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(5), pp. 108-112, July 2012 (Pubd in: academia.edu) |
| Author | Asmat Ullah Wazir and Jamshed Khan |
| Subject | A review article analyzing Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy of Satyagraha (truth-force) and nonviolence, tracing its origins, key applications in South Africa and India, and its legacy in later global struggles. |
| Category | Review Article |
| Institution | Ara Khel College Kohat; Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad |
| Country of Publication | Not clearly identified in the document. |
| Main Topics | Gandhi's life and political leadership, Satyagraha as truth-force, Nonviolence (Ahimsa) and its religious roots, South African resistance, Indian independence movement (Rowlatt Act, Salt March, Khilafat Movement), Global legacy and influence on later protests |
| Number of Pages | 5 |
| Language | English |
| File Type | |
| File Size | 156.9 KB |
Summary Note of this Document
This review article examines Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi's philosophy of satyagraha and nonviolence as developed and applied during his struggles in South Africa and India. The authors argue that Gandhi's methods were rooted in his humanitarian vision and his commitment to undo imperial injustices and reform indigenous society. The paper traces Gandhi's early life, his legal career, and his formation of satyagraha as a distinctive form of resistance, distinguished from passive resistance. It highlights key episodes such as the South African registration protests, the Rowlatt Act agitation, the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy, the Khilafat and non-cooperation movements, the Chauri Chaura incident, and the famous Salt March of 1930. The article also discusses Gandhi's role as a social reformer, particularly his efforts to uplift the untouchables. The authors assess the influence of Gandhi's techniques on later Indian movements, such as the Akali and Pashtun struggles, and on global figures like Lech Walesa, Aung San Suu Kyi, Nelson Mandela, and the Dalai Lama. They conclude that while Gandhi's ideas did not fully transform the Indian state, his philosophy of nonviolence remains a powerful legacy, inspiring peace studies, environmentalism, and popular education. The review draws on a wide range of secondary sources to present Gandhi as a prophet of nonviolent resistance.
Core Themes
- Satyagraha as a moral and political force
- Nonviolence (Ahimsa) and its religious foundations
- Anti-colonial resistance and Indian nationalism
- Social reform and the uplift of the untouchables
- Global transmission and legacy of Gandhian methods
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.