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| Gandhi: A prophet of satyagraha and nonviolence |
File Information
| Document Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Gandhi: A prophet of satyagraha and nonviolence |
| Article Credit | Global Advanced Research Journal of History, Political Science and International Relations, Vol.: 1, Issue: 5, Year: 2012, (Pubd in: Academia.edu) |
| Author | jamshed khan (Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan, Alumnus) (Lecturer in Ara Khel College Kohat Asmatullah; PhD student at the department of History, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, and Pakistan.) |
| Subject | This review article examines Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy of Satyagraha and nonviolence, tracing its origins in South Africa, its application in India's independence movement, and its enduring global influence. |
| Category | History |
| Main Topics | Gandhi's philosophy of Satyagraha, Nonviolence (ahimsa) in Gandhi's thought, Gandhi's early life and influences, Satyagraha in South Africa, Satyagraha in India: Rowlatt Act, Non-cooperation, Salt March, Gandhi's social reform: uplift of Untouchables, Global legacy of Gandhi's nonviolence, Gandhi's influence on later leaders and movements |
| Number of Pages | 5 |
| Language | English |
| File Type | |
| File Size | 156.7 KB |
Summary Note of this Document
This review article examines Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy of Satyagraha and nonviolence, tracing its origins, applications, and global legacy. The authors, Asmat Ullah Wazir and Jamshed Khan, argue that Gandhi's innovative methods of peaceful resistance were rooted in truth (satya) and nonviolence (ahimsa), and were effective in challenging imperial injustices in South Africa and India. The article details Gandhi's early life, his experiences with discrimination in South Africa, and his development of Satyagraha as a powerful tool for social and political change. It highlights key campaigns, including the protests against the Transvaal registration law, the Rowlatt Act protests, the Non-cooperation Movement, and the Salt March, emphasizing Gandhi's commitment to nonviolence even in the face of violence. The authors also discuss Gandhi's social reform efforts, particularly his advocacy for the rights of Untouchables. The article concludes by assessing Gandhi's lasting influence on global movements for civil rights and freedom, citing figures like Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, and Aung San Suu Kyi, and noting the continued relevance of his philosophy in contemporary protests.
Core Themes
- Satyagraha as a philosophy of truth-force
- Nonviolence as a powerful weapon for the weak
- Gandhi's role in Indian independence movement
- Social reform and the uplift of Untouchables
- Global influence of Gandhi's ideas
Keywords
About Mahatma Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi lived from 1869 to 1948. Born in India, he trained as a lawyer and became a political thinker. Colonial rule repelled him. He opposed it fiercely and eventually led India’s independence movement.
Gandhi pioneered Satyagraha, the power of truth and nonviolent resistance. He put these ideals into practice during political and social upheavals. Over twenty years in South Africa shaped his thinking. That’s where he developed his tactics of nonviolent defiance. He returned to India in 1915 and launched major movements against British rule. Non-Cooperation Movement. Salt March. Quit India Movement. Each one challenged colonial domination.
In 1883 he married Kasturba Gandhi. Marriage and family life remained central to who he was. He spoke powerfully about his beliefs. His writing included Hind Swaraj, Satyagraha in South Africa, and The Story of My Experiments with Truth, his autobiography.
His vision stretched beyond political independence. Religious harmony mattered to him. Social equality. Self-reliance. Women’s rights. Ending untouchability. All of these were part of what he fought for.
Nonviolence and Satyagraha shaped movements worldwide. Civil rights activists drew from his example. Freedom struggles across the globe felt his influence. His approach changed how people thought about resistance and change.
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