Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, India, a small coastal town in the Kathiawar Peninsula. He was the youngest of three children born to Karamchand Gandhi, a chief minister, and his wife, Putlibai.
Gandhi's childhood was shaped by the traditional Hindu values and practices of his family and community. He was raised in a Vaishnava Hindu household and received a traditional education in Sanskrit, grammar, and religion. Gandhi was also taught about the Bhagavad Gita, a Hindu scripture, and the story of Rama, a Hindu deity.
Despite his religious upbringing, Gandhi was not particularly religious as a child. In fact, he was known to be a mischievous and rebellious child who often defied the rules and expectations set by his parents and teachers. He was also known to be kind and compassionate, especially towards animals.
Gandhi's father, Karamchand Gandhi, was a strong influence on his life. Karamchand was a skilled politician and a successful lawyer, and he instilled in Gandhi the importance of education and self-discipline. However, Gandhi did not always agree with his father's strict and traditional ways, and he often clashed with him over issues of morality and justice.
Gandhi's mother, Putlibai, was a deeply religious woman who was devoted to her family and her faith. She was a strong influence on Gandhi's spiritual and moral development, and he credited her with instilling in him the values of compassion and nonviolence.
Gandhi's childhood was marked by a number of significant events and experiences that would shape his worldview and future actions. One such experience was his encounter with racial discrimination during a trip to South Africa in 1893. Gandhi was treated poorly and unfairly because of his skin color, and this experience had a profound impact on him. It was in South Africa that Gandhi began to develop his philosophy of nonviolence and civil disobedience, which he would later use to great effect in the Indian independence movement.
Overall, Gandhi's childhood was characterized by a mix of traditional Hindu values, a strong sense of morality and justice, and a rebellious spirit. These qualities would shape his future as a leader and a champion of social justice and human rights.
