Gandhi’s Preparation for England

Dr. Manjula B.M.

Department of English

Vidyodaya Law College

Explain the preparation of M.K.Gandhi to go to England.

Elder family members of Mohandas Gandhi wanted him to pursue his college education after his

matriculation. He joined Samaldas College in Bhavanagar as it was near to home and inexpensive than

joining college in Bombay. He has to face difficulty in all the subjects as he could not follow the lectures.

The problem was Gandhi himself as he was not upto the expectation of the Professors teaching at the college

whose teaching was of first rate.

During the vacation their family friend Mavji Dave also known Mr.Joshi, a shrewd Brahmin visited the

Gandhi family. He advised Gandhi’s mother and elder brother to send Gandhi to England to study and

become Barrister. His reasoning was that if Mohandas studied B.A for five years he will be 4eligible for

sixty rupees job not for the Diwanship once moccupied by their father. Moreover it was very easy to become

a barrister. He also put forth his view about how a barrister who has returned from England lived stylishly.

He assured them that his son Kevalram has numerous friends in England who will help Mohandas to study

in England and become a barrister.

Mavji Dave’s advise was a welcome change to Mohandas as he was finding difficulty in pursuing his B.A

at Somaldas College. He requested his elder brother to send him to study medicine to become a qualified

doctor. But his elder brother raised the objection that their father would never have sent his son to medical

profession as they were Vaishnavites. And they should have nothing to do with the dissection of dead

bodies. He also informed Mohandas that their father’s intention was to send him to bar. Even Joshiji

supported Mohandas’s elder brother in this argument saying that though the Hindu Shastras are not against

medical profession but it will not get him the Diwanship once enjoyed by his father. He advised him that
only Diwasnship will enable Mohandas to protect and take care of his large family. As the times are fast

changing and getting harder every day the wisest choice is therefore to become a barrister.

This advice by Joshiji made Gandhi to build castle in the air. His elder was exercising his mind how to find

the wherewithal to send Mohandas to England. His mother did not like the idea of parting with her younger

son so she tried to put off the plan by instructing her sons that they must consult their uncle who is the

eldest member of the family and if he consented she will agree to send Mohandas to England. Mohandas’s

elder brother had a plan that their uncle has close contact with Mr.Lely who was the administrator of

Porbandar State where Gandhi’s family had a claim. He though that it may be possible if their uncle

recommended Mohandas for some state help so that he can pursue his education in England without much

financial burden on the family.

Mohandas went to Porbandar to meet his uncle to seek his permission and help for his England journey.

His uncle was sceptic who was neither supportive nor against Mohandas going to England to study for

barrister degree. He did not even gave recommendation letter to Mr.Lely also. He rather informed

Mohandas that he will not abject to Mohandas’s journey abroad but informed him to get the permission of

his mother. Mr.Lely was not forthcoming in getting State help for Mohandas’s education. He informed him

curtly to pass his B.A first and then approach him. Mohandas had no other option but to relay on the

generosity of his elder brother and his wife’s ornament to pursue for barrister degree.

The final hurdle was his mother’s permission. His mother was reluctant to send Mohandas to England as

people have told her that young men got lost in England, they will take meat, and they could live in England

without liquor as it is a cold country. Mohandas tried to convince his mother but without any result. After

a lot of persuasion his mother agreed to consult Becharji Swami, a Jain monk and also a family friend like

Mavji Dave. He informed Mohandas’s mother to allow him to go to England after taking the three vows.

He administered Mohandas the oath not to touch wine, woman and meat in England. After this his mother

gave permission to Mohandas to go to England to study for Barrister degree.