# Hermann Kallenbach — The Story of My Experiments with Truth character guide

> Hermann Kallenbach in The Story of My Experiments with Truth by Mahatma Gandhi.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Kallenbach, Kallenbach

**First appearance:** 0057-part-iii-i-rumblings-of-the-storm

## Snapshot

A German Jewish architect whose transparent affection pulls him into Gandhi's most severe penances at Tolstoy Farm.

## Who they are

Kallenbach is the friend who refuses to let Gandhi travel alone when news of a moral failure among the ashram youth shatters him. When Gandhi imposes a seven-day fast and months of one meal a day as penance, Kallenbach argues against it, then insists on joining. His devotion turns private grief into shared discipline, showing how the satyagraha community bound itself through voluntary suffering rather than punishment.

## Relationships

### [Gopal Krishna Gokhale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/characters/gopal_krishna_gokhale)

_friendship_

Gokhale and Kallenbach were friends through Gandhi, sharing a mutual respect and interest in Indian independence.

## In the story

### [European Contacts (Continued)](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-iv-xii-european-contacts-continued)

Introduced Miss Schlesin to Gandhi and worked closely with her.

### [More Experiments in Dietetics](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-iv-xxvii-more-experiments-in-dietetics)

Chief companion in fasting and dietetic changes during the satyagraha struggle.

### [XXX: Towards Self-Restraint](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-iv-xxx-towards-self-restraint)

Close friend who joined Gandhi in giving up milk and adopting a simple life; they lived together at Tolstoy Farm.

### [Fasting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-iv-xxxi-fasting)

Joined Gandhi in the fasting experiment at Tolstoy Farm.

### [As Schoolmaster](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-iv-xxxii-as-schoolmaster)

Assists with classes, learns shoemaking at a Trappist monastery, and teaches carpentry and gardening.

### [Tares Among the Wheat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-iv-xxxv-tares-among-the-wheat)

Raises concern about the moral risk to Gandhi's sons from associating with unruly boys.

### [Fasting as Penance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-iv-xxxvi-fasting-as-penance)

Insists on accompanying Gandhi to Phoenix and joins him in the seven-day fast out of affection and solidarity.

### [To Meet Gokhale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-iv-xxxvii-to-meet-gokhale)

Travels with Gandhi; participates in a symbolic act of throwing away his binoculars to embrace simplicity.

### [XLI: Gokhale’s Charity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-iv-xli-gokhale-s-charity)

Accompanies Gandhi to meet Gokhale, shows war geography on a map, and supports Gandhi's dietary decision.

### [Homeward](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-iv-xliii-homeward)

Accompanied Gandhi to England but denied passport to India; returns to South Africa.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/characters/hermann_kallenbach
- 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