By way of introduction

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869-1948), popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi, continues to evoke interest even several decades after his death in 1948. It is true that Richard Attenborough’s film Gandhi popularized Gandhi immensely all over the world but the Mahatma also remains an important topic of research and discussion among those interested in exploring alternative ideological traditions. The task is made easier simply because Gandhi’s own writings on various themes are plentiful and unambiguous. His articulation is not only clear and simple but also meaningful taken in the context of his leadership of the most gigantic nationalist struggle of the twentieth century. He wrote extensively in Young India and Harijan, the leading newspapers of the era, commenting on issues of contemporary relevance. These texts frequently addressed matters of everyday importance to Indians in the early and middle parts of the twentieth century, matters which may not appear relevant if seen superficially. Writing for the ordinary folk, he usually employed metaphors and engaged in homilies to teach Indians about their abilities and also their strong traditions. This is one of the ways in which he involved the Indians in non-violent struggles against British imperialism, untouchability and communal discord.