DAMODARAM SANJIVAYYA NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY

VISAKHAPATNAM, A.P., INDIA

EXPERIENCE FROM TRAJEDY

ENGLISH

MISS. PHANI POOJAN

NIKHIL JAIN
2015078 I semester
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I have made my project titled “MY EXPRIMENTS WITH TURTH” under the supervision of prof.
Phani Pooja. N faculty Lecturer, Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University. I find no
words to express my sense of gratitude for Phani Pooja. N for providing the necessary guidance
at every step during the completion of this project.
I am also grateful to the office, librarian and library staff of DSNLU, Visakhapatnam for
allowing me to use their library whenever I needed to. Further I am grateful to my learned
teachers for their academic patronage and persistent encouragement extended to me.  I am once
again highly indebted to the office and Library Staff of DSNLU for the support and cooperation
extended by them from time to time. I cannot conclude with recording my thanks to my friends
for the assistance received from them in the preparation of this project.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 S. no. CONTENTS Pg no.
` FAMILY BACKGROUND
HIS CHILDHOOD
ABOARED EDUCATION
RELIGIOUS VIEWS
VISIT TO SOUTH AFRICA

CHANGES IN HIS LIFE

PARTICIPATION IN POLITICS
MY EXPERIENCES

(1) Family background:

 Gandhiji belongs to the bania caste and seems to be grocers. His grandfather
was the Prime minister in Kathiawad states. His grandfather Uttamchand Gandhi was a man of
principle. He was diwan in Porbandar, after seek to refuge in Jaunagadh. Ota Gandhi
(Uttamchand Gandhi) was marrying two times. When his first wife died then he marry second
times. From first wife he had four sons and from second wife he had two sons.

The fifth of this sons was karamchand Gandhi who was the father of Mahatma Gandhi. His
father was also known as Kaba Gandhi. The youngest brother of Gandhiji father’s was Tulsidas
Gandhi. Both these brother was the prime minister of Porbandar one after the other. His father
was a member of Rajasthan Court. Where he solved the dispute between the Chiefs and fellow
clansmen. Kaba Gandhi was the prime minister of Rajkot and Vankaner. When he died he was a
pensioner of Rajkot state.

Gandhi’s father marry four times in succession after died of his wife. Gandhi father (Kaba
Gandhi) has two daughter from his first two wife. His last wife name is Putlibai. From last wife
he has one daughter and three sons. Mahatma Gandhi was the youngest sons of Kaba Gandhi.

Kaba Gandhi has no desire of making money and make rich. He lived simple life. He
had left little property for his children.

His childhood:

Gandhi born in Porbandar, Gujarat on 2nd oct , 1869. He got his primary
education at porbander.at the age of 12 th, he was in the high school, he was a only mediocre
students. he did not like to talk any student of his class because he thinks that anyone should
poke fun at me. His books and his lesson were his best friend or sole companion. When he was at
first year of high school, a paper was done in his school. In the paper five words given to write as
a spelling exercise. In this paper, a word was given to him was ‘kettle’ which he write wrongly
but his teacher tried to show me that word is wrong, he allowing me to copy this word from my
neighbor student. This word is correct of all the student except me. He was allowing all students
to copy from other. But I was not doing cheating. The result of it was the word was correct all
the student. At that time he don’t know the art of copying.

At that time marriage were two types: - first was Betrothal and second was marriage. Betrothal
means a promise on the parts of boy and girl parents to join them in marriage. It is not inviolable.
The death of boy entail no widowhood on the girl.

Gandhiji was betrothal three times. First two girls were died. His elder brother are already
married. Finally he was married to Kasturba. Gandhi married when he was at high school.
Kasturbai was illiterate. She was simple, independent and persevering by nature. When he was
at high school, his school head master makes cricket and gymnastic compulsory for upper class,
he was not like it. His dream was going England and after England, he wanted to go South
Africa. His desire was to get the degree of lawyer. When he saw the handwriting of lawyers, his
handwriting was not good. He thinks about bad hand writing that this was a sign of imperfect
man.

His friend encourage him for eating meat. His friend said that anyone who eat meat were strong.
He give me example of English man .then, I was thinking that if I was starting eat meat, I was
strong. I was also thinking that my countrymen also started eating meat so we remove English
men from our country and we were free. One reason behind for not eating meat was that If he
was start eating meat and this news was known his parents, they were very shocked, they may be
died and another reason behind this was that Gandhiji was born and bred in such type of situation
where no one eat meat. He lived in Gujarat where jains and vaishnavas were strong and its
influence were felt everywhere and in all occasion. Gandhiji also a vaishnavas. His elder
brother already started meat then Gandhiji looked his brother’s body and his friend body who
looked physical stronger. Gandhiji had a fear of ghost, thieves and serpent and in the night he
never go outside in the dark and in night, he always put on light because he thinks that from one
side ghosts were coming and from another side thieves were coming. It was impossible for
Gandhiji to get out from this fear. His friend knew the weakness of Gandhiji and told him that
looked at me , I am eating meat and we had never fear of ghost and thieves. So, Gandhi tried eat
meat something and decided that he never tell this thing to his parents. One day, Gandhiji and his
friend went on searching a lonely spot near the river for eating meat. He saw meat in his life first
time. He never realized before that goat meat was as tough as leather. He was not easily to eat.
After eating meat, Gandhiji was sick and leave off eating. Gandhiji had a very bad night
afterward. When he was going to sleep, he think that a goat was bleating inside me and Gandhiji
remorse about that. But after Gandhiji would remind myself that meat eating was a duty and so
become more cheerful. His friends made many delicious dishes from meat and served him for
eating. His friend also arranged the state hall with the chief cook there for making meat. But
Gandhiji was not effort every day eating meat in the state hall. After he finds that his friend’s
want to turn into a meat eater. When Gandhiji ate meat in the dinner and he was no able to eat
dinner in his home. When his mother would naturally ask me to come and take my food and
want to know the reason why I did not wish to eat. Then Gandhiji told that something wrong
with his digestion. Gandhiji knew that he was told lying to his mother and he also knew that his
parents knew that his son was a meat-eater, they would be deeply shocked. Then Gandhi decided
that he never eat meat in future and his parents never know that his two sons were a meat-eater.

One day, Gandhiji friend’s send him into a brothel and paid the bills and give instruction what
will be do inside the room. When Gandhiji enters into the brothel house and sat near to the
woman on her bed but feel very bad about come that place. After some time that lady lost his
patience and showed me the door with abuses and insults. There were some incident also
happens with Gandhiji but Gandhiji was saved bay his good fortune.

After Gandhiji eyes were open towards his friends company. At that time, his differences with
his wife also increase because of his friend. Gandhiji was a devoted and a jealous husband and
his friend know this things and his friend give the flame to Gandhiji on suspicious to his wife.
Gandhiji suspicious the veracity of his wife. Gandhiji felt guilty for the pain which given by
Gandhiji to his wife on his wrong information given by his friend. At that time, if master does
not behave good with his servant then servant may be throw up his job and a son in the same
case may leave his father’s house and a friend may put an end to the friendship. But if wife has
suspect on her husband, will keep quite. But if husband suspects his wife, she is ruined. At that
time, a Hindu wife may not seek divorce in a law-court, there is no remedy for women for
divorce. His suspicion was ended when Gandhiji understood the real meaning of ahimsa. Then
Gandhiji understood the brahmacharya. Then Gandhiji realized that wife is not a husband’s bond
slave. After understood the meaning of Ahimsa and Brahmacharya then he realized that wife is a
companion and a helpmate and an equal partner in all joys and sorrow and wife also free to
choose their path.

When Gandhiji eating meat, he have also some bad habit like smoking etc. his uncle was fond
of smoking cigarette and he copied this thing. When his uncle thrown cigarettes pilfering stumps
then Gandhiji take this and do smoking. Sometimes this left cigarettes were not available. Then
Gandhiji steal the copper from servant pocket money. His elders not allowed to smoke so he
steal the copper many times. When he heard that a smoke plant was setup and thing from that
that plant like a smoke. Gandhiji started this types of smoking. Gandhiji was not satisfy with his
independence and decided for suicide. Gandhiji went into the jungle for finding the seeds of
dhatura (a poisonous fruit) and after finding the seed and he went to the mandir and find a lonely
corner in the temple and sat on that place. After putting two three seeds of dhatura in his mouth
and he dismiss the thought of suicide. After dismiss the thought of suicide and then he also leave
the smoking. When he was at the age of fifteen, he stole a gold from his meat eating brother’s
pocket. For this, he brother went into the debt of twenty five rupees. But after, his brother cleared
his debt. After he decide to confess toward in front of his father. He was not able to speak whole
thing in front of his father. So, he wrote a letter to his father in the letter he confessed his whole
mistake and wants punishment for his crime and also pledged that he never do this thing again in
future and when his father read the letter, tears come out from his father.

When Gandhiji was at the age of sixteenth year, his father was bed-ridden, suffering from a
fistula (an abnormal or surgically made passage between a hollow or tubular organ and the body
surface, or between two hollow or tubular organs). His mother was an old servant of the house
and he was the principal attendant. He had the duties of a nurse which mainly consisted in
dressing the wound, giving medicines to his father and compounding the drugs whenever they
had to be made up at home. He divided his time between the school and attended his father.
Gandhiji does not like gymnastic and this a subject in the school where he studied. He told his
principal that he did not like gymnastic and please allow him not do gymnastic and so he would
serve his father more. His principal not listen anything and one day Gandhiji was late to reach on
the ground and all the students were leaving the ground and next day his principal found absent
him on yesterday and asked Gandhiji why he did not come yesterday. Gandhiji going evening
walk only when his father allows him and his father feeling well. At the same time my father was
getting worse every day. Ayurvedic physicians had tried all their ointments, hakims their plasters
and local quacks their nostrums. An English surgeon had also used his skill. Surgeon
recommended the operation but his family physicians came in the way and disapproved of
operation. The physician was competent and well known and his advice prevailed. The operation
was abandoned and various medicine purchased for the purpose were no account. His father as
getting weaker and weaker, until at last he had to be asked to perform the necessary functions in
bed. One day his uncle was in the Rajkot and sat on the side of his father bed and sent all the
people for sleeping. In the night, his servant came and tell that his father was very ill.

Aboard education: - Gandhiji passed the matriculation examination in 1887. His examination
was held at to centers, Ahmedabad and Bombay. Let the Kathiawad students to prefer the nearer
and the cheaper Centre. This is the first time when Gandhiji went from Rajkot to Ahmedabad.
His elders wanted that he pursue studied at college after the matriculation. Gandhiji joined the
Samaldas College. He found very difficult here.

Mavji Dave who was a shrewd and learned Brahman and an old friend and adviser of his father.
Mavji Dave also visited his house after the death of his father. He happened to visit us during my
vacation. He told his mother and elder brother that time was changed and none of you expect to
succeed to his father gadi. It will take B.A degree in four to five year for the post of gadi and not
the post of diwanship. My son kevalram says that it is very easy to become a barrister. Mavji
Deva would strongly advise for send Mohandas to England this very year.

His mother was against to send him England. But his brother said that go to Porbandar and met
Mr. Lely who is the administrator. When he met with his uncle Mr. Lely and then Lely said that
any one go England for studied, he decline his religious and always smoke and keep away from
his cultural. At last, Mr. Lely said he has a no problem to send him in England but first you take
the permission from his mother. When he return back to Rajkot from Porbandar and told the all
story to his brother. He was also ready to sell his wife ornament and his elder brother treated him
as a own son and promised that he managed money somehow. Someone tell his mother that
young men got lost in England. Someone else had said that they took to meat; and yet another
that they could not live there without liquor. His mother asked Becharji Swami who was
originally a Modh Bania but had now become a Jain monk. He was too family adviser like
Joshiji. He came to help Gandhiji and said that ‘I shall get the boy solemnly to take the three vos,
and then he can be allowed to go’. Gandhiji administered the oath that he cannot touch wine,
woman and meat. After taking the oath, his mother allowed.

With the permission of his mother, he was ready to go for Bombay and leaving his wife with a
baby of several months. But on arrival there, friends of his brother told to my brother that the
Indian Ocean was rough in June and July and this as the first voyage and his brother not allowed
to sail until November. At last Gandhiji reached the England. But Gandhiji felt shy in speaking
English. Gandhiji had on the saloon, only Sjt. Mazmudar and all the other people on saloon were
English. When anyone came to Gandhiji and talked and Gandhiji show that he as understand but
he was not reply anyone. When he reached Southampton and he had made four notes of
introduction: to Dr. P J. Mehta, to Sjt.Dalpatram Shukla, to Prince Ranjitsinhji and to Dadabhai
Naroji. Someone on board had advised us to put up at the Victoria Hotel in London. At the
evening, Dr. Mehta gave me a hearty greeting. And when he was talking and he casually picked
up his top-hat, and rymg to see how smooth it. And Mr. Mehta looked very angrily to Gandhiji.
Then Gandhiji learned his first lesson in England that Mr. Mehta said that do not touch other’s
people’s thing and do not ask questions as we usually do in India on first acquaintances; do not
talk loudly; never address anyone as ‘sir’ because here servant called his masters as ‘sir’.

In England, Gandhiji missed his mother’s love and home memories was made him unable to
sleep. It was impossible for Gandhiji to share his memories to anyone.

In England, vegetarian food is not available and this was a difficulty for landlady to make
vegetarian food. In the breakfast, Gandhiji eat some salad and in the lunch and dinner Gandhiji
take spinach and to slice of bread. His friend offered meat for eating but he remember his vow.
His friend said that a woman was not literate and does not the condition of England and hat is the
important to follow the vow. Gandhiji takes his cloth from Bombay but this is not suitable for
English society. So, Gandhiji bought clothes in England and spend money in waste. Gandhiji
wastes his ten minutes in the front of mirror for watching himself and arranging his tie and
parting the hair. Gandhiji tried his best to make himself as a part of English society. Gandhiji
changes his room according to the place of his business to save fares. Gandhiji also started
leaning language like French and Latin for the bar examination. Gandhiji was fully settled in
English society. He changed himself according to the situation.
Religious views: - when Gandhiji was the age of six to age of seventeenth, when he studied in
the school. In school all the subjects were taught except religion. Gandhiji often to go the haveli.
But what I failed to get there, I obtained from the nurse, an old servant of the family whose
names was Rambha. When Gandhiji told that he feared of ghosts and spirit. She suggested a
book Ramayana for curing the fear of Gandhiji. Gandhiji also started the Ramayana for curing
his fear. His cousin was devotee of the Ramayana and his cousin arranged the Ramayana for
Gandhi. When Gandhiji was in the second year in England, two theosophist brothers both are
unmarried. They came and talk with Gandhiji about Gita. They were reading Sir Edwin Arnold’s
translation-the song celestial. Gandhiji felt ashamed because he never read the divine poem
neither in Sanskrit nor in Marathi. The verses of second chapter of Gita made great impression
on Gandhiji. At the same time, Gandhiji met a Christian from Manchester in a vegetarian
boarding house. He talked with Gandhiji about Christianity. Gandhiji narrated him his Rajkot
collection and he was pained to hear them. Then he said,’ I am a vegetarian and I do not drink’.
He said that many Christian were meat eater and drinker but this is never mention in his scripture
and he offered to buy a copy of Bible from him. Gandhiji bought a copy of Bible from him and
compared the Gita and Bible.

Gandhiji was born in Gujarat in which jains and vaishnavas were strong in follow religious rites.
Gandhiji was also a vaishnavas.

Visit to South Africa: - Gandhiji wants to learn something of the pretty politics of the country.
Kathiawad was a small state. Pretty intrigues between states, and intrigues of officers for power
were the order of the day. Gandhiji and his brother both wanted free from this atmosphere of
intrigue. But without intrigue a minister ship or judgeship was out of the question. And the
quarrel with the sahib stood in the way of my practices. In the meantime a Meman firm from
Porbandar wrote to my brother making the offer that we have business in South Africa. Ours is a
big firm and we have a big case there in the court. Our claim being 40,000 euro. It has been
going for a long time. If you sent your brother there, this is useful to us and himself.

Then his brother discussed the proposition with me. Gandhiji was tempted. After it his brother
introduced him to late Sheth Abdul Karim Jhaveri, a partner of Dada Abdulla & Co., the firm in
question. Sheth assured him that this is not a difficult job and said that we have big Europeans as
friends, whose acquaintance you will make. You can be useful to us in our shop. Sheth told him
that service was not more than a year and pay the first class return fare and the sum of 105 euros,
all found. Gandhiji wants to leave Rajkot and this is a great opportunity. Gandhiji gave the
amount to his brother for help in expenses of household work and leave the Rajkot and went to
Bombay.

Gandhiji went to South Africa for try his luck. The first port of call was Lamu which Gandhiji
reached in about thirteen days. The captain of the ships was good friend of Gandhiji by this time.
The captain was very fond of playing chess and he offered to Gandhiji to play with him. Gandhiji
was not known to play this game. Gandhiji was only heard about this game that this game was an
exercise of one’s intelligence. At Lamu’ the ship remained at anchor for some three to four
hours’ and Gandhiji was landed on the port and captain instruct Gandhiji that he should come in
time. Gandhiji was late but captain wait for Gandhiji for five minutes and then Gandhiji came he
ordered to start the ship. This showed that Gandhiji and captain was good friend. After Lamu the
next port was Mombasa and then Zanzibar.

The port of Natal is Durban and also known as Port Natal. Abdulla Sheth was there on the port
for receiving Gandhiji. Abdulla Sheth taken Gandhiji to the firm quarters and shown the room set
apart his room. The style of Gandhiji looked very expensive like Europeans. After three days of
arriving of Gandhiji, Abdulla Sheth took Gandhi to see the Durban court. Here he introduced
Gandhiji with several people and seated him to the next of attorney. The magistrate kept staring
at Gandhiji and finally asked to take off his turban but Gandhi refused to turn off their turban and
left the court. Then Gandhiji think about to wear a English hat and remove the turban and save
him for insult. But Abdulla Sheth told that Gandhiji if you do anything of the kind, it will be bad
effect. You wear turban on his head, if you wear an English hat, you will pass for a waiter. And
Gandhiji wear turban at the last. Gandhiji was famous in South Africa in two three days of his
arrival here and this incident gave him an expected advertisement in South Africa. Some
supported Gandhiji and some criticized Gandhiji.

When Gandhiji was on the way of Pretoria, Gandhiji booked a first class ticket of train from
Durban to Pretoria. A man came and looked Gandhiji a coloured man in the first class
department. This person went and come with two three officer. One of them was came to
Gandhiji and told that come with us into a van compartment when Gandhiji rejected to go in van
compartment, then he forceful throw outside the train and his luggage. Then Gandhiji sat in the
waiting room and think that should he fight for his right or go back to India, or should I go on to
Pretoria without minding the insults and return to India after finishing the case. But Gandhiji take
another ticket for Pretoria and went by train. In the train, leader of the people brought a dirty
cloth from the driver and ordered Gandhiji to sit on it. Gandhiji go to the sit next to the driver
and Gandhiji felt that he may be reached alive his destination. Gandhiji thinks that when he
reached Pretoria and there was people available for take him to where he lived.

Changes in his life:- in the life of Gandhiji, there were many changes. In the childhood, after the
marriage in early age changes his life fully. When he was with his friend in Rajkot, Gandhiji also
started eating meat and within the friendship Gandhiji was also stared smoking and Gandhiji also
steal money and under the influence of his friend, he suspicious his wife character. After the
death of Gandhiji father, it was a psychological attack on the mind of Gandhi. When he go to
England for studied then there were many in the life of Gandhiji. Gandhiji also started the dress
of English society and also learned and many languages. When he was completed his education,
his value was also increased and the status of his family also increased. When Gandhiji went to
South Africa, he was treated as a person of low caste. He was insulted many times but Gandhiji
does not loose his patience and never looked back. When Gandhiji was in the London, Gandhiji
also started eating meat and dress was changed fully and Gandhiji looked like a European.

Participation in politics: - Gandhiji do his first satyagarha in 1908. His first experience of jail
life was in 1908. Then he observed the regulation of prisoner and there was a regulation that last
meal was finished before sunsets and neither Indian nor African was not allowed to drink tea or
coffee.

On the release of some of the Satyagrahis from jail.at that time, Gandhiji was moved beteen
Johannesburg and Phenoix.

In 1914, Gandhiji get a letter from Gokhale. In this letter, Gokhale instruction’s to return India.
This time Gandhiji bought the third class ticket of voyage. When he arrives England from South
Africa he saw that Gokhale had been stranded in Paris where he had gone for health reasons.
Gandhiji was not want to leave England without meet with Gokhale. He started met with Indians
who in England for studied and spread the message of truth and also insists them to participate in
war.
Before he reached home, the party which had started from Phoenix had already arrived. Gandhiji
wants that all member of party live together as possible.so, he met with Mr. Andres and he
advised him. Gandhiji and other member of party was put in the gurukul, kangri where the late
Swami Shraddhanandji treated them as his own children. From Rajkot Gandhiji proceed to shanti
niketan. The teachers and students overwhelmed me with affection. Then he first time met with
Kakasaheb Kalelkar. Kakasaheb conduct a school in the Baroda state called ‘Ganganath
Vidyalaya’. One day, he receive the news that Gokhale was died and he left for poona with his
wife and maganlal and all other people stayed in Shanti Niketan. After reaching the Poona,
Gandhiji performance of the shraddha ceremonies. After sometimes, Gandhiji was founded an
ashram. Until 1917, champaran was full of Indigo plantation and champaran people bound by
law to plant three out of every twenty parts of his land with Indigo for his landlord. Then
Gandhiji go to the champaran with the objects to inquire into the condition of the Champaran
agriculturists and understand their grievances against the indigo planters. And Gandhiji started
satyagarha for protecting in farmers from exploitation. When Gandhiji in the champaran, he find
that there were many problem with the villagers like no enough food and no clothes for wearing
and the life of champaran people live his life in hell. After it the Kheda Satyagraha was started.
In Kheda, the crop of farmer was destroy and Patidars of Khede were considering the question of
revenue. Gandhiji also participate in Kheda satyagarha and written many on behalf of the
villagers of Kheda to Collector. When kheda campaign was launched while the deadly war still
going in Europe. Viceroy invited many leaders in war conference in Delhi. Gandhiji also
participate in the conference. After it when Rowlatt bills came into the power by British Empire
and Gandhiji also against this bill. When Gandhiji return from the South Africa after a short tour
and then Gandhiji reached Delhi but he was late to reach and there was a hartal by Hindu and
Muslim both came with unity. After the success, Gandhiji also started two papers ‘Young India’
and ‘Navajiwan’ for wake the people. Gnadhiji also participate in politics and participate in
various types of movement. Gandhiji also the president of Congress in 1923. Gandhiji stopped
writing book in 1920 and say that his life is for public and its not need to write about himself.
My Experience: - As a researcher, I would understand the tragedy happens in the life of
Gandhiji. I would understand the life in which way Gandhiji was live. I was encouraged by the
life of the Gandhiji. I understand that how to find out the liability in the response of his life. I
understand the tragedy which was not follow basis rule for the life to satisfy his experience. In
Gandhiji life, there were many incident like never touch any women in his life except his wife.
Gandhiji wants to do something big in his life and in was wants independence in the school
times. Gandhiji never lost his patience in any situation and he faces the problem and he never run
from the problem and this point of Gandhiji made remember by the youths in his problems.