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| Sergeant-Major Gandhi: Indian Nationalism and Nonviolent Martiality — A representative image. |
File Information
| Document Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Sergeant-Major Gandhi: Indian Nationalism and Nonviolent "Martiality" |
| Article Credit | The Journal of Asian Studies, ISSN: 0021-9118 / 1752-0401, Vol.: 73, Issue: 3, Year: 2014, (Pubd in: Academia.edu) |
| Author | Maria Misra (University of Oxford, Faculty Member) |
| Subject | This article reinterprets Gandhi's ideology as a form of nonviolent 'martiality' rather than principled nonviolence, situating his thought within global militarism, Romantic anti-materialism, Asian nationalism, and Indian varna ideology. |
| Category | Academic Journal Article |
| Institution | University of Oxford |
| Country of Publication | United Kingdom |
| Main Topics | Gandhi's concept of nonviolent martiality, Gandhi's nationalism and anti-imperialism, The influence of militarism on Gandhi's thought, Gandhi's engagement with varna and caste, Satyagraha as a quasi-military strategy, Gandhi's ambiguous stance on violence, Global context of Asian nationalism, Critique of Western materialism |
| Number of Pages | 21 |
| Language | English |
| File Type | |
| File Size | 156.7 KB |
Summary Note of this Document
This article challenges prevailing interpretations of Gandhi as a global theorist of principled nonviolence, arguing instead that his writings consistently reveal a preoccupation with martial courage and fearlessness. Misra contends that Gandhi's stance is best understood as nonviolent 'martiality' rather than nonviolence per se, with his primary goal being to shape Indians into a nonviolent army capable of wresting freedom from colonial rule. The article situates Gandhi's thought within four contexts: the global popularity of militarism before 1914, Romantic critiques of Western materialism, Asian nationalist efforts to develop indigenous mobilizational politics, and Indian thinking about caste (varna). By examining Gandhi's early enthusiasm for military values, his recruitment efforts during World War I, and his later advocacy of satyagraha as a disciplined, quasi-military force, Misra demonstrates the consistency of his martial nationalism. She also addresses Gandhi's ambiguous endorsements of violence, such as in the Quit India movement, as consistent with his priority on cultivating courage over cowardice. The article concludes that Gandhi's nationalism and admiration for military virtues distinguish him from contemporary nonviolent activists, and scholars must separate the historical Gandhi from the iconic one.
Core Themes
- Nonviolent martiality
- Nationalism and anti-imperialism
- Militarism and martial races
- Varna and caste ideology
- Satyagraha as disciplined resistance
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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