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King.

Conclusion

Mahatma Gandhi helped India to fulfill her dream of achieving ‘Purna Swaraj’ or complete independence and gave the country global recognition. Though he left this world on 30th January 1948, his ideologies and thoughts still prevail in the minds of his followers and act as a guiding light to lead their lives. He proved that everything is possible in the world if you have a strong will, courage, and determination.

FAQs on Mahatma Gandhi

Q.1 Why did Mahatma Gandhi decide to stop the Non-cooperation movement?

A.1 Mahatma Gandhi decided to stop the Non-cooperation movement. This was due to the infamous Chauri-Chaura incident. There was significant violence during this incident. Furthermore, Gandhiji was strictly against any kind of violence.

Q.2 Name any two leaders influenced by Mahatma Gandhi?

A.2 Two leaders influenced by Mahatma Gandhi are Martin Luther King Jr and Nelson Mandela.

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