Without question Mahatma Gandhi is one of the most influential figures of the twentieth century. His principles of non-violence and passive resistance, his compassion, his steadfast determination in achieving political and social reform have influenced countless leaders and activists throughout the world. For this volume, editor and illustrator Beatrice Tanaka has culled Gandhi's inspirational text, either written or spoken, on a variety of subjects, including wealth, work, non-violence, civil disobedience, religion, love, and hope - all of which are as pertinent today, or perhaps more so, as the day they were written. Every spread includes not only Gandhi's words, but Beatrice Tanaka's striking black-and-white illustrations, which were created for this volume to complement Gandhi's visionary text.
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.