Essay on Mahatma Gandhi In English for Students and Children

Mahatma Gandhi is a famous historical figure. He is known as the father of our nation and is well-regarded by all the country’s citizens and people worldwide. Most Indian children are familiar with Gandhiji and learn about his contribution to the Indian freedom struggle in school. Students may be asked to write an essay on Gandhiji as a class exercise or for a test or competition.  

For this assignment, they must learn and remember facts about his life and how he fought for India’s independence. This may sound challenging for some children, but with guidance, they will be able to write this essay on their own. Here is an essay on Mahatma Gandhi for classes 1, 2 and 3 that will help school children with their assignments. 

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Key Points To Remember When Writing An Essay On Mahatma Gandhi 

The essay about Mahatma Gandhi is slightly different from essays on general topics. Children need to remember accurate facts and weave a good narrative for these kinds of topics. If you are tasked with writing a Mahatma Gandhi essay in English, the following is for you. Here are some essential points to remember: 

• Before starting the essay, it is important to remember facts such as names, places, events and dates accurately.

• For short essays, stick to facts about Gandhi and do not dive deep into any specific topics.

• For longer essays, start the introduction about the importance of the man in Indian history.

• Talk about his early life and work and transition to the ideology of Gandhiji.

• Finally, end the essay with his impact on the nation and how he inspired people.

5 Lines On Mahatma Gandhi 

Mahatma Gandhi, a beacon of peace and non-violence, played a pivotal role in India’s struggle for independence, inspiring countless generations. In just a few lines on Mahatma Gandhi for class 1, students can learn about his remarkable life and values, making it a perfect starting point for a simple essay on Mahatma Gandhi. 

1. Mahatma Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, in India and is known as a great leader.
2. He taught people to be kind and to solve problems without fighting.
3. Gandhi wanted India to be free from British rule, so he chose non-violence and led peaceful marches.
4. One famous march was the Salt March, where he walked a long way to make salt from the sea.
5. Gandhi’s ideas of peace and love still help people today.

10 Lines On Mahatma Gandhi 

Children of lower primary classes may be asked to write a short essay on Mahatma Gandhi. This can be done by writing ten lines about Mahatma Gandhi. Below are the top ten factual lines about Mahatma Gandhi that will help you write a perfect essay on Gandhiji, the national personality: 

1. Mahatma Gandhi is well-known as a freedom fighter and the father of our nation. He is popularly called Bapu.

2. He was born in Porbandar, Gujarat on October 2, 1869.

3. His father’s name was Karamchand Gandhi, and his mother’s name was Putlibai Gandhi.

4. Gandhiji was married to Kasturba Kapadia.

5. He went to London to pursue his higher education.

6. He worked in South Africa as a civil rights activist and fought against racial discrimination.

7. In 1915 he started the Indian National Congress party.

8. Gandhiji was a firm believer in ahimsa, which means non-violence, and followed the path of satya vachan, which means being truthful.

9. As a leader of the freedom struggle, he began his first anti-British movement in 1917.

10. He was shot to death on January 30, 1948.

Paragraph On Mahatma Gandhi

Before writing longer essays, we should practice writing a paragraph on Mahatma Gandhi in 100 words. Here’s a short paragraph on Mahatma Gandhi to aid that. Let’s look at the paragraph on this national personality.  

Mahatma Gandhi, born October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, India, is one of India’s most iconic historical figures. He has several monikers, such as ‘the Father of the Nation’, ‘Bapu’, ‘Mahatma’, ‘Rashtrapita‘, and many more. Gandhiji is popular for his non-violence (Ahimsa) and civil disobedience philosophy. He is also known for his simplicity, truthfulness, and dedication to social justice. Lakhs of people joined Mahatma Gandhi in his journey to free India from the colonial rule. He and his supporters organised movements like the Dandi March (Salt March) and the Quit India Movement, eventually leading to India’s independence in 1947. He was assassinated on January 30, 1948, but his principles and message endure as a beacon of hope and unity. 

Short Essay On Mahatma Gandhi 

When asked to write a short essay on Mahatma Gandhi, students can list the highlights they remember about Gandhiji’s life and weave them into a paragraph. Here is a sample essay on Mahatma Gandhi in 150 to 200 words: 

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi is the most popular historical figure in the nation. He was born in Porbandar, Gujarat, on October 2, 1869. His family was affluent, and he had a good reputation as a quiet-natured boy. He went to London for his higher education, where he studied law and became a Barrister. Upon his return to India, he practised law at the Bombay High Court. 

Gandhiji later moved to South Africa to work but soon lost interest in law. Instead, he joined hands with the natives there to start satyagraha—a non-violent protest against the oppression of Europeans. He soon returned to India and joined the struggle for independence from British rule. 

He was a simple man who taught simplicity and self-reliance to the people in India. He encouraged them to boycott foreign goods and make their Swadeshi goods. He was loved and respected by people of all communities. 

As a freedom fighter, Gandhi was a man of firm conviction. During his freedom struggle, the British had put him in jail several times, where he endured extreme hardships. To honour his role in the freedom struggle, his birthday is a national holiday to pay homage to him and everyone who stood with him. 

Long Essay On Mahatma Gandhi 

A long essay on Gandhi requires students to know and remember several details on his life and write them with a good narrative. Writing a Mahatma Gandhi essay in English in 500 words or more is not difficult. Here is a sample essay for class 3 students on Mahatma Gandhi: 

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, also called Mahatma Gandhi, is the father of our nation. He was a freedom fighter, national leader, and social reformer who worked tirelessly to make India independent. Famous poet Rabindranath Tagore gave him the title of Mahatma. In Sanskrit, ‘Mahatma’ means ‘Great Soul’. He was given this name for his non-violent approach to the freedom movement, contributions to social reform, and convictions to lead a simple life. Since his time, Gandhiji and his philosophy have inspired all social reform movements. 

Birth And Childhood

Mahatma Gandhi, aka Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, was born on 2 October 1869 in the small town of Porbandar, Gujarat. His father, Karamchand Uttamchand Gandhi, was the Diwan of Porbandar and Rajkot and also a court official in Porbandar. Born to a religious woman, Putlibai Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi became one of the top representatives in India’s struggle for independence from British colonial rule, known for his philosophy of non-violence (Ahimsa) and civil disobedience.

Marriage And Education

Gandhiji was raised with simplicity, although he was from an affluent family. He was a firm believer in non-violence, which was reflected in his approach to anything he did. Gandhiji went to England in 1888 to study law and become a barrister. After Gandhiji moved to Africa as a lawyer, he soon quit his profession to join the local people in their struggle against European oppression. He spent 20 years fighting discrimination in South Africa before returning to India.

Contribution To India’s Independence

The people who followed him loved his ideology of ‘Ahimsa‘ or non-violence. He realised early on that there was a great force in the philosophy of non-violence at a mass level for the freedom movement. He believed in self-reliance and made his clothes, which started the ‘Khadi movement’. He urged Indians to boycott foreign products and make their own to increase self-reliance. The British put him in jail many times because of his strong stand. His efforts, combined with the sacrifices of all freedom fighters, were successful, and India gained independence.  

Mahatma Gandhi and his non-violent approach have been appreciated throughout history, and he became a global role model. His legacy extends beyond India’s borders, inspiring worldwide movements for civil rights, freedom, and social change. Bapu’s teachings and practices continue to be a model of inspiration for those advocating peace, justice, and human rights. He will continue inspiring people everywhere to build a better and more just world for generations. 

Major Movements of Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi led several successful campaigns and movements in his time to achieve independence from the colonial government, Let’s talk about some of the major movements of Gandhiji in detail:

1. Champaran and Kheda Satyagraha (1917 – 1918)

Gandhi’s early Satyagrahas (non-violent resistance) in Champaran and Kheda addressed issues faced by indigo and cotton farmers, respectively. Due to meagre agriculture production and crop failure due to unfavourable weather along with high taxation, the situation of farmers deteriorated drastically. Along with farmers and several supporters, Mahatma Gandhi started protests and strikes that eventually led to the British noting the farmers’ demands and doing what was needful for them.

2. Khilafat Movement (1919)

Mahatma Gandhi supported the Khilafat Movement, started by Ali brothers in Turkey against the unfair treatment of Turkey after the First World War, which aimed to protect the Ottoman Empire’s caliphate. He presided over the All India Conference in Delhi and even returned the awards he achieved in the British Empire’s South Africa. He came to the limelight of many Indians for his doings against the British empire, which eventually strengthened his position as a national leader.

3. Non-Cooperation Movement (1920)

The Civil Disobedience Movement aimed to fight unjust laws peacefully with the assistance from the Congress. Under the leadership of Gandhiji, several Indians refused to obey certain British laws and pay taxes. People began boycotting British goods and services, which resulted in mass arrests and heightened global awareness. However, after the Chauri Chaura incident with the killing of 23 police officers, Gandhiji put a stop to the movement.

4. Civil-Disobedience Movement (1930)

The Non-Cooperation Movement aimed at the boycotting of British institutions, schools, and goods by Indians. Several students dropped out of college, and many government employees quit their British jobs. People also boycotted imported clothing, refused to pay taxes, held protests, etc. Millions of people supported and participated in this movement, and it marked a turning point in India’s fight for independence.

5. Quit India Movement (1942)

The Quit India Movement in 1942 finally demanded to put an immediate end to British rule in India. Gandhiji started this movement on August 8, 1942, during World War II, calling it “Quit India”. Because of this movement, several representatives of the Indian National Congress were arrested by the British government, eventually leading to widespread protests and strikes. In the end, the British government decided to surrender control to India and exit from India.

What Will Your Child Learn From An Essay On Mahatma Gandhi?

Writing about Mahatma Gandhi in a school essay is an important assignment for children. Being one of India’s most regarded historical personalities, it is beneficial for them to learn about his life and role in India’s freedom struggle for academics and as a proud citizen of the country. This topic is more factual, so students will have to write based on their knowledge rather than their feelings or imagination. In this essay, children will learn how to memorise facts and write a composition on them for exams and assignments. They will learn how to weave a good story about a person in history and explain the relevance to the present.

Interesting Facts About Mahatma Gandhi For Kids

Here are some facts about Mahatma Gandhi that will surely help your kids:

1. Although Mahatma Gandhiji’s real name is Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, people across the nation address him as ‘Bapu’ in Gujarati, as it is entitled as the ‘Father of the Nation.’

2. Before fighting for India’s independence, Mahatma Gandhi worked as a barrister.

3. Albert Einstein admired Gandhiji very much. After Bapu’s death, the scientist quotes, ‘Generations to come will scarce believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth.’

4. Gandhiji followed a simplistic life and wore hand-spun khadi cloth.

5. Mahatma Gandhi had four children – Manilal, Harilal, Devdas, and Ramdas.

6. There are several roads and streets named in honour of Gandhiji.

7. In 1930, Bapu was accredited with the Time Magazine Man of the Year.

8. To date, Indian currency notes bear the photo monogram of Mahatma Gandhi.

9. Inspired by Gandhiji’s non-violence philosophy, Martin Luther fought for civil rights peacefully in the United States.

10. On January 30, 1948, Mahatma Gandhi was tragically assassinated by a man named Nathuram Godse.

FAQs

1. How did Gandhi’s Philosophy Influence Other Leaders?

Gandhiji’s philosophy of non-violence (Ahimsa) and peaceful protests have a profound influence on leaders across the world. Martin Luther King Jr. Adopted Gandhiji’s principles to fight against racial segregation and discrimination peacefully in the United States. Similarly, Nelson Mandela from South Africa took inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi’s principles to seek justice against apartheid and racial oppression. Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi took Gandhi’s non-violence philosophy as a role model for her campaign for democratic reforms and human rights. Other world leaders who took inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi include Desmond Tutu (South Africa), Lech Wałęsa (Poland), Cesar Chavez (USA), and more.

2. How can Gandhi’s Ideals be Applied in Today’s World?

Children can adopt the philosophies of non-violence (ahimsa), truthfulness (satya), self-discipline (tapasya), and service to others (seva) from Gandhiji. Children can learn to always speak the truth, be kind to people, and always lend a helping hand to people in need.

3. What are Some Famous Books Written by Mahatma Gandhi?

‘My Experiments With Truth’ is a renowned autobiography penned by Mahatma Gandhi. Other popular books written by him include ‘The Young India’, ‘Hind Swaraj’, and India of My Dreams.’

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