# Dada Abdulla — The Story of My Experiments with Truth character guide

> Dada Abdulla in The Story of My Experiments with Truth by Mahatma Gandhi.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Dada Abdulla, Messrs. Dada Abdulla, Dada Abdulla and Co.

**First appearance:** 0032-part-ii-v-preparing-for-south-africa

## Snapshot

The wealthy South African merchant whose legal case uprooted Gandhi from a fledgling Bombay practice and into a new continent.

## Who they are

Dada Abdulla, head of a prosperous firm in Natal, summons Gandhi to South Africa for a lawsuit, and the assignment, meant to last a year, becomes the hinge of Gandhi's life. The merchant's world of Indian traders abroad exposes Gandhi to racial humiliation and colonial injustice he had never faced in London or Rajkot. What begins as a professional errand for Dada Abdulla turns into the laboratory where Gandhi's political conscience first takes shape.

## Relationships

### [Tyeb Haji Khan Muhammad](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/characters/tyeb_haji_khan_muhammad)

_professional_

Dada Abdulla and Tyeb Haji Khan Muhammad were business partners and leaders in the Indian merchant community in South Africa.

## In the story

### [Preparing for South Africa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-ii-v-preparing-for-south-africa)

The firm Dada Abdulla and Co. offers Gandhi a position in South Africa to assist with their legal case and correspondence.

### [Arrival in Natal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-ii-vi-arrival-in-natal)

His agent arranges the passage; Gandhi interacts with the agent in Bombay.

### [More Hardships](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-ii-ix-more-hardships)

Sends a telegram to ensure Gandhi is met at Standerton.

### [First Day in Pretoria](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-ii-x-first-day-in-pretoria)

Provided Gandhi with a letter of introduction to a friend in Pretoria, though not physically present.

### [Seeking Touch with Indians](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-ii-xii-seeking-touch-with-indians)

Mentioned as having a similar position in Natal as Tyeb Sheth in Pretoria.

### [What It Is to Be a “Coolie”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-ii-xiii-what-it-is-to-be-a-coolie)

Mentioned as the client whose case Gandhi's principal duty was to attend to.

### [Preparation for the Case](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-ii-xiv-preparation-for-the-case)

Plaintiff in the £40,000 case; Gandhi's client who agrees to arbitration and grants instalment payments.

### [Settled in Natal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-ii-xvii-settled-in-natal)

His house becomes a caravanserai and public office; he purchases furniture for Gandhi.

### [Colour Bar](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-ii-xviii-colour-bar)

Mentioned as the firm with which Gandhi had connections, and whose legal adviser was Mr. Escombe.

### [Natal Indian Congress](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-ii-xix-natal-indian-congress)

His spacious room hosts the founding meeting of the Natal Indian Congress.

### [The £3 Tax](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-ii-xxi-the-3-tax)

Referenced as the late Sheth Abubakar Amod, first among Indian merchants in Natal.

### [Return Soon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-ii-xxix-return-soon)

Purchases the steamship Courland and offers Gandhi and his family free passage back to South Africa.

### [The Storm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-iii-ii-the-storm)

His firm supports Gandhi and the passengers, refusing to be intimidated by white residents' threats and indemnification offers.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/characters/dada_abdulla
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/characters