Discover the life and teachings of Mahatma Gandhi also known as Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi wrote several books, essays, and letters throughout his life. through this curated list of must-read books. Dive into his philosophy, struggles, and enduring legacy with these insightful reads.
1. The Story of My Experiments with Truth
It is the autobiography of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, more commonly known as Mahatma Gandhi. It was originally written in Gujarati and published as a series in his journal Navjivan from 1925 to 1929. The English translation was published in 1948. The book provides a detailed account of Gandhi’s life, from his early childhood to the year 1921, and offers insights into his philosophy of nonviolence and his experiments with truth (satyagraha).
2. Hind Swaraj or Indian Home Rule
Hind Swaraj or Indian Home Rule is a seminal work written by Mahatma Gandhi in 1909. It is a concise but profound critique of modern civilization and a blueprint for India’s independence and self-rule (swaraj). Written in the form of a dialogue between a “Reader” (representing the common Indian) and an “Editor” (Gandhi himself), the book outlines Gandhi’s vision for India’s future, emphasizing moral and spiritual values over material progress and industrialization.
3. Satyagraha in South Africa
Satyagraha in South Africa is a detailed account written by Mahatma Gandhi about his experiences and experiments with satyagraha (nonviolent resistance) during his time in South Africa. The book chronicles the struggles of the Indian community in South Africa against racial discrimination and injustice, and it highlights the development of Gandhi’s philosophy of nonviolence and civil disobedience.
4. Constructive Programme: Its Meaning and Place
Constructive Programme: Its Meaning and Place is a booklet written by Mahatma Gandhi in 1941, outlining his vision for building a self-reliant and morally grounded society in India. The booklet serves as a practical guide for achieving swaraj (self-rule) through constructive work at the grassroots level. It complements Gandhi’s political campaigns for independence by emphasizing the need for social, economic, and moral transformation.
5. Key to Health
Key to Health is a concise and practical guide written by Mahatma Gandhi in 1948, focusing on the principles of maintaining physical and mental well-being through natural and simple living. The book reflects Gandhi’s deep belief in the connection between health, diet, and lifestyle, and it emphasizes the importance of self-discipline, hygiene, and natural remedies.
6. India of My Dreams
A collection of writings and speeches by Mahatma Gandhi, compiled to reflect his vision for an independent India. The book encapsulates Gandhi’s ideals for a nation rooted in truth, nonviolence, social justice, and self-reliance. It provides a glimpse into his dream of a free India that is not only politically independent but also morally and socially transformed.
7. Truth is God
A collection of Mahatma Gandhi’s writings and speeches on truth, compiled from his works, including Harijan and Young India. In this book, Gandhi explores Satya (Truth) as the highest principle and the essence of God.
8. Young India and Harijan
Young India and Harijan were two influential publications edited by Mahatma Gandhi to spread his ideas on truth, non-violence, self-rule, and social reform.
Young India is a weekly journal published by Gandhi in English from 1919 to 1932
Harijan here “Harijan” means “Children of God”, referring to the untouchables (Dalits), whom Gandhi sought to uplift. It is a weekly newspaper started by Gandhi, mainly in English and regional languages from 1933 to 1948.
9. Ethical Religion
It is a short but profound book written by Mahatma Gandhi in 1907. It is a collection of his thoughts on the relationship between ethics and religion, emphasizing morality as the foundation of true religion.
———-
There are many books written on Mahatma Gandhi, covering his life, philosophy, and impact on India and the world. Here are some of the most notable ones :
1. Gandhi Before India
Gandhi Before India published in 2013 by Ramachandra Guha is a detailed biography of Mahatma Gandhi, focusing on the first half of his life, from his birth in 1869 to his return to India from South Africa in 1915. This book is the first volume of Guha’s comprehensive biography of Gandhi, followed by Gandhi: The Years That Changed the World, 1914–1948(2018).
2. Great Soul: Mahatma Gandhi and His Struggle with India
A book published in 2011 by Joseph Lelyveld is a thought-provoking and controversial biography that examines Gandhi’s life, focusing on his political struggles, personal relationships, and moral dilemmas.
3. Mahatma Gandhi: His Life and Ideas
Mahatma Gandhi: His Life and Ideas by Charles F. Andrews and Arun Gandhi is a biographical and philosophical account of Mahatma Gandhi’s life, written with deep personal insight.
Charles F. Andrews was a close friend of Gandhi and an influential British missionary who supported India’s independence movement. He provides a firsthand perspective on Gandhi’s life and struggles.
4. The Essential Gandhi
The Essential Gandhi: An Anthology of His Writings on His Life, Work, and Ideas published in 1962 by Louis Fischeran an American journalist who met Gandhi multiple times, it is a curated collection of Gandhi’s writings, offering a firsthand look at his thoughts on nonviolence, truth, politics, and spirituality.
5. Gandhi and Churchill: The Epic Rivalry that Destroyed an Empire and Forged Our Age
A book published in 2008 by Arthur Herman is a dual biography that explores the ideological and political clash between Mahatma Gandhi and Winston Churchill—two of the most influential figures of the 20th century.
This book presents Gandhi and Churchill as polar opposites. their rivalry, spanning over 50 years, ultimately shaped the fate of India and the British Empire.
6. The Moral and Political Thought of Mahatma Gandhi
The Moral and Political Thought of Mahatma Gandhi published in 1973 by Raghavan Iyer, a Political Theorist is an in-depth exploration of Gandhi’s ethical, philosophical, and political ideas. Unlike traditional biographies, this book is a thematic study of Gandhi’s thought, analyzing his concepts of truth, nonviolence, self-rule, and governance.
7. Gandhi’s Truth: On the Origins of Militant Nonviolence
Gandhi’s Truth: On the Origins of Militant Nonviolence published in 1969 by Erik H. Erikson is a psychoanalytic and historical study of Mahatma Gandhi’s concept of Satyagraha (nonviolent resistance). This book won both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award, making it one of the most influential psychological analyses of Gandhi.
8. Gandhi and the Contemporary World
A book that edited by Sanjeev Kumar & Manish Sharma. a scholarly work that examines Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy and its relevance to modern challenges. Published in 2019 by Routledge India, this volume brings together diverse perspectives on how Gandhi’s ideas can inform contemporary discussions on peace, justice, and societal well-being.
9. Why Gandhi Still Matters: An Appraisal of the Mahatma’s Legacy
Why Gandhi Still Matters: An Appraisal of the Mahatma’s Legacy is a profound exploration of Mahatma Gandhi’s enduring influence, authored by his grandson, Rajmohan Gandhi, a historian, biographer, and research professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Published in 2017, this work delves into the relevance of Gandhi’s principles in today’s world, examining how his teachings on nonviolence, truth, and civil rights continue to inspire and guide contemporary movements.
10. Gandhi and Civil Disobedience: The Mahatma in Indian Politics 1928-34
Gandhi and Civil Disobedience: The Mahatma in Indian Politics 1928–1934 is a comprehensive analysis by historian Judith M. Brown, focusing on a pivotal period in India’s struggle for independence. Published by Cambridge University Press in 1977. this work delves into Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership during the civil disobedience campaigns against British colonial rule between 1928 and 1934.
These are books by Mahatma Gandhi and books related to Mahatma Gandhi, every books tell different things about him from different perspective. We hope you like our search and analysis.
For more : Stories Analyzer