Gandhi Early Life

In a small, white- washed house in Porbandar, on the coast of Kathiawad in western India, Mohandas Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869. His parents were Karamchand Gandhi and putlibai. He was small and dark, and looked no different from the millions of other children born in India. Yet this was no ordinary child. He was to fight and overcome a great empire and, without taking to arms, set his country free. He was to be called the Mahatma, the Great Soul. Having led his people to freedom, he was to lay down his life for their sake.

Gandhi Early Life 

Porbandar is an old seaport, overlooked by the distant Barda Hills. Even in ancient days ships from far-off lands went there to trade. It was the ancestral home of the Gandhis. Mohandas ‘Grandfather and father were famous for their ability and for their upright character. His grandfather, Uttamchand Gandhi, who belonged to a humble family of merchants, became the Dewan of Porbandar. He was succeeded by his son, Karamchand Gandhi, popularly known as Kaba Gandhi. Karamchand Gandhi had very little formal education, but his knowledge and experience made him a good administrator. He was brave and generous. He had, however, one flaw- a bad temper.

Putlibai, Karamchand Gandhi’s wife, was deeply religious. Every day she worshipped at the temple. She was a lovable and strong - willed woman, widely respected for her wisdom and good sense. People often sought her advice on various matters.

Mohandas was the youngest of the six children of Karamchand Gandhi. He was the favorite child of the family and was called Moniya by his fond parents and their friends. Moniya adored his mother. He loved his father too, but he was a little afraid of him.

As a child, Moniya seldom liked to stay at home. He would go home for his meals and then run away again to play outside. If one of his brothers teased him or playfully pulled his ears, he would run home to complain to his mother.

“Why didn’t you hit him?” she would ask.

“How can you teach me to hit people, mother? Why should I hit my brother? Why should I hit anyone?” would be Moniya’s prompt reply.

His mother wondered where her little son got such ideas from.

Moniya was just seven years old when his father left Porbandar to become the Dewan of Rajkot. Moniya missed Porbandar, and he missed the blue sea and the ships in the harbor.

At Rajkot he was sent to a primary school. He was shy and did not mix easily with the other children. Every morning he went to school on time, and ran back home as soon as the school was over. His books were his sole companions and he spent all his free time alone reading.

He had one friend, however, a boy named Uka. Uka was a sweeper boy and an untouchable. One day Moniya was given some sweets. He ran at once to Uka to share them with him.

“Don’t come near me, little master.” Said Uka.

“Why not?” asked Moniya, greatly surprised. “Why can’t I come near you?”

“I am an untouchable, master,” Uka replied.

Moniya took hold of Uka’s hands and filled them with sweets.

His mother saw this from a window and she ordered Moniya to come in at once.

“Don’t you know that a high-caste Hindu should never touch an untouchable?” she asked sternly.

“But why not, mother?” asked Moniya.

“Our Hindu custom forbids it,” she said.

“I don’t agree with you, mother. I find nothing wrong in touching Uka. He is not different from me. Is he?”

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