Mohandas Gandhi, Whom most people know as Mahatma, meaning "Great Soul," is one of the most prevalent images in the minds of those who think about great leaders, in the movement for human rights and non-violence. However, not much is known about his life as a child and his achievements in the early twentieth century. All the staging grounds in Gandhi's stance towards non violence, human rights, and peace took place in the years leading up to the twentieth century and the first decade after.
Gandhi was born in Porbandar, India on October 2, 1869. His family, which consisted of two brothers and one sister lived a rather good life. Gandhi's' father, Karamanchand Gandhi, was a government official for the state of Porbandar. His mother could neither read nor write, but was very religious and was known to go on extended fasts. Gandhi's mother affected her young son at a very young age.
English: Gandhi during the Salt March, March 1930....
English: Birth place of Mahatma Gandhi, Porbandar,...
English: Gandhi shortly after arriving in South-Af...In the state that Gandhi lived there were over two dozen religions. Gandhi learned to accept all of the different religions at a very young age. Gandhi's child hood was not very different from that of a normal child, the only exemption is that Gandhi always felt a sense of responsibility and duty. When Gandhi was seven years old his father got a new job as prime minister of Rajkot. Gandhi continued his education and his life as if nothing had ever changed, until he was married at the age of thirteen in 1882.
Kastura Makinji was Gandhi's first wife. They were both the same age, and just like Gandhi's' mother Kastura could not read or write. She was the daughter of a merchant and like Gandhi lived a rather comfortable life. The two lived apart more than they did together, spending more time with parents...