Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

Translator's Preface

Author of the autobiography, whose meaning was carefully revised by himself.

Part I

The author and narrator, reflecting on his early life and experiments with truth.

Birth and Parentage

The author and narrator, born in Porbandar in 1869, reflecting on his family background and early childhood.

Childhood

The narrator, recalling his childhood experiences in Rajkot, his shyness, honesty, and the moral lessons from plays.

Child Marriage

The narrator, married at thirteen, reflects on the event with shame and regret.

Playing the Husband

Reflects on his youthful jealousy, possessiveness, and failed efforts to educate Kasturbai, acknowledging his lustful love as an obstacle.

At the High School

Narrator and subject of the chapter; reflects on his school experiences, character, and academic challenges.

A Tragedy

Narrates his childhood fears, desire for strength, and secret meat-eating experiment influenced by a friend.

A Tragedy (Continued)

Describes his internal conflict, guilt, and decision to abstain from meat while his parents are alive; reflects on his moral lapses and jealousy towards his wife.

VIII: Stealing and Atonement

Narrates his childhood thefts and the transformative experience of confessing to his father.

My Father’s Death and My Double Shame

The narrator, a sixteen-year-old student and devoted son, who feels deep shame for his lustful thoughts and actions during his father's final illness.

Glimpses of Religion

Recounts his childhood religious experiences and growing conviction that truth is the basis of all morality.

Preparation for England

The narrator and protagonist, determined to go to England for legal studies.

Outcaste

The narrator and protagonist, determined to go to England despite caste opposition.

In London at Last

Arrives in London, struggles with shyness, language barriers, and cultural adaptation; adheres to vegetarian vow; feels homesick but resolves to stay.

XIV: My Choice

Narrates his experience in England, his vow of vegetarianism, and his search for a vegetarian restaurant.

Playing the English Gentleman

Deepens his study of vegetarianism, resists peer pressure to eat meat, and briefly adopts English gentlemanly pursuits before abandoning them.

Changes

Narrates his experiments in frugality, self-discipline, and academic pursuits in England.

Experiments in Dietetics

Narrator and subject of the chapter; conducts dietary experiments and reflects on vows.

Shyness My Shield

Describes his shyness in public speaking, his role in the Vegetarian Society committee, and his written protest against Dr. Allinson's exclusion.

The Canker of Untruth

Narrates his experience as a student in England, his initial dissembling about being married, and his eventual confession to an elderly widow.

Acquaintance with Religions

Explores religious texts including the Gita, The Light of Asia, and the Bible; attends Bradlaugh's funeral; declines joining the Theosophical Society.

XXI: निर्बल के बल राम

Narrates his spiritual trial at Portsmouth, reflecting on God's saving grace and the importance of prayer.

XXII: Narayan Hemchandra

Narrator and friend to Narayan Hemchandra; lives frugally, cooks for himself, and acts as interpreter during the visit to Cardinal Manning.

The Great Exhibition

Visits the Paris Exhibition, ascends the Eiffel Tower, stays at a vegetarian restaurant, and reflects on the spiritual significance of churches.

Called—But Then?

Narrates his experience of being called to the bar, his rigorous study of law, and his feelings of helplessness despite passing the examinations.

My Helplessness

The narrator, feeling helpless and anxious about his legal career.

Raychandbhai

Reflects on his spiritual search and his return to India, learning of his mother's death.

How I Began Life

Returns to India, faces caste excommunication, attempts legal practice, and reflects on personal reforms and relationships.

The First Case

Narrates his early legal career in Bombay, including his first case and decision to avoid court.

The First Shock

Returns to Rajkot to practice law, compromises on commission principle, and suffers a humiliating encounter with a British officer.

Preparing for South Africa

Depressed by the political intrigues in Kathiawad and seeking to leave India, he accepts a one-year contract to work for Dada Abdulla and Co. in South Africa.

Arrival in Natal

Narrator and protagonist; departs for South Africa, reflects on his relationship with his wife, and undergoes moral trials during the voyage.

Some Experiences

Arrives in Durban, observes social dynamics, refuses to remove turban in court, and defends his action in the press.

On the Way to Pretoria

Prepares for the Pretoria case, studies bookkeeping, and experiences racial discrimination on the train at Maritzburg.

More Hardships

Persists in seeking first-class travel despite racial insults and physical assault; uses legal knowledge and personal appeal to secure a ticket.

First Day in Pretoria

Arrives in Pretoria alone, finds lodging with help from a stranger, meets Mr. Baker, and begins to reflect on religious study.

Christian Contacts

Engages in religious discussions, attends prayer meetings, and defends his Vaishnava necklace.

Seeking Touch with Indians

Delivers his first public speech, organizes meetings, teaches English, and studies Indian conditions in Pretoria.

What It Is to Be a “Coolie”

Narrates his personal experiences of racial discrimination in South Africa, including being kicked off a footpath and obtaining a late-night pass from Dr. Krause.

Preparation for the Case

Narrator and central figure; gains legal experience and learns the value of compromise in Pretoria.

Religious Ferment

Engages in intense religious questioning, attends the Wellington Convention, corresponds with religious authorities, and studies various scriptures.

Man Proposes, God Disposes

Attends his own farewell party, discovers the Indian Franchise Bill, and decides to stay to lead the opposition.

Settled in Natal

Organizes the community's opposition to the Franchise Bill, drafts petitions, and decides to settle in Natal after securing legal retainers.

Colour Bar

Applies for admission as an advocate, faces opposition from the Law Society, and obeys the court order to remove his turban.

Natal Indian Congress

Founder and secretary of the Natal Indian Congress; leads fundraising, organizes meetings, and writes pamphlets for propaganda.

Balasundaram

Acts as legal advocate for Balasundaram, securing his release from an abusive employer and becoming a trusted figure among indentured laborers.

The £3 Tax

Organizes opposition to the £3 tax and leads the Natal Indian Congress campaign.

Comparative Study of Religions

Narrator and central figure; engaged in comparative religious study and self-introspection.

As a Householder

Narrator and central figure; reflects on his household experiment, trust, and moral awakening.

Homeward

Narrates his voyage home, his language studies, and his spiritual discussions with the captain.

In India

Returns to India, writes the Green Pamphlet, and volunteers for sanitation work during the plague outbreak.

Two Passions

Reflects on his loyalty to the British Constitution and his passion for nursing, and seeks advice from prominent leaders in Bombay.

The Bombay Meeting

Attends the Bombay meeting, writes and delivers a speech, and reflects on his resolve to serve in South Africa.

Poona and Madras

Travels to Poona and Madras to build support for the South African cause, meeting key political figures and addressing public meetings.

Return Soon

Arrives in Calcutta to rally support for the South African cause, faces rejection, but gains an ally in Mr. Saunders before being recalled to Durban.

I: Rumblings of the Storm

Narrator and central figure; reflects on his role as husband and teacher, his views on civilization, and his actions during the storm.

The Storm

Leads and comforts passengers during the quarantine, delivers a speech on Western civilization, and maintains nonviolent principles despite threats.

The Test

Arrives in Durban, assaulted by mob, refuses to prosecute assailants.

The Calm After the Storm

Narrates the aftermath of the lynching, his interview, and his work expanding the Natal Indian Congress.

Education of Children

Reflects on his educational experiments with his children, his struggles to provide them with proper schooling, and his justification for prioritizing home education and liberty over formal degrees.

Spirit of Service

Narrates his shift from legal work to service, nursing a leper and volunteering at St. Aidan's Mission hospital, and studying child-rearing.

Brahmacharya—I

The narrator and central figure, grappling with the decision to take a vow of brahmacharya.

Brahmacharya—II

Takes the vow of brahmacharya in 1906, reflects on its practice and challenges.

Simple Life

Narrator and protagonist; practices self-help by washing his own collars and cutting his own hair, embracing simplicity and imperviousness to ridicule.

The Boer War

Organizes and leads the Indian ambulance corps during the Boer War, driven by loyalty to the British Empire.

Sanitary Reform and Famine Relief

Leads sanitary reform and famine relief efforts in Natal.

Return to India

Decides to return to India, struggles with accepting costly gifts, and ultimately creates a trust to return them for community service.

In India Again

Returns to India, attends the Congress session in Calcutta, observes and criticizes the lack of service, untouchability, and insanitation, and personally cleans latrines.

Clerk and Bearer

Offers his services at the Congress office, performs clerical work, and assists Sjt. Ghosal with personal tasks.

In the Congress

Nervous and overwhelmed at his first Congress, he presents a resolution on South Africa with Gokhale's support but is disheartened by the lack of genuine debate.

Lord Curzon’s Durbar

Stays in Calcutta, joins the India Club, and later stays with Gokhale; observes and reflects on the durbar.

A Month with Gokhale—I

Narrator and observer of Gokhale's habits and teachings; advocates for exercise and simplicity.

A Month with Gokhale—II

Narrates his experiences in Calcutta, including meeting Christian Indians and visiting the Kali temple.

A Month with Gokhale—III

Narrator and protagonist; explores religious institutions, meets prominent figures, and embarks on a third-class tour.

In Benares

Narrator and protagonist; travels third class, visits Kashi Vishvanath temple, and calls for reform of railway conditions.

Settled in Bombay?

Reflects on his legal career, his reluctance to use flattery, and his decision to move to Bombay.

Faith on Its Trial

Gandhi is the narrator and central figure, grappling with the moral dilemma of adhering to his vegetarian principles while his son is critically ill.

To South Africa Again

Narrates his return to South Africa, his professional life in Bombay, and his decision to leave his family behind.

Love's Labour's Lost?

Leads the Indian deputation, prepares the case for Indians in Transvaal, and secures a permit with help from Superintendent Alexander.

Autocrats from Asia

Enters the Transvaal with a permit and is summoned by the Asiatic Department chief, who orders him to leave and forbids him from meeting Mr. Chamberlain.

Pocketed the Insult

Advises the community to swallow the insult of being excluded from the deputation, decides to stay in the Transvaal and set up a legal practice in Johannesburg.

Quickened Spirit of Sacrifice

Narrator and central figure; reflects on his past decisions regarding life insurance and his changing spiritual outlook.

Result of Introspection

Deepens study of the Gita, memorizes verses, and adopts non-possession and equability as guiding principles.

A Sacrifice to Vegetarianism

Narrates his deepening commitment to vegetarianism as a mission, his financial misstep in lending trust money, and the lesson he learned from the experience.

Experiments in Earth and Water Treatment

Narrates his personal health struggles and experiments with earth and water treatments.

A Warning

Author and subject; reflects on his dietary experiments, spiritual convictions, and the compromise of his vow for milk.

A Tussle with Power

Leads the effort to expose corruption in the Asiatic Department, collects evidence, and cooperates with the Police Commissioner.

A Sacred Recollection and Penance

Recounts a domestic conflict with his wife over cleaning a chamber pot, reflecting on his past blindness as a husband and his evolving views on marriage and brahmacharya.

Intimate European Contacts

Narrator and central figure; describes his practice of living with English friends and his method of writing the autobiography as an experiment with truth.

European Contacts (Continued)

Narrates his need for clerical help and his hiring of European stenographers in Johannesburg.

Indian Opinion

De facto editor and financial backer of Indian Opinion; poured his soul into its columns and used it to expound satyagraha.

XIV: Coolie Locations or Ghettoes?

Legal adviser for Indian tenants in Johannesburg location; sets aside half his fees for a hospital; works closely with indentured laborers.

The Black Plague—I

Cycled to the location, wrote to the Town Clerk, and nursed plague patients through the night.

The Black Plague—II

Leads the nursing effort, uses earth treatment, and recruits Mr. West for the press.

Location in Flames

Coordinates plague relief, acts as banker for location residents, and advises Indians to comply with Municipality orders.

The Magic Spell of a Book

Narrator and protagonist; reflects on his credulity and the impact of Ruskin's book.

The Phoenix Settlement

Leads the establishment of the Phoenix Settlement, inspired by 'Unto This Last'.

The First Night

Leads the effort to publish the first issue, suggests using hand-power, and works alongside carpenters.

Polak Takes the Plunge

Reflects on his plans for Phoenix Settlement and his inability to stay there permanently; invites Polak and MacIntyre to join his office.

Whom God Protects

Treats his son's broken arm with earth poultices; encourages Polak and West to marry; acts as best man at Polak's wedding.

A Peep Into the Household

Describes his household reforms, parenting philosophy, and conviction to prioritize character and mother-tongue education over literary training.

The Zulu “Rebellion”

Forms and leads the Indian Ambulance Corps, nurses wounded Zulus, and dispenses prescriptions for white soldiers.

Heart Searchings

Reflects on the Zulu rebellion, ponders brahmacharya, and takes the vow of lifelong celibacy.

The Birth of Satyagraha

Narrator and central figure, reflecting on the origins of satyagraha and his personal experiments.

More Experiments in Dietetics

Narrator and subject of the dietary experiments, seeking purity and self-restraint.

Kasturbai’s Courage

Refuses to allow beef tea for his wife, even at risk of her death, and supports her decision to reject it.

Domestic Satyagraha

Narrates his experiments with self-restraint and diet, and initiates a domestic satyagraha by vowing to give up salt and pulses.

Fasting

Describes his personal experiments with fasting for self-restraint and brahmacharya, and his role in encouraging others at Tolstoy Farm to join in fasting.

As Schoolmaster

Assumes the role of paterfamilias and teacher at Tolstoy Farm, focusing on character building and manual training.

Literary Training

As the teacher, he struggles with exhaustion and limited literary knowledge but uses oral instruction and honesty to educate students on Tolstoy Farm.

Training of the Spirit

Teacher and spiritual guide at Tolstoy Farm, reflecting on his methods and a pivotal moment of corporal punishment.

Tares Among the Wheat

Defends his educational philosophy of mixing good and bad children.

Fasting as Penance

Imposes a seven-day fast and a four-and-a-half-month vow of one meal a day as penance for the moral lapse of two Ashram inmates; later undertakes a fourteen-day fast.

To Meet Gokhale

Narrator and central figure; travels third class, discusses simplicity, and struggles with health after a fast.

My Part in the War

Arrives in England, organizes Indian volunteers for war service, undergoes first aid training, and helps sew clothes for soldiers.

A Spiritual Dilemma

Author and protagonist, wrestling with the spiritual dilemma of reconciling ahimsa with wartime service.

Miniature Satyagraha

Leads the Volunteer Corps and attempts to mediate the conflict with the Commanding Officer, ultimately falling ill with pleurisy.

XLI: Gokhale’s Charity

Suffering from pleurisy, he defends his fruitarian diet and refuses to take milk despite pressure from Gokhale and Dr. Jivraj Mehta.

Treatment of Pleurisy

Suffers from pleurisy, adheres to dietary vows, and follows Dr. Allinson's advice.

Some Reminiscences of the Bar

Narrator and central figure, reflecting on his legal practice and adherence to truth.

Sharp Practice?

Argues the case before the Supreme Court, defends himself against the judge's suspicion of sharp practice, and secures a favorable outcome.

Clients Turned Coworkers

Reflects on his legal practice in the Transvaal, his commitment to truth, and how his honesty earned client trust.

How a Client Was Saved

Advises Rustomji to confess and negotiates with authorities to settle the case without trial.

The First Experience

Returns to India, reflects on the Phoenix party's placement, and protests the use of English at a Gujarati reception.

With Gokhale in Poona

Arrives in Bombay, meets the Governor, and travels to Poona to meet Gokhale and the Servants of India Society.

Was It a Threat?

Travels third class, advocates for removal of Viramgam customs cordon, and defends satyagraha as a nonviolent remedy.

Shantiniketan

Visits Shantiniketan, proposes and oversees a self-help cooking experiment, and leaves upon receiving news of Gokhale's death.

Woes of Third-Class Passengers

Narrates his struggles as a third-class passenger and his regret over compromising truth for his wife's comfort.

Wooing

Narrates his efforts to join the Servants of India Society after Gokhale's death, ultimately withdrawing his application to preserve unity.

Kumbha Mela

Narrator and central figure; travels to Rangoon, attends Kumbha Mela, leads volunteer work, and takes a vow of dietary restriction.

Lakshman Jhula

Reflects on his past decisions regarding the sacred thread and shikha, and discusses religious symbols with a Swami.

Founding of the Ashram

Founder of the Satyagraha Ashram, decides on Ahmedabad as the location and names the Ashram.

X: On the Anvil

Leads the Ashram, decides to accept the untouchable family, and manages internal and external opposition.

Abolition of Indentured Emigration

Leads the all-India agitation against indentured emigration, meets with Viceroy, tours the country, and endures third-class travel hardships.

The Stain of Indigo

Narrator and protagonist, agrees to visit Champaran after persistent urging by Rajkumar Shukla.

The Gentle Bihari

Arrives in Bihar to investigate the condition of ryots, decides to abandon legal recourse in favor of freeing peasants from fear.

Face to Face with Ahimsa

Leads the inquiry into Champaran agriculturists' grievances, disobeys order to leave, and faces trial.

Case Withdrawn

Leads the Champaran struggle, pleads guilty in court, and receives permission to conduct the inquiry.

Methods of Work

Leads the Champaran inquiry, decides on funding and methods, and interacts with planters and C.I.D. officers.

Penetrating the Villages

Organizes village schools, medical relief, and sanitation; narrates experiences of poverty and volunteer work.

When a Governor Is Good

Leads the inquiry into ryots' grievances, negotiates with the government, and serves on the committee.

A Peep Into the Ashram

Describes the Ashram's relocation and his personal attraction to the site near the Sabarmati Central Jail.

The Fast

Undertakes a fast to prevent the mill-hands from breaking their strike pledge; reflects on the moral implications of fasting against mill-owners.

The Kheda Satyagraha

President of the Gujarat Sabha; advises the Patidars to resort to satyagraha after petitions fail.

The Onion Thief

Leader of the Kheda Satyagraha, advising on principles of satyagraha and directing the onion removal action.

End of Kheda Satyagraha

Leads the Kheda Satyagraha and negotiates its end; expresses dissatisfaction with the settlement's lack of grace but acknowledges the campaign's lasting impact.

Passion for Unity

Attends the Viceroy's war conference in Delhi, driven by a passion for Hindu-Muslim unity and a desire to support the Ali brothers' release and the Khilafat cause.

Recruiting Campaign

Attends the Viceregal conference, supports the recruiting resolution, writes a letter to the Viceroy, and leads the recruiting campaign in Kheda.

Near Death's Door

Narrator and central figure, suffering from severe dysentery and fever, refusing medical aid and meat-based remedies, and later undergoing ice treatment.

The Rowlatt Bills and My Dilemma

Recovering from illness, he reads the Rowlatt Committee report and initiates the satyagraha movement against it, while also struggling with the moral compromise of taking goat's milk.

That Wonderful Spectacle!

Narrates the chapter; conceives the idea of a hartal in a dream; travels to Madras despite weak health; discusses civil disobedience strategy.

That Memorable Week!—I

Narrator and central figure; organizes the hartal, sells proscribed literature, is arrested and detained.

That Memorable Week!—II

Meets with Commissioner Griffith in Bombay, argues for nonviolence, then returns to Ahmedabad to address the crisis, declares a penitential fast and suspends satyagraha.

A Himalayan Miscalculation

Reflects on his Himalayan miscalculation and works to educate the public on satyagraha.

Navajivan and Young India

Decides not to proceed to the Punjab despite pressure, takes over editorship of Young India and Navajivan, and uses them to educate the public on satyagraha.

XXXV: In the Punjab

Narrator and central figure; organizes the non-official inquiry into Punjab atrocities and drafts the report.

XXXVI: The Khilafat Against Cow Protection?

Attends the Delhi conference, argues against mixing Khilafat and cow protection, introduces the term 'noncooperation', and debates boycott strategies.

The Amritsar Congress

Narrates his role in the Amritsar Congress, his advocacy for accepting the reforms, and his distress over differing with esteemed leaders.

Congress Initiation

Describes his real entrance into Congress politics and his roles as trustee and constitution framer.

The Birth of Khadi

Narrator and central figure; describes his ignorance of spinning, his impatience to learn, and his discovery of Gangabehn.

XL: Found at Last!

Led the khadi movement, experimented with spinning, and advocated for hand-spun cloth.

An Instructive Dialogue

Defends the khadi movement and explains his focus on hand-spun cloth to empower rural women.

XLII: Its Rising Tide

Narrator and central figure; drafts the noncooperation resolution, corrects omission of 'nonviolent,' and incorporates swaraj demand.

At Nagpur

Presented the draft constitution and participated in the debates on delegate numbers and the goal of swaraj.

Farewell

Author and narrator, reflecting on his experiments with truth and ahimsa, and his decision to conclude the autobiography.