Essay on Mahatma Gandhi – 200, 400, 600 Words

Writing the perfect essay is an art. For this, you have to remember all the specifics such as his date of birth, institutions attended, major movements such as the Non-Cooperation Movement, and the impact on the world. Apart from this, you will also have to mention the key philosophies of Mahatma Gandhi and his contribution to the Indian freedom struggle. Sounds like a lot? Don’t stress yourself as this blog is your one true solution. How? In this blog, you will find student-friendly samples of how to write a short essay on Mahatma Gandhi 200 words, 400 words, and 600 words. Additionally, you will also find downloadable PDFs. Let’s dive right in.

Short Essay on Mahatma Gandhi 200 Words

Mahatma Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, India. All throughout his life, he was guided by nonviolent beliefs. 

Bapu struggled greatly and gave up a lot of his personal possessions in his journey to free India from British rule, but he never wavered from his nonviolent beliefs. 

His legal career took him to South Africa, where he fought against racial injustice. He married Kasturba at the age of thirteen and continued his schooling in London.  

Gandhi used nonviolence in various movements during India’s war for independence, including the Champaran and Kheda movements, the Non-cooperation Movement, the Salt March, and the Quit India Movement. His influence was felt all around the world, motivating figures like Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr.  

Gandhi made contributions to secularism, environmental sustainability and social transformation. His legacy is firmly based on his nonviolence (Ahimsa) ideology. On January 30, 1948, he was murdered, yet his influence lives on, earning him the title of renowned “Father of the Nation and Bapu” in India’s history. His legacy will live on forever, inspiring future generations with his words and example.

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Also Read: GK Quiz on Gandhi Jayanti in English for Kids

Essay on Mahatma Gandhi 400 Words

Mahatma Gandhi is one of the greatest political icons in history, with Indians holding him in the highest esteem and honouring him as the “father of the nation.” His name and teachings will undoubtedly remain immortal, continuing to inspire generations to come.

Throughout his efforts, Mahatma Gandhi went through great hardship and made significant personal sacrifices in the journey to free India from British rule, all while strictly following non-violent principles. 

Let’s dive deeper into his life: 

Birth and Childhood 

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi, was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, which is now part of the state of Gujarat, India. 

His father, Karamchand Gandhi was the Chief Minister (diwan) in Porbandar during that period. Gandhi’s mother, Putlibai, was a deeply religious and charitable woman. 

As a young boy, Gandhi took in his mother’s qualities, inheriting her strong values, ethical principles and spirit of self-sacrifice.

Marriage and Education

At the tender age of 13, Mohandas entered into marriage with Kasturba Makanji. In 1888, they welcomed a baby boy before he set sail for London to pursue further studies. In 1893, he ventured to South Africa to continue his law practice, where he faced severe racial discrimination imposed by the British. 

A significant incident that deeply impacted the young Gandhi was when he was forcibly evicted from a first-class train compartment only due to his race and skin colour.

Civil Rights Movement in Africa

Having suffered discrimination and humiliation due to his race and colour, Gandhi made a pledge to fight and confront racial discrimination against immigrants in South Africa. In 1894, he established the National Indian Congress and embarked on a fight against racial discrimination. Gandhi passionately advocated for the civil rights of immigrants in South Africa, devoting approximately two decades to this effort.

Legacy

Mahatma Gandhi’s influence has reached far and wide, touching the lives of numerous international leaders across the globe. Leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., James Bevel and James Lawson found inspiration in his struggle and adopted his principles. Nelson Mandela, in his search for freedom, was also deeply influenced by Gandhi’s teachings, while Lanza del Vasto even chose to reside in India to be close to him.  

The impact of Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy is evident in the recognition he received from the United Nations. They have honoured him by designating 2nd October as the “International Day of Nonviolence.” Additionally, many countries observe 30th January as the School Day of Nonviolence and Peace to celebrate his beliefs and principles.  

Throughout his life, Mahatma Gandhi received numerous awards and honours, making his contribution widely acknowledged. Almost every nation has shown their respect to him. 

Also Read: 7 Best Gandhi Jayanti Celebration Ideas and Activities for Students

Essay on Mahatma Gandhi 600 Words

Mahatma Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, Gujarat. His full name was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. He came from a wealthy family and chose Law as his profession. But during his time in South Africa, he faced oppression due to racial discrimination which made him seek the journey of freedom.

Let’s dive deep into the life of Mahatma Gandhi in this essay. 

Role of Mahatma Gandhi in India’s Freedom Struggle 

The significance of non-violence in India’s freedom struggle gained importance with the involvement of Mahatma Gandhi. While there were parallel violent movements against British rule, the peaceful nature of non-violence made it a powerful way to demand complete independence. 

Mahatma Gandhi utilized non-violence in every movement against the British government, and some of the most notable non-violent movements were as follows:  

Champaran and Kheda Agitations

In 1917, Mahatma Gandhi organized a non-violent protest against the British-imposed indigo cultivation and fixed pricing, leading to the acceptance of farmers’ demands. Similarly, in 1918, he led peaceful protests against the British administration for tax relief during a famine in the Kheda region, which led to the suspension of revenue collection.  

Non-cooperation Movement

Sparked by the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and harsh British policies in 1920, this movement promoted the boycott of British products and services. Indians withdrew from British-run institutions and civil services, significantly affecting British administration without resorting to violence.  

Salt Satyagraha or Salt March

In 1930, Mahatma Gandhi led the famous 26-day non-violent march to Dandi, Gujarat, protesting the salt monopoly imposed by the British. Breaking the salt laws and promoting local salt production, the Salt March gained international attention and strengthened the foundation of Independent India.  

Quit India Movement

Launched on August 8, 1942, the Quit India Movement demanded the British to leave India. Despite being in the midst of World War II, the non-violent civil disobedience movement grew the pressure on the British government and paved the way for India’s independence.  

These non-violent movements, led by Mahatma Gandhi, showed the power of truth and non-violence as their weapons against British rule. The effectiveness of non-violence attracted international attention and exposed the oppressive policies of the British government to the world.

Accomplishments

Mahatma Gandhi, not only played a crucial role in India’s fight for independence but also made significant contributions to remove various social evils. His accomplishments can be summarized as follows:

Champion Against Racial Discrimination in South Africa

Witnessing the racial discrimination in South Africa deeply affected Mahatma Gandhi, motivating him to take a stand against it. He courageously challenged the law that denied voting rights to non-European individuals and became a prominent civil rights activist fighting for the rights of immigrants in South Africa.

The Icon of India’s Freedom Struggle

As a famous leader of the Indian independence movement, Mahatma Gandhi adopted a liberal approach, advocating peaceful and nonviolent protests against British rule. His leadership in movements like the Champaran Satyagraha, Civil Disobedience Movement, Salt March and Quit India Movement attracted global attention and shook the foundation of British rule in India.

Eradicating Social Evils

Gandhi Ji dedicated himself to rooting out various social evils prevalent in society at that time. He initiated campaigns to ensure equal rights for the untouchables and uplift their status in society. Additionally, he championed women’s empowerment, promoted education and opposed child marriage, leaving a lasting impact on Indian society.

Demise 

After India gained independence in 1947, Mahatma Gandhi’s life came to a tragic end when he was assassinated by a Hindu activist named Nathuram Godse on January 30, 1948. 

Throughout his life, he devoted himself to the service of the motherland, leaving a profound impact on the nation. His teachings and actions illuminated our path to true freedom from British rule. 

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