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Who Was . . . ? Series
Who Was Gandhi?
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born in 1869 in British-occupied India. Though he studied law in London and spent his early adulthood in South Africa, he remained devoted to his homeland and spent the later part of his life working to make India an independent nation. Calling for non-violent civil disobedience, Gandhi led India to independence and inspired movements for civil rights around the world. Gandhi is recognized internationally as a symbol of hope, peace, and freedom.
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First published November 13, 2014
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About the author
Dana Meachen Rau
486 books30 followersDana Meachen Rau is an author, editor, and illustrator of children's books. She has written more than 100 books for children, many of them nonfiction in subjects including astronomy, history, and geography, as well as numerous biographies. She lives in Burlington, Connecticut, with her husband and two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
November 22, 2024
Who Was ...? biography series for middle grade introduces Gandhi who was a global icon of peace and freedom, and the champion of an independent India.
Mohandas Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869 in Porbandar, India. His father was a political leader. At school, he was average and very shy. The books were his sole companions.
After high school, he tried college, but found no interest in the lectures. A friend suggested studying law in England which was easier than in India. He spent three years in England, where he obtained law and in his loneliness learned a lot about himself. It set him on the path as a spiritual and political leader.
Back in India, he was still too shy to lead cases in court, but then an opportunity came to work in South Africa. On his way there, he was mistreated only because he was Indian. In this injustice, he found his voice which led him to public speaking and fighting for equal rights. But he always used a peaceful way to stand up against unfairness.
After twenty-one years in South Africa, he returned to India. During this time, he transformed from a shy, young lawyer to a well-known leader. In India, he wanted to change how the lowest caste, called untouchables, was treated. He met with some opposition, but he persisted. He cared for poor people by opening schools and giving advice to farmers.
He spent some time in prison for urging others to resist British laws. As soon as he was out, he continued his work. He united the Indian people and spoke out in support of an independent India.
On August 15, 1947, India became independent, but clashes between religious groups continued. During his lifetime, Gandhi went on many hunger strikes in order to unite people. Even after achieving country’s independence, he still had to go on those hunger strikes.
This biography demonstrates a man who was so shy that he was forced to face unjust event in order to find his voice. And in his loneliness, he found spiritual meaning in life.
I’m a huge fan of this series, but this biography feels a bit choppy as too much was put in one place and not enough in another, feeling rushed and underdeveloped.
Mohandas Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869 in Porbandar, India. His father was a political leader. At school, he was average and very shy. The books were his sole companions.
After high school, he tried college, but found no interest in the lectures. A friend suggested studying law in England which was easier than in India. He spent three years in England, where he obtained law and in his loneliness learned a lot about himself. It set him on the path as a spiritual and political leader.
Back in India, he was still too shy to lead cases in court, but then an opportunity came to work in South Africa. On his way there, he was mistreated only because he was Indian. In this injustice, he found his voice which led him to public speaking and fighting for equal rights. But he always used a peaceful way to stand up against unfairness.
After twenty-one years in South Africa, he returned to India. During this time, he transformed from a shy, young lawyer to a well-known leader. In India, he wanted to change how the lowest caste, called untouchables, was treated. He met with some opposition, but he persisted. He cared for poor people by opening schools and giving advice to farmers.
He spent some time in prison for urging others to resist British laws. As soon as he was out, he continued his work. He united the Indian people and spoke out in support of an independent India.
On August 15, 1947, India became independent, but clashes between religious groups continued. During his lifetime, Gandhi went on many hunger strikes in order to unite people. Even after achieving country’s independence, he still had to go on those hunger strikes.
This biography demonstrates a man who was so shy that he was forced to face unjust event in order to find his voice. And in his loneliness, he found spiritual meaning in life.
I’m a huge fan of this series, but this biography feels a bit choppy as too much was put in one place and not enough in another, feeling rushed and underdeveloped.
February 11, 2018
I don’t think I can say enough good things about this series. My daughter reads these aloud to my husband but my son quietly absorbs every detail as he reads these to himself, usually finishing one a night while he is supposed to be sleeping! Occasionally I pick one up to flip through and I get sucked in. There is so much to be learned, even about incredible people such as Gandhi. What an uplifting, peaceful soul he was. 5 stars
December 28, 2020
هذا المهاتما وهذه أعماله .. يا ليت شعري هل أتت آماله ؟!
اسمه الأول موهانداس، تبدو بالعربية تشبه كلمة مهندس، ولد موهانداس غاندي لأسرة ميسورة الحال في إحدى قرى الهند تتبع الديانة الهندوسية، بين أب له وظيفة جيدة وبين أم متدينة مترهبنة تكثر من الصلوات الهندوسية والصوم والامتناع عن الأكل على طريقة تعاليميهم الدينية، إلى درجة انها كانت كثيرا ما تمتنع عن الطعام وتقول لن آكل حتى تشرق الشمس، فكان ابناءها ينتظرون بفارغ الصبر أن تشرق الشمس من أجل أن تأكل والدتهم، هذه الرهبنة الهندوسية وبالذات الامتناع عن الطعام ستكون إحدى أكثر وسائل غاندي المؤثرة في استقلال الهند ، وهي الإضراب عن الطعام.
كانت الهند آنذاك تحت الاستعمار البريطاني، فكانت بريطانيا تؤمن مصالح كبرى وتحصل على ثروات هائلة بسبب هذا الاستعمار، منها مثلا الملح الهندي المنثور في شواطئ الهند والتي كانت بريطانيا تحظر على الهنود أن يجمعوه ويصنعوه، وتحتكر استخراجه وصناعته لشركاتها الكبرى، وعى غاندي الظلم الذي يتعرض له الهنود من الاستعمار البريطاني، كما قدر له أن يسافر إلى بريطانيا ليتعلم في جامعاتها وكان تخصصه الحقوق، فتخرج محاميا يحس بأوجاع قومه ، رغم انه فشل في الترافع في المحاكم لأنه كان خجولا جدا.
قدر لغاندي أن يذهب للعمل في جنوب افريقيا ، مع كثير من العمالة الهندية التي كانت تعمل هناك، وعاش اكثر من عشرين سنة تطور فيها أداءه وخبرته، اكسبت غاندي خبرته في الهند وبريطانيا وجنوب افريقيا إلى معرفة الأوجاع التي عاناها الهنود من البريطانيين، منها العنصرية التي تمثل احتقار العرق الهندي في مظاهر عدة منها الفصل العنصري ومنها التعامل معهم بقسوة ومنها حرمانهم من قيادة انفسهم بأنفسهم، وشيئا فشيئا شكل غاندي مجموعة قيم ومبادئ للحصول على مطالب الشعب ، وهو عبر اتخاذ الطرق السلمية ومنهج اللاعنف، ، فيتم التظاهر السلمي مثلا، ويمتنع الناس عن العمل ، ويضرب عن الطعام ، ويقومون بأعمال تخالف القانون ، اذا كان هذا القانون غير منصفا برأيهم ، مثل استخراج الملح وصناعته وهو الامر الذي كانت تحظره بريطانيا ، كل هذه الأعمال آمن غاندي بها وحاول تطبيقها أولا في جنوب أفريقيا للجالية الهندية هناك، ونجح نجاحا كبيرا ، وشيئا فشيئا تحول إلى شخصية نضالية مشهورة.
عندما عاد غاندي إلى الهند، وكان له حضور كبير، كان هدفه موجها نحو استقلال الهند من بريطانيا، كما كان يحمل أفكارا في الإصلاح الداخلي، ففي تعاليم الديانة الهندوسية هناك تقسيم بين الطبقات ، هناك اربع طبقات ، الطبقة الأولى والثانية من يحوز عليها الحكام و النبلاء ورجال الدين والمحاربين، أم الطبقة الثالثة فهي التي ينتمي لها غاندي، وهي طبقة العمال والحرفيين، اما الطبقة الأخيرة، فهي طبقة العبيد والخادمين الذين توكل بهم المهمات الدنيا مثل التنظيف، وكان لغاندي موقف من هذا التقسيم ونجح إلى حد كبير في التخفيف منه ، وهذا في نظري أصعب المهام التي يقوم بها أي انسان ، وهو نقد الذات والمجتمع الذي جاء منه، فهو سيحصل على الكثير من الاتباع في نضاله ضد الاستعمار، ولكنه سيحصل على الكثير من الانتقادات والهجوم من قومه حين ينقدهم، ولكن مع ذلك كان مصلحا من الداخل كما كان مصلحا من الخارج، وله أمر يحسب له كثير هو موقفه المحب من المسلمين ، وكان المسلمين آنذاك نسبة كبيرة من الهند الكبرى التي كانت تضم باكستان و بنغلادش، وكان هذا الرجل غاندي يؤمن بوطن يعيش فيه المسلمين والهندوس متساوين ومتعايشين ، وهم الذين قضوا الف سنة في حروب وصراعات لا تنتهي، وكان كل شيء يبدو له علاج .. مشكلة الاستعمار، والإصلاح وغيرها، ولكن مشكلة الطائفية والتعايش كانت داءا عيائا لم يتمكن غاندي من حلها.
كان غاندي متقللا زاهدا، يؤمن بمبدأ عدم التملك، وهو ألا يسعى الانسان إلى الكثير من الأمور المادية، وكان هذا كله مستوحى من ديانته الهندوسية ومن طريقة أمه في الزهد والامتناع عن الطعام وأداء الصلوات الهندوسية، اكسبته هذه الشخصية الروحية حبا لدى الهندوس وكذلك المسلمين الذين يشتركون في تقدير قيمة الزهد والصوم والابتعاد عن الماديات، وشخصية غاندي تأثرت بها كثير من حركات التحرر ومنها التيارات الإسلامية ، وكان مثالا حاولوا أن يجاروه ويتعلموا منه، تخيل كيف هي مشاعرك عندما ترى رجلا في الستين يمشي قرابة اربعمئة كيلومتر في تظاهرة جماعية ليصل إلى البحر ويلتقط الملح كي يرسل رسالة بأن من حقهم أن يحصلوا على ملحهم ومن حقهم أن يستقلوا.
قاد غاندي ثورة عارمة من اللاعنف في الهند للحصول على الاستقلال، وتعرض للسجن عدة مرات، و انضم اليه في هذه الثورة قطاع كبير من الشعب ، وتظاهروا في كل ارجاء القارة الهندية ، وامتنعوا عن العمل، وسقط منهم آلاف الضحايا تحت بنادق الجنود البريطانيين، كما استخدم البعض من الهنود العنف وقتلوا بعض البريطانيين، وكان غاندي يرفض العنف ويؤكد على الالتزام بالسلمية ، وكان إذا أراد أن يوصل رسالة الى البريطانيين او الهنود، أضرب عن الطعام من أجل أن تتحقق مطالبه، ومع دخول بريطانيا في الحرب العالمية الثانية ارسل غاندي رسالة إلى حاكم بريطانيا فحواها أننا سنكون معكم في حربكم بشرط أن تعدونا بإعطائنا الاستقلال، وماهي الا عدة سنوات حتى انجلى البريطانيين عن الهند ليسلموا الحكم إلى غاندي وصديقه جواهر لال نهرو.
كان غاندي حيا حين استقلت الهند وتم تسليم الحكم بالكامل إليهم، ولكن في ذلك الوقت كان صراع أخطر يجري في الهند بين الهندوس والمسلمين، وبدى ان لا ثمة حل إلا تقسيم الهند إلى ثلاثة دول، باكستان المسلمة في الغرب وبنغلادش المسلمة في الشرق، والهند الهندوسية ذات الحجم الأكبر، وحدث نزوح للطوائف وحدثت كثير من القلاقل والفتن الطائفية، وكان غاندي يرى مئات الآلاف من القتلى تسقط في مثل هذه الحروب الأهلية، ففي النضال ضد بريطانيا لم يسقط سوى عدد قليل بالمقارنة بمن يسقطون الآن، واعلن غاندي اضرابه عن الطعام من أجل أن يتوقف الهندوس والمسلمون عن قتال بعضهم، وبدى انهم استجابوا شيئا ما، وفي يوم من سنة 1948 وقف غاندي خطيبا في حشد من الهندوس ليخبرهم بأهمية التعايش ونبذ العنف، وكانوا يرونه متحيزا للمسلمين، وإذا برجل هندوسي متطرف يتقدم إلى المنصة ويسدد نحوه مسدده ويفرغ مافيه من طلقات، حينها سقط غاندي منهيا حياته ، سعى إلى استقلال وطنه، واهتم بجميع الطوائف واحس بمعاناة الجميع ، آمن بالزهد والتقلل من الأملاك والأموال، ونجح إلى حد كبير في أن يعبر بالهند بجميع طوائفها إلى الاستقلال ، وإلى خيار التقسيم الذي وإن كان مرا ولكنه ضمن حق الجميع.
نتعلم من قصة غاندي أن القائد ينبغي لا يكون متهورا يسبب لشعبه الهلاك ولا متعصبا يسبب الهلاك للآخرين، كان غاندي فيما يظهر لي قائدا عاقلا ، فمبدأ اللاعنف الذي جاء به .. عقل ، مبدأ نقد الذات ورفض الطبقية التي جاءت بها تعاليمهم الدينية .. عقل ، المحبة لجميع طوائف الشعب وإرادة تحقيق مصلحتهم دون تفرقة .. عقل ،، الزهد في كل شيء حتى في الحكم .. عقل وحكمة كبيرة ، عدم محاباة طائفتك إلى درجة أن يقتلك أحد متطرفيها .. عقل وأي عقل،
من جهة أخرى لا أريد أن أضع لغاندي صورة ملائكية فله سلبياته الكثيرة التي لم أهتم بالبحث عنها ، فمن قصصه الغريبة أنه كان يسافر على الدرجة الثالثة الاقتصادية كي يظهر متأسيا بالشعب، ولكن كان ذلك مكلفا على الدولة أكثر من لو كان قد سافر في طائرة خاصة ، لأن الحكومة تضطر إلى الكثير من الإجراءات الأمنية وإخلاء المقاعد ، فتأملت في هذا الأمر وقلت في نفسي ربما كان إصرار غاندي على أن يبدو زاهدا أهم عنده من الزهد نفسه ، ففي قيم الإسلام من أعلى مراتب الزهد أن يزهد المؤمن في زهده، أي أن لا يظهر هذا الزهد وألا يعتد به ، وكان غاندي لا يأكل إلا طعاما محددا جدا وهو الحليب وبعض الفواكه المجففة، وكان يرفض ما سواه حتى لو كان مقدما له في وليمة، وقد تكون هذه القيم مرتبطة بديانته وقيمه الروحية التي نختلف معها، كما ان لغاندي مواقف غريبة تثير النفور بل وله مخازي نتنزه عن ذكرها ، ونحن في النهاية لا نبرأه من ضلوعه في أي أخطاء أو حتى جرائم قد تكون حدثت في فترة نضاله ضد البريطانيين أو في فترة وصوله للسلطة باعتباره كان سياسيا كباقي السياسين.
اسمه الأول موهانداس، تبدو بالعربية تشبه كلمة مهندس، ولد موهانداس غاندي لأسرة ميسورة الحال في إحدى قرى الهند تتبع الديانة الهندوسية، بين أب له وظيفة جيدة وبين أم متدينة مترهبنة تكثر من الصلوات الهندوسية والصوم والامتناع عن الأكل على طريقة تعاليميهم الدينية، إلى درجة انها كانت كثيرا ما تمتنع عن الطعام وتقول لن آكل حتى تشرق الشمس، فكان ابناءها ينتظرون بفارغ الصبر أن تشرق الشمس من أجل أن تأكل والدتهم، هذه الرهبنة الهندوسية وبالذات الامتناع عن الطعام ستكون إحدى أكثر وسائل غاندي المؤثرة في استقلال الهند ، وهي الإضراب عن الطعام.
كانت الهند آنذاك تحت الاستعمار البريطاني، فكانت بريطانيا تؤمن مصالح كبرى وتحصل على ثروات هائلة بسبب هذا الاستعمار، منها مثلا الملح الهندي المنثور في شواطئ الهند والتي كانت بريطانيا تحظر على الهنود أن يجمعوه ويصنعوه، وتحتكر استخراجه وصناعته لشركاتها الكبرى، وعى غاندي الظلم الذي يتعرض له الهنود من الاستعمار البريطاني، كما قدر له أن يسافر إلى بريطانيا ليتعلم في جامعاتها وكان تخصصه الحقوق، فتخرج محاميا يحس بأوجاع قومه ، رغم انه فشل في الترافع في المحاكم لأنه كان خجولا جدا.
قدر لغاندي أن يذهب للعمل في جنوب افريقيا ، مع كثير من العمالة الهندية التي كانت تعمل هناك، وعاش اكثر من عشرين سنة تطور فيها أداءه وخبرته، اكسبت غاندي خبرته في الهند وبريطانيا وجنوب افريقيا إلى معرفة الأوجاع التي عاناها الهنود من البريطانيين، منها العنصرية التي تمثل احتقار العرق الهندي في مظاهر عدة منها الفصل العنصري ومنها التعامل معهم بقسوة ومنها حرمانهم من قيادة انفسهم بأنفسهم، وشيئا فشيئا شكل غاندي مجموعة قيم ومبادئ للحصول على مطالب الشعب ، وهو عبر اتخاذ الطرق السلمية ومنهج اللاعنف، ، فيتم التظاهر السلمي مثلا، ويمتنع الناس عن العمل ، ويضرب عن الطعام ، ويقومون بأعمال تخالف القانون ، اذا كان هذا القانون غير منصفا برأيهم ، مثل استخراج الملح وصناعته وهو الامر الذي كانت تحظره بريطانيا ، كل هذه الأعمال آمن غاندي بها وحاول تطبيقها أولا في جنوب أفريقيا للجالية الهندية هناك، ونجح نجاحا كبيرا ، وشيئا فشيئا تحول إلى شخصية نضالية مشهورة.
عندما عاد غاندي إلى الهند، وكان له حضور كبير، كان هدفه موجها نحو استقلال الهند من بريطانيا، كما كان يحمل أفكارا في الإصلاح الداخلي، ففي تعاليم الديانة الهندوسية هناك تقسيم بين الطبقات ، هناك اربع طبقات ، الطبقة الأولى والثانية من يحوز عليها الحكام و النبلاء ورجال الدين والمحاربين، أم الطبقة الثالثة فهي التي ينتمي لها غاندي، وهي طبقة العمال والحرفيين، اما الطبقة الأخيرة، فهي طبقة العبيد والخادمين الذين توكل بهم المهمات الدنيا مثل التنظيف، وكان لغاندي موقف من هذا التقسيم ونجح إلى حد كبير في التخفيف منه ، وهذا في نظري أصعب المهام التي يقوم بها أي انسان ، وهو نقد الذات والمجتمع الذي جاء منه، فهو سيحصل على الكثير من الاتباع في نضاله ضد الاستعمار، ولكنه سيحصل على الكثير من الانتقادات والهجوم من قومه حين ينقدهم، ولكن مع ذلك كان مصلحا من الداخل كما كان مصلحا من الخارج، وله أمر يحسب له كثير هو موقفه المحب من المسلمين ، وكان المسلمين آنذاك نسبة كبيرة من الهند الكبرى التي كانت تضم باكستان و بنغلادش، وكان هذا الرجل غاندي يؤمن بوطن يعيش فيه المسلمين والهندوس متساوين ومتعايشين ، وهم الذين قضوا الف سنة في حروب وصراعات لا تنتهي، وكان كل شيء يبدو له علاج .. مشكلة الاستعمار، والإصلاح وغيرها، ولكن مشكلة الطائفية والتعايش كانت داءا عيائا لم يتمكن غاندي من حلها.
كان غاندي متقللا زاهدا، يؤمن بمبدأ عدم التملك، وهو ألا يسعى الانسان إلى الكثير من الأمور المادية، وكان هذا كله مستوحى من ديانته الهندوسية ومن طريقة أمه في الزهد والامتناع عن الطعام وأداء الصلوات الهندوسية، اكسبته هذه الشخصية الروحية حبا لدى الهندوس وكذلك المسلمين الذين يشتركون في تقدير قيمة الزهد والصوم والابتعاد عن الماديات، وشخصية غاندي تأثرت بها كثير من حركات التحرر ومنها التيارات الإسلامية ، وكان مثالا حاولوا أن يجاروه ويتعلموا منه، تخيل كيف هي مشاعرك عندما ترى رجلا في الستين يمشي قرابة اربعمئة كيلومتر في تظاهرة جماعية ليصل إلى البحر ويلتقط الملح كي يرسل رسالة بأن من حقهم أن يحصلوا على ملحهم ومن حقهم أن يستقلوا.
قاد غاندي ثورة عارمة من اللاعنف في الهند للحصول على الاستقلال، وتعرض للسجن عدة مرات، و انضم اليه في هذه الثورة قطاع كبير من الشعب ، وتظاهروا في كل ارجاء القارة الهندية ، وامتنعوا عن العمل، وسقط منهم آلاف الضحايا تحت بنادق الجنود البريطانيين، كما استخدم البعض من الهنود العنف وقتلوا بعض البريطانيين، وكان غاندي يرفض العنف ويؤكد على الالتزام بالسلمية ، وكان إذا أراد أن يوصل رسالة الى البريطانيين او الهنود، أضرب عن الطعام من أجل أن تتحقق مطالبه، ومع دخول بريطانيا في الحرب العالمية الثانية ارسل غاندي رسالة إلى حاكم بريطانيا فحواها أننا سنكون معكم في حربكم بشرط أن تعدونا بإعطائنا الاستقلال، وماهي الا عدة سنوات حتى انجلى البريطانيين عن الهند ليسلموا الحكم إلى غاندي وصديقه جواهر لال نهرو.
كان غاندي حيا حين استقلت الهند وتم تسليم الحكم بالكامل إليهم، ولكن في ذلك الوقت كان صراع أخطر يجري في الهند بين الهندوس والمسلمين، وبدى ان لا ثمة حل إلا تقسيم الهند إلى ثلاثة دول، باكستان المسلمة في الغرب وبنغلادش المسلمة في الشرق، والهند الهندوسية ذات الحجم الأكبر، وحدث نزوح للطوائف وحدثت كثير من القلاقل والفتن الطائفية، وكان غاندي يرى مئات الآلاف من القتلى تسقط في مثل هذه الحروب الأهلية، ففي النضال ضد بريطانيا لم يسقط سوى عدد قليل بالمقارنة بمن يسقطون الآن، واعلن غاندي اضرابه عن الطعام من أجل أن يتوقف الهندوس والمسلمون عن قتال بعضهم، وبدى انهم استجابوا شيئا ما، وفي يوم من سنة 1948 وقف غاندي خطيبا في حشد من الهندوس ليخبرهم بأهمية التعايش ونبذ العنف، وكانوا يرونه متحيزا للمسلمين، وإذا برجل هندوسي متطرف يتقدم إلى المنصة ويسدد نحوه مسدده ويفرغ مافيه من طلقات، حينها سقط غاندي منهيا حياته ، سعى إلى استقلال وطنه، واهتم بجميع الطوائف واحس بمعاناة الجميع ، آمن بالزهد والتقلل من الأملاك والأموال، ونجح إلى حد كبير في أن يعبر بالهند بجميع طوائفها إلى الاستقلال ، وإلى خيار التقسيم الذي وإن كان مرا ولكنه ضمن حق الجميع.
نتعلم من قصة غاندي أن القائد ينبغي لا يكون متهورا يسبب لشعبه الهلاك ولا متعصبا يسبب الهلاك للآخرين، كان غاندي فيما يظهر لي قائدا عاقلا ، فمبدأ اللاعنف الذي جاء به .. عقل ، مبدأ نقد الذات ورفض الطبقية التي جاءت بها تعاليمهم الدينية .. عقل ، المحبة لجميع طوائف الشعب وإرادة تحقيق مصلحتهم دون تفرقة .. عقل ،، الزهد في كل شيء حتى في الحكم .. عقل وحكمة كبيرة ، عدم محاباة طائفتك إلى درجة أن يقتلك أحد متطرفيها .. عقل وأي عقل،
من جهة أخرى لا أريد أن أضع لغاندي صورة ملائكية فله سلبياته الكثيرة التي لم أهتم بالبحث عنها ، فمن قصصه الغريبة أنه كان يسافر على الدرجة الثالثة الاقتصادية كي يظهر متأسيا بالشعب، ولكن كان ذلك مكلفا على الدولة أكثر من لو كان قد سافر في طائرة خاصة ، لأن الحكومة تضطر إلى الكثير من الإجراءات الأمنية وإخلاء المقاعد ، فتأملت في هذا الأمر وقلت في نفسي ربما كان إصرار غاندي على أن يبدو زاهدا أهم عنده من الزهد نفسه ، ففي قيم الإسلام من أعلى مراتب الزهد أن يزهد المؤمن في زهده، أي أن لا يظهر هذا الزهد وألا يعتد به ، وكان غاندي لا يأكل إلا طعاما محددا جدا وهو الحليب وبعض الفواكه المجففة، وكان يرفض ما سواه حتى لو كان مقدما له في وليمة، وقد تكون هذه القيم مرتبطة بديانته وقيمه الروحية التي نختلف معها، كما ان لغاندي مواقف غريبة تثير النفور بل وله مخازي نتنزه عن ذكرها ، ونحن في النهاية لا نبرأه من ضلوعه في أي أخطاء أو حتى جرائم قد تكون حدثت في فترة نضاله ضد البريطانيين أو في فترة وصوله للسلطة باعتباره كان سياسيا كباقي السياسين.
February 5, 2017
Who Was Gandhi? by Dana Meachen Rau added so many new details to my knowledge of Gandhi's life. Great book filled with social, personal, and historical information. It weaves it together making this a story without the reader knowing it is really a history lesson. Wonderful book, one of my favorites!
April 8, 2020
Impressive!
Biographies have never been my choice.
I am thankful to the authors of this illustrative collection. This is my second book and definitely I will make it and complete the rest. 👍🏼
Biographies have never been my choice.
I am thankful to the authors of this illustrative collection. This is my second book and definitely I will make it and complete the rest. 👍🏼
February 16, 2017
“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”
― Mahatma Gandhi
― Mahatma Gandhi
December 1, 2022
Gandhi like Martin Luther King used non-Violent methods in his campaigns & sadly like Luther King was Taken from this Earth far Too Soon.
January 27, 2026
مهانداس گاندی که مردم اون رو مهاتما به معنی «روح بزرگ» صدا میکردن اهل مذاکرات صلح آمیز بود که این کسایی مثل مارتین لوتر کینگ جونیور رو در جنبش آزادی سیاهپوستان تحت تاثیر قرار داد.
نکات جالب کتاب:
گاندی در سن ۱۸ سالگی به انگلیس رفت تا درس وکالت بخواند و در آن جا سعی کرد مثل یک جنتلمن لباس بپوشد تا با دیگران قاطی شود اما او همچنان خجالتی بود.
گاندی آزادی خواهی رو از جامعه ی هندی های مقیم آقریقای جنوبی شروع کرد. او به نافرمانی مدنی (Civil Disobedience) اعتقاد داشت و روش او بدون خشونت بود. روش او بعد بیست سال نتیجه داد و توانست حق هایی برای هندی های مقیم آفریقای جنوبی بگیرد. دیگر وقت برگشتن به هند بود.
لقب «مهاتما» رو رابیندرانات تاگور شاعر هتدی به گاندی داد که یه شعرشو در کتاب ادبیات فارسی سوم دبیرستان خوندیم.
سه سلاح بدون خشونت گاندی «اعتصاب: کار نکردن» و «بایکوت: نخریدن» و «اعصاب غذا: نخوردن» بودن و او با همین سه سلاح تونست هند رو به استقلال برسونه.
از کارهای جالب گاندی این بود که اعتصاب غذا کرد تا هندوها و مسلمانان هند متحد شوند و بعد سه هفته نتیجه داد هرچند موقع استقلال هند، هند به دو کشور هند (هندوها) و پاکستان (مسلمانان) تقسیم شد
اون در نهایت توسط شخصی از گروه های افراطی هندو ترور شد. دلیل این کار این بود که اون رو مقصر کشته شدن هندوهای زیادی در تنش بین مسلمانان و هندوها شد.
نکات جالب کتاب:
گاندی در سن ۱۸ سالگی به انگلیس رفت تا درس وکالت بخواند و در آن جا سعی کرد مثل یک جنتلمن لباس بپوشد تا با دیگران قاطی شود اما او همچنان خجالتی بود.
گاندی آزادی خواهی رو از جامعه ی هندی های مقیم آقریقای جنوبی شروع کرد. او به نافرمانی مدنی (Civil Disobedience) اعتقاد داشت و روش او بدون خشونت بود. روش او بعد بیست سال نتیجه داد و توانست حق هایی برای هندی های مقیم آفریقای جنوبی بگیرد. دیگر وقت برگشتن به هند بود.
لقب «مهاتما» رو رابیندرانات تاگور شاعر هتدی به گاندی داد که یه شعرشو در کتاب ادبیات فارسی سوم دبیرستان خوندیم.
سه سلاح بدون خشونت گاندی «اعتصاب: کار نکردن» و «بایکوت: نخریدن» و «اعصاب غذا: نخوردن» بودن و او با همین سه سلاح تونست هند رو به استقلال برسونه.
از کارهای جالب گاندی این بود که اعتصاب غذا کرد تا هندوها و مسلمانان هند متحد شوند و بعد سه هفته نتیجه داد هرچند موقع استقلال هند، هند به دو کشور هند (هندوها) و پاکستان (مسلمانان) تقسیم شد
اون در نهایت توسط شخصی از گروه های افراطی هندو ترور شد. دلیل این کار این بود که اون رو مقصر کشته شدن هندوهای زیادی در تنش بین مسلمانان و هندوها شد.
September 8, 2021
A great Children's history book about Gandhi. I had no idea he was a lawyer! Fascinating story....
December 30, 2021
Who was Gandhi by Dana Meachen Rau Illustraror Jerry Hoare and Nancy Harrison- Children’s illustrated colour picture book- The book narrates the story of non-violent civil disobedience movement against British rule by marching from Ahmedabad to Dandi sea coast in Nawasari Gujarat by 78 men and women under Mahatma Gandhi covering a distance of 240 miles. The march continued for 24 days beginning on 12 March, 1930 to 06 April 1930. British Government had levied “Salt Tax” in India. Thus, salt which abounds in India could not be traded freely without payment of tax. Gandhi prepared salt on Dandi sea coast, thus, he broke the British salt tax law. This was a step toward independence of India from British rule. Chapter 1- Gandhi was born and brought up in Porbandar with his step sister Raliatben, his elder brothers Lakshimidas and Karsandas. He went to school. His father Karanchand was diwan of Porbandar State. He lived in a three storied residence. He was married to Kasturba at the age of 13- years. In 1874. His father left for Rajkot to join a Diwan. His mother Putli bai taught him Hindu religious customs. She observed fasts, performed puja & visited temple daily. Because of his being busy with marriage ceremonies, he was one year absent from class. Religion in India- Hindus and Muslim lived in India. Muslim population was collected in North west and north east of India. When he was 16- year old, his father expired. In year 1887, he competed his High School studies. Chapter 2- Attorney in London- on 04 September, 1888, at the age of 18 years, Gandhi left for London by ship. He remained a vegetarian. He took admission in University College, London. He dined at a vegetarian restaurant at Farringdon Street. He attempted to learn violin, dance, French language, pleasing manners in London. In 3- years he completed his education and returned on 10 June, 1891 to India. Chapter 3- An Unwanted guest- Gandhi was not able to settle in Court in Bombay and Rajkot. He got an offer of work as Vakil in Durban, Africa for one year. He left his wife and two children Harilal and Manilal in the guardianship of his elder brother Laxmidas and left for Durban by ship. He had to travel from Durban to Pretoria. He was travelling with a first class ticket. He was kicked out the compartment and thrown off a train at Pietermaritzburg railway station after refusing to leave the first-class. At Pretoria, a coachman did not provide seat in the coach to him, for being coloured person. He had to travel on foot board. But these incidents changed Gandhi to a self- respecting Indian Attorney. During that period, South Africa was governed by the British and Dutch. Cape Colony and Natal were British while Dutch /boars governed Transvaal and Orange Free State. Indians were brought as labour to Natal to work in sugarcane and coffee farms. From 1860 to 1894 there were 4300 Indian and 40000 British in Natal. In order to control rise in Indian population, British brought in laws which reduced the rights of Indians. In Pretoria, Gandhi delivered a speech about fighting with British for their rights. Gandhi decided not to return to India but to fight for their rights in South Africa. Chapter 4- Truth- In 1894, Gandhi formed Natal Congress to fight the British foandr granting participation in governance of South Africa. 1- Indians had to pay separate tax, 2- their marriages were not recognized as only Christian marriages were recognized, 3- at night Indians could not move out after 9.00 PM without permit, 4- Indians were not allowed to vote for their members. After three years in Natal, in the year 1896, Gandhi returned to India and returned back with his wife, two sons and his brother’s son. In 1899, war started between Dutch Boers and British soldiers. In order to get better rights with British, Gandhi organized Indian Ambulance Corps with 100 volunteers to help bring the wounded soldiers to hospital. After the war, British brought more restrictions on Indians. In 1903, Gandhi started a newspaper named INDIAN OPINION, in which medicines for natural cure of ailments, problems of Indians, laws of British, were informed. Chapter 5- Satyagraha- in 1906, British passed a law under which Indians had to give finger prints and take a license. Police could enter their residence and check their license. Gandhi started non-co-operation movement by asking Indians not to register for license. This law was not applicable to other communities of South Africa. Indians were put in jails for noncompliance. In 1904, started Phoenix settlement near Durban, in 1909, Tolstoy farm near Johannesburg. During strikes, non-violence was practiced. Up to 1991, apartheid was practiced in South Africa. In 1994, these apartheid laws were abolished by formation a new government under Nelson Mandela. Chapter 5- Mahatma Gandhi in India-
December 9, 2020
Dana Meachen Rau unfolds the story of Mohandas Gandhi through her creative biography Who Was Gandhi?. With the help of artist Jerry Hoare, Dana begins Gandhi's story in 1869 India. The novel discusses both the positive and negative aspects of Mohandas’ life.
The book starts with the birth of Gandhi and an introduction to his family members such as his strictly religious mother, Putlibai. Gandhi's mother left a big impact on his character as written in the book “His mother’s devotion left a big impression on little Mohan. He saw her as a saint.”. Due to having a religious family, Gandhi needed to have an arranged marriage with Katsurbai (whom he later divorced in his lifetime).
After Gandhi attended school in London to gain his degree in law, he returned home but had to leave his family once again since he could not find work in India. The first experience of racism Gandhi had ever experienced occurred in South Africa on a train in first class. A European man had complained about an Indian riding first-class; because of this Gandhi had to leave the train. Multiple racially charged interactions similar to this event sparked Gandhi's passion for activism for his Indian community.
Thus, Gandhi started finding peaceful ways for the British to cooperate with the Indians such as working together in wars and creating Indian ambulance corps. Gandhi later published articles weekly in his weekly journal called the Indian Opinion. After twenty years of tough labor, Gandhi’s hopes finally made a change. South Africa’s government had passed the Indian Relief Act. Although Gandhi had made a difference in South Africa, he had hoped he could do the same in India, although he had much work to do.
In fact, Gandhi’s teachings and morals had reached India; when he arrived the country greeted him as a hero. British military brutality had a strong hand in India. For instance, a proclamation set out by the government stated no meeting of Indians could happen. The day after, a crowd of ten-twenty thousand Indians had gathered to celebrate the religious new year Many did not hear of the proclamation and General Dyer arrived. On April 13th, almost four hundred people were killed and about one thousand wounded. Gandhi understood he could no longer give loyalty to the government.
Therefore, Dana Meachen Rau’s Who Is Gandhi? includes critical historical events and facts with incredible, accurate sketches. The biography book accurately goes through and recreates occurrences Gandhi himself had experienced. I would recommend this book to children age 11 and above to inspire young children. An exceptional role model would be Gandhi, he lived a wonderful life. As shown in the book, Gandhi resulted as one loved by all, “After five days of negotiations, both Hindu and Muslim political leaders came before Gandhi and agreed to his terms. They did not want to see him suffer.” If one ever wonders what the once wise Gandhi endured and accomplished in his life, this book is a must-read.
The book starts with the birth of Gandhi and an introduction to his family members such as his strictly religious mother, Putlibai. Gandhi's mother left a big impact on his character as written in the book “His mother’s devotion left a big impression on little Mohan. He saw her as a saint.”. Due to having a religious family, Gandhi needed to have an arranged marriage with Katsurbai (whom he later divorced in his lifetime).
After Gandhi attended school in London to gain his degree in law, he returned home but had to leave his family once again since he could not find work in India. The first experience of racism Gandhi had ever experienced occurred in South Africa on a train in first class. A European man had complained about an Indian riding first-class; because of this Gandhi had to leave the train. Multiple racially charged interactions similar to this event sparked Gandhi's passion for activism for his Indian community.
Thus, Gandhi started finding peaceful ways for the British to cooperate with the Indians such as working together in wars and creating Indian ambulance corps. Gandhi later published articles weekly in his weekly journal called the Indian Opinion. After twenty years of tough labor, Gandhi’s hopes finally made a change. South Africa’s government had passed the Indian Relief Act. Although Gandhi had made a difference in South Africa, he had hoped he could do the same in India, although he had much work to do.
In fact, Gandhi’s teachings and morals had reached India; when he arrived the country greeted him as a hero. British military brutality had a strong hand in India. For instance, a proclamation set out by the government stated no meeting of Indians could happen. The day after, a crowd of ten-twenty thousand Indians had gathered to celebrate the religious new year Many did not hear of the proclamation and General Dyer arrived. On April 13th, almost four hundred people were killed and about one thousand wounded. Gandhi understood he could no longer give loyalty to the government.
Therefore, Dana Meachen Rau’s Who Is Gandhi? includes critical historical events and facts with incredible, accurate sketches. The biography book accurately goes through and recreates occurrences Gandhi himself had experienced. I would recommend this book to children age 11 and above to inspire young children. An exceptional role model would be Gandhi, he lived a wonderful life. As shown in the book, Gandhi resulted as one loved by all, “After five days of negotiations, both Hindu and Muslim political leaders came before Gandhi and agreed to his terms. They did not want to see him suffer.” If one ever wonders what the once wise Gandhi endured and accomplished in his life, this book is a must-read.
August 9, 2021
I know Gandhi before and I love him, because I know he boycotted the British to take independence for his country.
“I learned from Al-Hussein how to be oppressed in order to declare victory.” This saying is one of my favorites.
Today after read this good and simple book I know most of thing about Gandhi and India.
The book is gave me more information and improved my English language.
Gandhi is Indian person. He studied law in England. Gandhi was shy, then changed after he went to South Africa after seeing the racist treatment of Indians. Hence, Gandhi became another brave person who demanded independence for his country and justice for all.
“I learned from Al-Hussein how to be oppressed in order to declare victory.” This saying is one of my favorites.
Today after read this good and simple book I know most of thing about Gandhi and India.
The book is gave me more information and improved my English language.
Gandhi is Indian person. He studied law in England. Gandhi was shy, then changed after he went to South Africa after seeing the racist treatment of Indians. Hence, Gandhi became another brave person who demanded independence for his country and justice for all.
December 29, 2024
I found this interesting but also kept wondering if he was a tyrant at home. He certainly left his wife for long periods of time, apparently returning home just long enough to impregnate her again. The author did note a few times his wife, Kasturbai, did not agree with Gandhi.
Recommended. Does a decent job on him, but I need to read more on his life, particularly in South Africa. At least this book finally explained to me why so many Indians lived in South Africa, something I had never understood before!
Recommended. Does a decent job on him, but I need to read more on his life, particularly in South Africa. At least this book finally explained to me why so many Indians lived in South Africa, something I had never understood before!
May 21, 2017
Gandhi was a nice man he was a shy boy but he sticked up for himself. At the age of thirteen he marred the girl named kasturbai. Gandhi was a champion of the independent india. In Gandhi's lifetime he spent 6 and a half months in Jail, but what Gandhi was most famous for was peace and freedom. I think Gandhi is an icon for global peace and freedom.
March 11, 2020
¿Cómo no amar a Gandhi? Es cuático leer libros como estos y darnos cuenta del clasismo, racismo y esclavitud que regían la vida de miles de personas en países como Sudáfrica o India. Y a la vez compararlos con lo problemas actuales y que a pesar de haber avanzado mucho en algunas materias, falta tanto en otras. Sin duda una persona de la cual aprender.
Ahora bien, algo que no se comenta comunmente sobre este hombre son algunas cosas oscuras. Atentos a la reseña👀
Ahora bien, algo que no se comenta comunmente sobre este hombre son algunas cosas oscuras. Atentos a la reseña👀
August 27, 2021
I love this series. It's brief and easy to understand. We learned a lot about Gandhi, apartheid, civil disobedience, etc...
December 11, 2018
This is like the book who was Martin Luther king Jr. because both are fighting for freedom in racism. I wish I would be able to see him in real life. Something I would wish is that he would still be alive. I rate this book 5/5 because I agree would do the same like Gandhi.
September 22, 2015
Gandhi is a good book for people who believe in there rights .Gandhi was a man who fought for his life to get his rights.Gandhi took a first class train to the united kingdom to be a loyer .Then people were complaining about him being on a first class and then they kick him out of the train.When gandhi came back to see his family in india , there was a sad news that gandhi's mom died at look at gandhi now he change the world, because of martin lurther king and gandhi ,the world would still be in recesmem
April 14, 2020
Gandhi is SUCH an interesting figure.
-He left to another CONTINENT [Europe--England]--during his college years to become a lawyer.
-He was told he would be kicked out of the Modh Bania [Vanya] caste [merchant] and become an Untouchable [In 1950, Untouchables were given equal rights under law. The term "dalit" refers to those once called "Untouchables."] (23) since this was against his caste's rules. This didn't stop him. When he went BACK to India, he bathed in the Godavari River to wash away the sins of England [recommended by his brother]. (27)
-He ALSO went to Africa [South Africa] about 5 years later [by this time, BOTH his parents had died, he was married, AND was a father].
-He faced discrimination a BUNCH! (i.e. kicked off a train for being Indian)
-In South Africa, Gandhi developed his philosophy of life. He called it "satyagraha"--from the words "satya" (truth) and "agraha" (force). "Truth force" became the weapon he used against the unfair treatment of the Indian population [It ended up being used by MLK Jr.]. "Satyagraha" included ideas about noncooperation, nonviolence, and nonpossession. (42)
-Noncooperation, or civil disobedience, means nonviolent ways of breaking a law, if the law is unfair.
-Nonviolence means doing no harm and loving others instead of fighting them.
-Nonpossession means living a simple life with very few possessions, and using only what one needs, never more.
Growing up, based on this book, it seemed he was raised Hindu, but coming across these beliefs makes me think he COULD have been Jain. I still am not sure.
Apartheid means separateness
Rabindranath Tagore, a famous poet of the time, called Gandhi "Mahatma," which means "Great Soul."
I didn't realize Gandhi was involved in SO many instances of fighting injustice. But he influenced SO many leaders because of his threats to "starve himself." When opponents heard of him doing this for days and weeks at a time, it brought political pressure on them and they often caved to Gandhi's demands. This seems to relate to the Jain term "sallekhana," which makes me wonder if he was Jain. Or, if he just liked the idea and adopted it for himself.
Another thing I realized from reading this book is how many people died as a result of what he was doing. I also didn't remember he was killed by a Hindu extremist [Nathuram Godse] who bowed in front of him and then shot him 3 times. In the end, it was the conflict of Muslims and Hindus along the Pakistan/India border that led to the end of his life. This makes me think of my Ethics Professor, Glen Stassen and his book "Just Peacemaking: The New Paradigm for the Ethics of Peace and War," which has 10 initiatives that can bring it about:
1. Support nonviolent direct action
2. Take independent initiatives to reduce threat
3. Use cooperative conflict resolution
4. Acknowledge responsibility for conflict and injustice and seek repentance and forgiveness
5. Advanced democracy, human rights, and religious liberty
6. Foster just and sustainable economic development
7. Work with emerging cooperative forces in the international system
8. Strengthen the United Nations and international efforts for cooperation and human rights
9. Reduce offensive weapons and weapons trade
10. Encourage grassroots peacemaking groups and voluntary associations
That being said, it's SO DIFFICULT being a leader, and no decision ends up being a decision. So, things NEED to be done. I just didn't realize how much violence was happening from Pakistan becoming a new country in 1947. Can't help but think of North & South Korea, along with the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, etc.
What I would like to read more about is regarding Gandhi's quote, “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”
-He left to another CONTINENT [Europe--England]--during his college years to become a lawyer.
-He was told he would be kicked out of the Modh Bania [Vanya] caste [merchant] and become an Untouchable [In 1950, Untouchables were given equal rights under law. The term "dalit" refers to those once called "Untouchables."] (23) since this was against his caste's rules. This didn't stop him. When he went BACK to India, he bathed in the Godavari River to wash away the sins of England [recommended by his brother]. (27)
-He ALSO went to Africa [South Africa] about 5 years later [by this time, BOTH his parents had died, he was married, AND was a father].
-He faced discrimination a BUNCH! (i.e. kicked off a train for being Indian)
-In South Africa, Gandhi developed his philosophy of life. He called it "satyagraha"--from the words "satya" (truth) and "agraha" (force). "Truth force" became the weapon he used against the unfair treatment of the Indian population [It ended up being used by MLK Jr.]. "Satyagraha" included ideas about noncooperation, nonviolence, and nonpossession. (42)
-Noncooperation, or civil disobedience, means nonviolent ways of breaking a law, if the law is unfair.
-Nonviolence means doing no harm and loving others instead of fighting them.
-Nonpossession means living a simple life with very few possessions, and using only what one needs, never more.
Growing up, based on this book, it seemed he was raised Hindu, but coming across these beliefs makes me think he COULD have been Jain. I still am not sure.
Apartheid means separateness
Rabindranath Tagore, a famous poet of the time, called Gandhi "Mahatma," which means "Great Soul."
I didn't realize Gandhi was involved in SO many instances of fighting injustice. But he influenced SO many leaders because of his threats to "starve himself." When opponents heard of him doing this for days and weeks at a time, it brought political pressure on them and they often caved to Gandhi's demands. This seems to relate to the Jain term "sallekhana," which makes me wonder if he was Jain. Or, if he just liked the idea and adopted it for himself.
Another thing I realized from reading this book is how many people died as a result of what he was doing. I also didn't remember he was killed by a Hindu extremist [Nathuram Godse] who bowed in front of him and then shot him 3 times. In the end, it was the conflict of Muslims and Hindus along the Pakistan/India border that led to the end of his life. This makes me think of my Ethics Professor, Glen Stassen and his book "Just Peacemaking: The New Paradigm for the Ethics of Peace and War," which has 10 initiatives that can bring it about:
1. Support nonviolent direct action
2. Take independent initiatives to reduce threat
3. Use cooperative conflict resolution
4. Acknowledge responsibility for conflict and injustice and seek repentance and forgiveness
5. Advanced democracy, human rights, and religious liberty
6. Foster just and sustainable economic development
7. Work with emerging cooperative forces in the international system
8. Strengthen the United Nations and international efforts for cooperation and human rights
9. Reduce offensive weapons and weapons trade
10. Encourage grassroots peacemaking groups and voluntary associations
That being said, it's SO DIFFICULT being a leader, and no decision ends up being a decision. So, things NEED to be done. I just didn't realize how much violence was happening from Pakistan becoming a new country in 1947. Can't help but think of North & South Korea, along with the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, etc.
What I would like to read more about is regarding Gandhi's quote, “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”
February 2, 2025
Es un libro de fácil lectura y muy corto, sólo de aproximandamente 114 y está lleno de bellas ilustraciones de la vida de Gandhi, Inglaterra, Jawaharlal Nehru que era el mayor aliado político de Gandhi, mapas de La India, Pakistán Occidental, Pakistán Oriental, Sri Lanka, Nepal, China, el Mar Arábigo y la Bahía de Bengala. También tiene varias ilustraciones de la esposa de Ghandi, llamada Kasturba, miembro de su misma casta, hija de un comerciante de Porbandar y esposa de Ghandi desde que ambos tenían 13 años de edad. Lamentablemente Kasturba falleció mientras Ghandi estaba en la cárcel y en sus brazos el 22 de febrero de 1944, ambos habían estado casados durante más de 70 años. Este libro también cuenta con ilustraciones de Vallabhbhai Patel, quien fue el primer viceprimer ministro de La India.
La autora del libro se basó en 6 libros y artículos para escribirlo, uno de los que más me llamó la atención es la autobiografía de Gandhi, la cual fue publicada por primera vez en 1927 y 1929, en 2 volúmenes y en el año 1940 fueron unificadas o ambas versiones anteriores recopiladas en un sólo libro. También la Universidad de Yale publicó un libro sobre Ghandi en el año 1989 de nombre Gandhi: Prisionero de esperanza.
Gandhi y su familia profesaban el hinduismo de corriente visnuita y adoraban al Dios Visnu, siempre intento ser vegetariano, aunque le costaba un poco en Inglaterra, pero resolvió su problema uniéndose a la Sociedad Vegetariana de Londres.
Gandhi practicaba el ayuno a manera de negociación y protesta, era un fiel creyente en las revoluciones pasivas y siempre recomendaba acciones a su parecer justas para evitar que Inglaterra siguiera abusando de los hindues, aunque no todo siempre resultaba como quería , porque siempre ocurrían actos violentos y vandálicos. Incluso se dice que lamentablemente Gandhi falleció a manos del extremista hindú Nathuram Godse mientras se subía a un estrado.
Una lección muy valiosa que todos podemos aprender de la vida de Gandhi es que fue un fiel ejemplo de que la verdad y el amor son una de las fuerzas más poderosas para el cambio.
En la época de Gandhi, y talvez en la actual, los hindues no sólo tenían problemas con los ingleses, sino que también con los musulmanes, quienes representaban 1/4 de la población, por lo que luego de que La India obtuviese su independencia el 15 de agosto de 1947, los hindues y los musulmanes siguieron teniendo problemas político-religiosos, por lo que se creo el país de Pakistán y miles de personas se dividieron geográficamente simplemente por su ideología religiosa.
La autora del libro se basó en 6 libros y artículos para escribirlo, uno de los que más me llamó la atención es la autobiografía de Gandhi, la cual fue publicada por primera vez en 1927 y 1929, en 2 volúmenes y en el año 1940 fueron unificadas o ambas versiones anteriores recopiladas en un sólo libro. También la Universidad de Yale publicó un libro sobre Ghandi en el año 1989 de nombre Gandhi: Prisionero de esperanza.
Gandhi y su familia profesaban el hinduismo de corriente visnuita y adoraban al Dios Visnu, siempre intento ser vegetariano, aunque le costaba un poco en Inglaterra, pero resolvió su problema uniéndose a la Sociedad Vegetariana de Londres.
Gandhi practicaba el ayuno a manera de negociación y protesta, era un fiel creyente en las revoluciones pasivas y siempre recomendaba acciones a su parecer justas para evitar que Inglaterra siguiera abusando de los hindues, aunque no todo siempre resultaba como quería , porque siempre ocurrían actos violentos y vandálicos. Incluso se dice que lamentablemente Gandhi falleció a manos del extremista hindú Nathuram Godse mientras se subía a un estrado.
Una lección muy valiosa que todos podemos aprender de la vida de Gandhi es que fue un fiel ejemplo de que la verdad y el amor son una de las fuerzas más poderosas para el cambio.
En la época de Gandhi, y talvez en la actual, los hindues no sólo tenían problemas con los ingleses, sino que también con los musulmanes, quienes representaban 1/4 de la población, por lo que luego de que La India obtuviese su independencia el 15 de agosto de 1947, los hindues y los musulmanes siguieron teniendo problemas político-religiosos, por lo que se creo el país de Pakistán y miles de personas se dividieron geográficamente simplemente por su ideología religiosa.
May 2, 2019
Gandhi is a boy who got married at age thirteen. He was the champion of independent India. He was icon of peace and freedom. He was also a shy boy. When Gandhi was a kid he lived nicely. He grew up with his mother father two half sisters a brother a sister and on other brother. Gandhi was the youngest. The large family had a good time living in a three story house with a few servants. Gandhi’s family was Hindu. His mother was especially in to it she prayed a lot and every day she went to the temple for worship. When Gandhi turned seven the family moved to a more island city in Rajkot. At school Gandhi was extremely shy and ran home each day. He did not want other students making fun of him. Then his parents decided it was time to marry when Gandhi was only thirteen. However he said that there were no point of marrying this early. At his wedding however he enjoyed himself. It was fun. It was full of many guests colourful parades and big celebrations! This however interrupted his studying at school he had to take a full year off before he returned to school. Soon Gandhi met a friend that wanted to convince him to eat meat Gandhi didn’t want to because he was a vegetarian but he did it anyway. He ate meat a lot of time until he finally realized his friend and meat were not good for him. This was already to much for Gandhi to handle. Getting married at age thirteen interrupting his studies and taking a year off school eating meat making unsupportive friends. What can Gandhi do? Find out in Who Was Gandhi!!!
October 15, 2019
This book is about Gandhi's life and how he saved India from British rule and use a non-violent protest. When he was a boy he family was very wealthy because he father was a lawyer and made good money. He was set up for and engagement when he was 9 and got married at 13. Then when his first child came along the baby died and few days later. So when Gandhi got older he was to England to studied to be a lawyer it was very different there for him because his family was vegetarian but he could not find a vegetarian place to eat. Then he start a protest to pass many acts so India would have freedom to rule its self. Toward the end of his many protest he would not eat or even drink water so he became weaker and weaker and then at his last speech he was very weak he had to prop him self up on two of his followers. Then when he was done someone came to bow to him then when the person stood he had shot Gandhi in the chest and he died.
The book was my informational text pick. I was recommend this book to anyone who likes to read biography's about people who change the world forever. I like this book because Gandhi din;t use violence for him protest. He also tried hard to help India at the time. Some of the things he accomplished in his many protest were passing the salt act and uniting the Muslims and the Jews and saving India from British rule. This book is great and I highly recommend it.
The book was my informational text pick. I was recommend this book to anyone who likes to read biography's about people who change the world forever. I like this book because Gandhi din;t use violence for him protest. He also tried hard to help India at the time. Some of the things he accomplished in his many protest were passing the salt act and uniting the Muslims and the Jews and saving India from British rule. This book is great and I highly recommend it.
May 10, 2021
¿Quién fue Gandhi? Fue un líder social que impacto al mundo con su pensamiento pacifista, con la marcha de la sal, Gandhi logro unir al pueblo indio e iniciar el camino hacia la liberación del gobierno británico. El valor de su lucha está en que no tuvo que utilizar las armas, sino las palabras y sus actos fueron más poderosos que cualquier armamento bélico. El mensaje que transmitió fue sencillo: encontrar la verdad a través del amor y el cuidado de los demás.
Es una biografía ilustrada escrita por Dana Meachen Rau, es realmente esplendida, en ella se describe y explica de una manera comprensible, entretenida y sencilla la vida de ese ser extraordinario que dejo huellas positivas en la historia de la humanidad. Dentro de este universo narrativo somos testigos de los hechos más importantes que rodearon la vida de este líder mundial de la paz, conocemos un poco sobre su matrimonio que se llevó a cabo cuando tenía 13 años y su mujer igual de joven, de su paso por Sudáfrica, sus últimos días en la India, dedicó su existencia a luchar por los derechos y la independencia de su pueblo. Es una lectura rápida, que te engancha desde las primeras palabras.
Es una biografía ilustrada escrita por Dana Meachen Rau, es realmente esplendida, en ella se describe y explica de una manera comprensible, entretenida y sencilla la vida de ese ser extraordinario que dejo huellas positivas en la historia de la humanidad. Dentro de este universo narrativo somos testigos de los hechos más importantes que rodearon la vida de este líder mundial de la paz, conocemos un poco sobre su matrimonio que se llevó a cabo cuando tenía 13 años y su mujer igual de joven, de su paso por Sudáfrica, sus últimos días en la India, dedicó su existencia a luchar por los derechos y la independencia de su pueblo. Es una lectura rápida, que te engancha desde las primeras palabras.
May 17, 2017
Who was Gandhi by Dana Meachen Rau was not like all of the other who was books. It had more of a storyline v.s. fact after fact after fact. It was less choppy. Maybe it was just because Gandhi was so interesting. In the book it talks about Gandhi's protests against the unfair rule of the british. He wanted india to be under it's own rule and he always wanted the right thing
I found it amazing how he would ALWAYS stand up for the right thing no matter what. His concience was better than anyone elses ever and he was just an overall good person. I also found it fascinating that he was so shy in the begining because he eventualy grew up to be a very bold person. For those reasons I loved reading this book.
I would recomend this book to anyone who likes to learn about culture especially from other places. The reason I would do this is bacause is because it mentions a lot about the caste system and indian culture. I loved this book and wouldn't change anything.
I found it amazing how he would ALWAYS stand up for the right thing no matter what. His concience was better than anyone elses ever and he was just an overall good person. I also found it fascinating that he was so shy in the begining because he eventualy grew up to be a very bold person. For those reasons I loved reading this book.
I would recomend this book to anyone who likes to learn about culture especially from other places. The reason I would do this is bacause is because it mentions a lot about the caste system and indian culture. I loved this book and wouldn't change anything.
September 21, 2024
Este libro corto, acompañado de imágenes ilustrativas, relata la vida y la lucha de Mahatma Gandhi contra la injusticia y el racismo. En él, se narra brevemente su vida y su lucha por la independencia de la India, que en ese momento era una colonia británica. Las leyes impuestas por los británicos subyugaban los derechos de la población, llegando incluso a prohibir la cosecha de sal para consumo propio o venta. Gandhi, mediante ideas pacífistas, logró unir a toda una comunidad en busca de justicia. Su devoción por un futuro igual para todos lo llevó a estar preso en más de una ocasión. Su vida fue verdaderamente increíble. Un libro muy recomendable para conocer la vida de grandes personas que lucharon por sus ideales. Es una pena que este libro no esté traducido al español, ya que su mensaje sigue siendo relevante hoy en día."
November 6, 2024
This book is a biography of Gandhi. I liked this book because it had a lot of information, however, the information was presented in an accessible and non-intimidating way. I like how the text was broken up with pictures, making it easier to read. The illustrations also better helped me understand what was going on throughout Gandhi's life and helped me visualize important events. I think this book, and this series, would be great to have in my classroom library since kids love to read about people and learn more about key historical figures. This book specifically could be used with social studies instruction and would be great to work on graphic organizers like timelines. I think this would be a good small-group read to discuss why Gandhi did what he did and make text-to-self and text-to-world connections.
July 11, 2019
Fascinating that something as simple as strength in numbers and making your own salt and thread/cloth (by spinning) can unite a country.
Unfortunately it wasn't enough, the Poms were a truly sick cruel 'race' of fuckwits. One-hundred percent. They make the theocratic Saudis and Iranians look mild.
All the shit they went through wasn't enough for the Indians/Hindus, in fact the Poms just made it worse. The huge drain on resources from World War II was the catalyst that really gained India its independence on August 15, 1947. The UK just had to give it up out of necessity rather than compassion and sanity.
Now I wonder how Hong Kong happened in 1999?
Fuck I can't stand the poms. They're the worst.
Unfortunately it wasn't enough, the Poms were a truly sick cruel 'race' of fuckwits. One-hundred percent. They make the theocratic Saudis and Iranians look mild.
All the shit they went through wasn't enough for the Indians/Hindus, in fact the Poms just made it worse. The huge drain on resources from World War II was the catalyst that really gained India its independence on August 15, 1947. The UK just had to give it up out of necessity rather than compassion and sanity.
Now I wonder how Hong Kong happened in 1999?
Fuck I can't stand the poms. They're the worst.
October 18, 2019
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born in 1869 in British-involved India. In spite of the fact that he contemplated law in London and spent his initial adulthood in South Africa, he stayed dedicated to his country and spent the later piece of his life attempting to make India an autonomous country. Calling for peaceful common insubordination, Gandhi drove India to autonomy and roused developments for social equality around the globe. Gandhi is perceived universally as an image of expectation, harmony, and opportunity.
As I said before, I really like this series because of how there written and how the have all the visuals and fun facts. This because I liked because when I first started this book I knew Gandhi was a leader who help India separate from bottom but I didn’t know how and that’s what this book really talked about. Also this book has good cultural facts so you learn a little about customs and Hinduism and more.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes learning knew things about people or wants to know more about them.
As I said before, I really like this series because of how there written and how the have all the visuals and fun facts. This because I liked because when I first started this book I knew Gandhi was a leader who help India separate from bottom but I didn’t know how and that’s what this book really talked about. Also this book has good cultural facts so you learn a little about customs and Hinduism and more.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes learning knew things about people or wants to know more about them.
September 9, 2023
Having read a book recently entitled Daughters of Partition I was deeply affected by the traumatic story that was told and realised how little I know of what thousands of people went through during Partition. I thought it only right I learn more about it so have undertaken a course which is as horrifying as it is informative. Gandhi is a very well known figure but my studies have shown me my knowledge even of this man, is limited. So whilst studying I am doing some extra reading to help flesh out these stories of which I thought I knew,
This little book gives a concise outline of his life and all he achieved. It is a helpful study aid, simple to read and although there are many more detailed books about him around this gives key dates and facts so is great.
This little book gives a concise outline of his life and all he achieved. It is a helpful study aid, simple to read and although there are many more detailed books about him around this gives key dates and facts so is great.
August 7, 2019
I really do like these Who Was books, you can learn a lot about famous people, places and events without delving into their complete personal history as some books tend to over do. Mohandas Karmchabd Gandhi was born into a large family in India. He learned as much as he could in India but eventually traveled to England to study law. He was a very shy person when he headed to England, but would eventually become one of the most famous people of his generation and be known worldwide for his convictions. This book shows the progression of his life and how he became known for his beliefs.
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