ByGandhinagar: The podcast “Gandhi: The Beginning” kicks off with its first episode, exploring Mahatma Gandhi’s family history and cultural influences. Hosted by journalist Ashraf Engineer, with insights from Tushar Gandhi, Gandhi’s great-grandson, this podcast is a new series within the “All Indians Matter” network, which has previously covered Gandhi’s life and legacy.
Prior episodes in the network include “Gandhi – The Final Years,” “Murder of the Mahatma,” and “Kastur: In Gandhi’s Shadow, His Guiding Light.” This fresh look goes beyond the well-known, diving into the early influences and background of Gandhi’s lineage.
This first episode, titled “Gandhi – The Beginnings”, goes back to the start of Mahatma Gandhi’s life, focusing on his family history and the influences that shaped his early years. Tushar Gandhi, drawing on his own research and family history, guides listeners through the lives of Mahatma Gandhi’s grandfather, Uttamchand Gandhi, and his father, Karamchand Gandhi, both of whom served as Prime Ministers in the Kathiawad region.
The podcast uses Volume 1 of Gandhi’s biography, “Mahatma Gandhi – The Early Phase,” written by his secretary Pyarelal, as its foundation and Jivan Nu Parodh written by Prabhudas Gandhi. The episode aims to uncover the lesser-known aspects of Mahatma Gandhi’s lineage, shedding light on the values and experiences that contributed to his development as a leader.
The first episode
The episode begins by setting the stage in Kathiawad (also known as Saurashtra), a region rich in mythology and history. This region, jutting into the Arabian Sea, is believed to be the place where Lord Krishna settled after fleeing Mathura. It is also the birthplace of two prominent figures in India’s history: Mahatma Gandhi and Swami Dayananda Saraswati, the founder of the Arya Sama.
The podcast emphasizes the cultural diversity of Kathiawad, a melting pot of various religious and cultural influences. From the Yadavas mentioned in the Mahabharata to the arrival of Muslims in the 11th century and the subsequent influences of Arabic and Persian culture, Kathiawad developed a culture of tolerance.
The Gandhi family, residing in this diverse environment, embraced the Vaishnavism tradition while also being exposed to Pranami influences, a sect known for its acceptance of diverse religious texts.
‘Otta Bappa’ The Diplomat
The narrative shifts to the story of Uttamchand Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi’s grandfather. Tushar in the podcast recounts a significant incident from his youth that exemplifies his diplomatic skills . When his uncle, the then-Prime Minister of Porbandar, was away, Uttamchand, still a young man, received a summons from the ruler to address a pressing issue.
Boldly, he donned his uncle’s ceremonial attire and attended the court, causing some consternation among the officials. The ruler, faced with a challenging border dispute with a neighboring ruler over tax delinquency, tasked Uttamchand with resolving the issue.
Uttamchand skillfully negotiated a territorial swap, exchanging a piece of Porbandar’s land for a seemingly insignificant arid region claimed by the neighboring ruler. Although initially perceived as an unfavorable deal, Uttamchand’s decision proved to be a stroke of genius.
Within a few decades, the construction of irrigation canals transformed the arid land into fertile ground, generating substantial revenue for Porbandar. This incident solidified Uttamchand’s reputation as a capable administrator and diplomat. He was subsequently appointed as the Prime Minister of Porbandar, succeeding his uncle.
The Queen’s Wrath
The podcast then recounts another incident when the ruler of Porbandar was on his deathbed, he appointed Uttamchand as the protector of the state treasury, entrusting him with ensuring the queen did not plunder the state’s wealth. True to his duty, Uttamchand refused to grant the queen access to the treasury without proper authorization, even in his absence.
The queen, enraged by his defiance, ordered the execution of the treasurer and besieged the Gandhi household, where the treasurer had sought refuge under the protection of Uttamchand’s wife. Despite the queen’s threats, Uttamchand stood firm, protecting the treasurer and upholding the law. This incident ultimately led to British intervention and a resolution, further cementing Uttamchand’s reputation as a man of integrity and principle.
Karamchand Gandhi
The focus now shifts to Karamchand Gandhi, Uttamchand’s son and Mahatma Gandhi’s father. Karamchand inherited his father’s legacy of leadership and commitment to ethical governance, serving as Prime Minister in various states within the Kathiawad region. However, his uncompromising nature often brought him into conflict with the rulers he served.
The podcast provides several anecdotes illustrating Karamchand’s steadfastness in upholding moral principles. One such instance involves his service to the Thakur of Rajkot.
The Thakur, known for his philandering ways, attempted to exploit his position by demanding that every newlywed woman spend a night with him before joining her husband. Karamchand, appalled by this practice, intervened when a courtier’s family sought his protection. Risking his own safety, he disguised himself as the bride and awaited the Thakura’s arrival.
Upon discovering Karamchand in the bride’s place, the Thakur was confronted with the consequences of his actions. Karamchand’s bold act served as a stark reminder of the limits of power and the importance of moral conduct. This incident, and others like it, solidified Karamchand’s reputation as a protector of the people and earned him the respect and admiration of those he served.
A Devoted Father’s Perilous Journey
Tushar describes a dramatic incident leading to Karamchand Gandhi’s serious injury. The incident unfolded as the Gandhi family prepared for Mohandas’ wedding in Porbandar. At the last minute, the Thakur of Rajkot, where Karamchand served as Prime Minister, refused to grant him leave for the wedding, citing important state matters.
Despite Putlibai, Mohandas’s mother, taking charge and performing the initial wedding rituals in Porbandar, Karamchand’s presence was eagerly awaited, particularly as the Prince of Porbandar, who had close ties with the Gandhi family, was also expected to attend. Finally, at the eleventh hour, the Thakur relented and allowed Karamchand to leave for the wedding.
Recognizing the urgency, the Thakur provided Karamchand with his fastest pair of bullocks and cart, driven by his most skilled driver, to ensure he reached Porbandar in time. In his desperate race against time, the cart met with an accident, throwing Karamchand off the cart and causing grievous injuries.
Despite the severity of his injuries, Karamchand, driven by his paternal devotion, persevered and managed to reach Porbandar just in time for his son’s wedding. However, the accident left him with lasting consequences. The sources state that he remained bedridden from that point forward, with his injuries and subsequent ailments worsening over time.
This accident marked a turning point for the Gandhi family. Karamchand’s inability to work led to a decline in their financial stability. The incident also deeply affected Mohandas, who took it upon himself to nurse his father, further shaping his sense of responsibility and highlighting the changing dynamics within the family.
The Devout Mother
The podcast then explores the influence of Putlibai, Karamchand’s fourth wife and Mahatma Gandhi’s mother. Putlibai is described as a deeply pious and disciplined woman, her life revolving around religious rituals and practices.
The episode recounts an anecdote that demonstrates Putlibai’s unwavering devotion to her religious practices.
One of her rituals involved fasting during the monsoon season and breaking her fast only after praying to the sun god while seeing the sun. Even during cloudy days, when the sun remained obscured, Putlibai refused to compromise her ritual, often fasting for the entire day until she could see the sun. The young Mohandas witnessed his mother’s unwavering dedication to her beliefs, an experience that likely instilled in him a deep respect for faith and discipline.
In the end
The episode concludes by discussing the changing socio-political landscape of India during Karamchand’s later years. The podcast underscores the growing influence of the British Raj and its impact on the traditional systems of governance in Kathiawad.
As the British consolidated their power, the authority of the diwans (Prime Ministers) diminished. This transition, coupled with Karamchand’s accident and subsequent health issues, resulted in a decline in the family’s financial stability.
Despite their financial hardships, the Gandhi family strived to maintain their social standing, leading to internal conflicts between maintaining a public image and facing private deprivation.
Marriage Lesson
The episode ends with Tushar Gandhi sharing a brief but insightful reflection on Mahatma Gandhi’s early married life and his relationship with Kasturba. He notes the challenges they faced due to their young age and lack of understanding about marriage and its complexities.
In his early marriage to Kasturba, Mahatma Gandhi faced the challenges and misunderstandings typical of young couples navigating complex relationships. Both were children when they wed, with limited understanding of marriage’s intricacies.
Kasturba, familiar with child widows and the restricted roles for women, saw marriage as a shift in household responsibilities. Meanwhile, Gandhi, influenced by myths and exaggerated tales from friends, viewed marriage through an idealized, unrealistic lens, which led to early misunderstandings.
In a humorous turn, Gandhi even purchased a “manual” on marriage to guide his behavior, studying its advice and attempting to apply it, highlighting his earnest, if naive, efforts to become a good husband.
Through these early struggles, Kasturba emerged as the steady, mature partner, helping Gandhi grow and understand the deeper aspects of relationships. Later, Gandhi acknowledged Kasturba’s profound influence on his development, a testament to her quiet strength and wisdom.
