My Experiments With Truth Selections

by Mahatma Gandhi

Genres: Nonfiction

143 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2011

About the author

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.

Reviews

[Monalisa Padhee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Couldn't be a better book to start the new year. The book was chosen as I had formed certain half baked opinions about Gandhiji in the past after reading few articles. The books primarily describes the formative years of Gandhiji in London, Bombay and South Africa. The London dairies reflect on his struggle to retain his own identity in a foreign land yet his desire to be learning the British etiquette and their way of life. How his vow of vegetarianism has been a struggle initially and then had become a way of life by reading , meeting people and groups of similar interest and most important of all by experimenting. Various people he had met in his journey has helped him shape his idea of simple living which not only helped him financially but also cultivated the habit of long walks and a healthy way of life. The South Africa diaries dealt more with his racial encounters and how he united the Indians to fight for their self-respect and rights. There are also dedicated chapters to Gandhiji's love for learning and understanding various religions. The book teaches at many instance one of the basic rules i.e. if you believe in an idea wholeheartedly, it is important to follow it in your life before preaching it to the rest of the world. A soul-stirring read of self -realization, honest convictions and experimentation.

[Pradnya Raghuveer]

Mahatma Gandhi and his life was an example of simplicity and struggle. His autobiography tells us about the man in the making... the one who gifted us Independence through non violence. The book brings out his way of living and many small incidents that led to who he later became.

[Shashank · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice short book to get a look into life and thoughts of Gandhiji.

[Amit Chavada]

After reading this book of Mahatma Gandhi, it seems that honor of Mahatma given to his is he deserve.

[Rubina Shaikh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to read this for so long, what a journey it was, the early struggle of Gandhiji and his thoughts related to non-violence it's Amazing, everyone at least should read this book once in a lifetime.

[Jackson James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book was enlightening !! I urge everyone to read it once in there lifetime..

the best qoute i marked in this book …
“To see the universal and all - prevaiding spirit of truth face to face one must be able to love the meanest of creation as oneself “ MK Ghandhi Ji

[Punit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice book but too many mistakes. it tells about the struggle MK Gangdhi had to go through to keep his 3 promises made to his mother. This book tells about how he tried to live his life as simply as possible. He was lucky at many places. Even though he had gone to England and South Africa for his law studies, he didnt get a fine job when he came back in India because he had no practical knowledge and he had lack of confident. He didn't become a confident lawyer until he went South Africa again. There he faced racism but solved his case. Over all a nice book to read.