Manilal Gandhi was the second son of Mohandas Gandhi and Kasturba Gandhi, and he was born on October 28, 1892, in Rajkot, India. Manilal Gandhi was a prominent figure in the Indian independence movement, and he played a significant role in the Satyagraha campaigns of the 1920s and 1930s.
Early Life and Education
Manilal Gandhi was born into a family that was deeply committed to Indian nationalism and social justice. His father, Mohandas Gandhi, was already active in the Indian independence movement when Manilal was born, and he instilled these values in his children from a young age.
Manilal Gandhi received his early education at home, and he later attended schools in India and England. He studied law in London and returned to India in 1915, where he began to work closely with his father in the Indian National Congress.
Role in the Indian Independence Movement
Manilal Gandhi played a crucial role in the Indian independence movement, and he worked alongside his father in various campaigns and protests. In 1917, he joined his father in the Champaran Satyagraha, a campaign against the British colonial government's policies towards indigo farmers.
Manilal also participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement of 1920-1922, which called for Indians to boycott British goods and institutions. He was arrested along with his father and other leaders of the movement in 1922, and he spent several months in jail.
In 1930, Manilal Gandhi was appointed as the leader of the Salt Satyagraha, a campaign against the British salt tax. He led a group of volunteers on a 241-mile march from Sabarmati to Dandi, where they began to produce salt in defiance of the British authorities. Manilal was arrested several times during the campaign and spent a total of four years in jail.
Later Life and Legacy
After India gained independence in 1947, Manilal Gandhi continued to be involved in public life. He served as a member of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian parliament, and he was also involved in various social and cultural organizations.
Manilal Gandhi passed away on April 5, 1956, at the age of 63. He was remembered as a committed and principled activist who dedicated his life to the cause of Indian independence and social justice.
Manilal Gandhi's contributions to the Indian independence movement and his legacy as a social and political activist continue to inspire people in India and around the world today.
