Last Handed and revised Jan 28, 2008
Plot Summary for Gandhi (1982)
Mohandas K. Gandhi rose from a small-time lawyer to India's spiritual leader through his philosophy of nonviolent but direct-action protest. This film describes the life and times of Mahatma Gandhi, Indian political
leader who managed to free his country from the British rule using peaceful means and thus giving hope and
inspiration for generations to come.
When Mohandas Gandhi first set foot in British India, he had already been to Britain and South Africa, and had
created quite a stir for the betterment of the people. But in India, he realized that he had first to live the life of a
peasant to understand what it is to be an Indian. This resolve will lead him to shed his westerners clothing, and wear
a simple loincloth, be subjected to racial slurs from none other than Winston Churchill (Half naked Indian Fakir);
Mobilize awareness of local industry and less dependence on imported clothing and material; the historic dandee
march for withdrawal of the salt tax; a fast unto death to stop the virtual slaughter of British troops by irate Indian
mobs; and be imprisoned several times. His resolve was to work with stalwarts such as Mohammed Ali Jinnah,
Sardar Valabhbhai Patel, Professor Gokhale, J.B. Kripalani, Maulana Azad, and Pandit Jawarharlal Nehru to ensure
first of all to get the British to quit India, and then run an Indian Government under the Congress party.
Gandhi will soon realize that it is not enough to be just an Indian, for India has many facets - Muslim, Hindu, Sikh,
Jewish, and Christian. The British relied on these many facets as an excuse for their continuance as they wanted to
ensure that the minorities are not oppressed by the Hindu majority. Concerned over the inroads made by Gandhi to
unite the Hindus, Muslims, and all others under a common umbrella, the British invited Jinnah for talks, and it is here
that a seed was laid for a separate country called Pakistan. When Gandhi came to know about this, he pleaded with
Jinnah to unite the Muslims, even take over as the first Prime Minister with his choice of Muslim candidates for
Parliament, but separatist Jinnah had already made his mind.
The World Wars of 1914 and 1944 having taken its toll on Europe and Britain in particular, the weary British finally
decided to leave India in 1947 - not the India they had conquered - but an India that was ready to be divided in East
Pakistan and West Pakistan. Now after the much awaited independence was the real test for Gandhi - a test that will
make him or break him - as he started a fast unto death to try and stop the violence that was threatening to break out
into a civil war, not realizing that he had indirectly fanned Hindu extremism, which would later be called the Shiv
Sena, into taking the matter directly in their hands to ensure that Muslims are kept out of their Hindustan forever.
In your own words…
What had Ghandi done before coming to India?
What was the first neccessary thing for him in India?
What was the British reason for not leaving India?
What was the legacy Ghandi left to future generations?
True or false?
The author criticizes Ghandi's policy towards Muslims
Winston Churchill had a high concept of Ghandi
Synonyms
under a prolonged cruel or unjust treatment
one side of something many-sided.
the improvement of something
endangering, causing someone or something to be vulnerable or at risk.
Essay
What do you know about Gandhi and his ideas? Do you think his life and ideas keep something valid for our
world today?
2D Ghandi text