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The Gandhi Reader: A Sourcebook of His Life and Writings by Mahatma Gandhi

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"With this rich and interesting ensemble of essays, we finally have a handy sourcebook of Gandhi's writings."—The Journal of Asian Studies.

Paperback

First published January 1, 1961

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Mahatma Gandhi

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Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, commonly known as Mahatma Gandhi, was the preeminent leader of Indian nationalism in British-ruled India. Employing non-violent civil disobedience, Gandhi led India to independence and inspired movements for non-violence, civil rights and freedom across the world.

The son of a senior government official, Gandhi was born and raised in a Hindu Bania community in coastal Gujarat, and trained in law in London. Gandhi became famous by fighting for the civil rights of Muslim and Hindu Indians in South Africa, using new techniques of non-violent civil disobedience that he developed. Returning to India in 1915, he set about organizing peasants to protest excessive land-taxes. A lifelong opponent of "communalism" (i.e. basing politics on religion) he reached out widely to all religious groups. He became a leader of Muslims protesting the declining status of the Caliphate. Assuming leadership of the Indian National Congress in 1921, Gandhi led nationwide campaigns for easing poverty, expanding women's rights, building religious and ethnic amity, ending untouchability, increasing economic self-reliance, and above all for achieving Swaraj—the independence of India from British domination. His spiritual teacher was the Jain philosopher/poet Shrimad Rajchandra.

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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Profile Image for Tricia.
42 reviews4 followers
January 11, 2009
wow. Gandhi was way more messed up than I ever anticipated from watching the film. A lot of radical socialist ideals. He was a huge fan of the later Tolstoy to give you an idea.
Still fascinating.
Profile Image for Thanveer Mandayappurath.
4 reviews
September 29, 2013

Interesting read. Most of the recounts belongs to the earlier and periods of Gandhi where you notice a very remarkable and uncompromising perspective about life.
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