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| Asserting Self through ‘Ahimsa’: Intrinsic Thought of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and Its Influence on Nelson Mandela (Ideology That Transcends Time and Boundaries) |
File Information
| Document Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Asserting Self through ‘Ahimsa’: Intrinsic Thought of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and Its Influence on Nelson Mandela (Ideology That Transcends Time and Boundaries) |
| Article Credit | SpringerReference, ISSN: 2347-5021, Vol.: VI, Issue: V, Year: 2018, (Pubd in: Academia.edu) |
| Author | Mostafa Mostafavi (University of Tehran, Graduate Student) (Assistant Professor, International Relations, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan; Ph.D. Research Scholar and Faculty Member, Department of International Relations, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan; Faculty Member, Department of International Relations, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan) |
| Subject | A comparative analysis of the ideologies of Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela, focusing on Gandhi's principle of Ahimsa (non-violence) and its influence on Mandela's political struggle against apartheid in South Africa. |
| Category | Academic Article |
| Institution | Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan |
| Country of Publication | India |
| Main Topics | Gandhi's philosophy of Ahimsa and Satyagraha, Nelson Mandela's struggle against apartheid, Comparative analysis of Gandhi and Mandela's ideologies, Colonialism and its impact on India and South Africa, Non-violent resistance and civil disobedience, Influence of Gandhi on Mandela's political strategies, The role of identity and cultural heritage in anti-colonial struggles, Reconciliation and forgiveness in post-apartheid South Africa |
| Number of Pages | 10 |
| Language | English |
| File Type | |
| File Size | 143.3 KB |
Summary Note of this Document
This article examines the ideological connection between Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela, arguing that Gandhi's principle of Ahimsa (non-violence) transcended time and geography to influence Mandela's struggle against apartheid in South Africa. The authors trace Gandhi's development of non-violent resistance during his years in South Africa (1893-1914), where he faced racial discrimination and developed his philosophy of Satyagraha. They then analyze Mandela's political evolution, from his early adoption of militant African nationalism to his eventual embrace of non-violent tactics inspired by Gandhi, including the Defiance Campaign and civil disobedience. The article highlights shared experiences of colonialism and the influence of Western education on both leaders, as well as their commitment to their indigenous cultures. It also discusses Mandela's shift to armed struggle after the Sharpeville massacre and his subsequent imprisonment on Robben Island, where he found comfort in Tolstoy's writings, a shared influence with Gandhi. Ultimately, the article concludes that Mandela's policy of reconciliation and his vision of a democratic, inclusive South Africa were a testament to the enduring impact of Gandhian philosophy. The paper draws on a range of scholarly sources to support its comparative analysis.
Core Themes
- Non-violence as a political strategy
- Colonialism and anti-colonial resistance
- Ideological influence and transcendence
- Identity and cultural heritage in political struggle
- Reconciliation and forgiveness in post-conflict societies
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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