# Maganlal Gandhi — The Story of My Experiments with Truth character guide

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

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Maganlal Gandhi, Gandhi, Maganlal

**First appearance:** 0050-part-ii-xxiii-as-a-householder

## Snapshot

Gandhi's cousin and trusted manager who kept Phoenix and Tolstoy Farm running while their founder was elsewhere.

## Who they are

Maganlal belongs to the family-and-ashram web that made Gandhi's public life possible, taking on the unglamorous labor of running settlements and instructing the young. His role sits at the intersection of kinship and conviction, where relatives became coworkers in an experiment that demanded as much of them as of strangers. The farms' survival depended on such steady hands, not on Gandhi's charisma alone.

## In the story

### [To South Africa Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-iii-xxiii-to-south-africa-again)

One of the youths Gandhi takes with him to South Africa, whom he later guides successfully.

### [The Phoenix Settlement](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-iv-xix-the-phoenix-settlement)

Leaves his business to join Gandhi at Phoenix, becoming a foremost coworker in ethical experiments.

### [Polak Takes the Plunge](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-iv-xxi-polak-takes-the-plunge)

Becomes an expert compositor and press worker at Phoenix, surpassing expectations.

### [Heart Searchings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-iv-xxv-heart-searchings)

Discussed the vow of brahmacharya with Gandhi and accepted its necessity.

### [The Birth of Satyagraha](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-iv-xxvi-the-birth-of-satyagraha)

Coined the word 'Sadagraha' which Gandhi later refined to 'satyagraha'.

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

Referred to as Sjt. Pragji Desai in the text; helps with classes and manual work.

### [Shantiniketan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-v-iv-shantiniketan)

Leads the Phoenix family at Shantiniketan, ensuring adherence to Ashram rules.

### [Woes of Third-Class Passengers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-v-v-woes-of-third-class-passengers)

Travels with Gandhi and manages to secure a seat in third class at Mogalsarai.

### [Kumbha Mela](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-v-vii-kumbha-mela)

Precedes Gandhi to Hardvar to assist with volunteer work; executes the latrine cleaning duties.

### [Lakshman Jhula](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-v-viii-lakshman-jhula)

Cousin Chhaganlal Gandhi, whom Gandhi persuaded to remove his shikha in South Africa.

### [X: On the Anvil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-v-x-on-the-anvil)

Informs Gandhi that funds are exhausted, prompting the threat of moving to the untouchables' quarter.

### [A Peep Into the Ashram](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-v-xxi-a-peep-into-the-ashram)

Entrusted with the execution of the Ashram's removal and construction.

### [The Fast](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-v-xxii-the-fast)

Suggests employing strikers to carry sand for the Ashram's weaving school foundation.

### [The Birth of Khadi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-v-xxxix-the-birth-of-khadi)

Mastered weaving art at the Ashram and trained new weavers.

### [XL: Found at Last!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-v-xl-found-at-last)

Improved the spinning wheel with his mechanical talent, leading to manufacture of wheels and accessories at the Ashram.

## Links

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