Gandhi And Jainism

Author(s): Shugan C Jain
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies

Page 98

CHAPTER IV
THE LAST PHASE (1914-48)
Gandhi returned to India from South Africa to work to unite his fellow countrymen and have them join his Satygraha to free India from the slavery of British Empire. He enhanced his self suffering and worked relentlessly to achieve his mission. India became free from British rule on August 14th 1947 but as a divided nation i.e. India and Pakistan (constituted from Muslims majority provinces, whole or partitioned). He was assassinated on January 30th 1948. His last words were Hey Rama or Oh! God
Gandhi returned to India via London as per Gokhale's advice" He reached London on August 6, 1914 only to discover Europe entangled in the First World War declared on August 4th. Gandhi offered his service to help the British to nurse the wounded British soldiers in the First World War. After seeing the Ambulance Corps became operational, he was in a shock when he started his trip from London to India and noticed the condescending attitudes of British officers who behaved as masters treating Indians as inferiors.3
He went to Poona to meet Gokhale who promised support and guidance and urged him to participate in the Indian freedom struggle by first becoming familiar with the plight of Indians. So Gandhi travelled throughout India like an ordinary poor Indian in third class railway compartment. After finishing his travels, Gandhi joined the Indian freedom struggle.
He started his Indian activities in May 1915. He chose Ahmedabad as his work centre as it was an ancient centre of handloom weaving and most suited for the revival of the cottage industry of hand-spinning. He established Satyagraha Ashram at Kocharab in Ahmedabad to acquaint India with Satyagraha and