Gandhi arrived in South Africa at age 24 to work as a lawyer. He faced significant discrimination as a non-white person and had several experiences of being removed from trains and denied equal treatment. This led him to fight for justice and equality for Indians living in South Africa. He went on to found the Natal Indian Congress to organize the Indian community and lobby against discriminatory laws. Through non-violent protests and civil disobedience inspired by his philosophy of satyagraha, he was able to successfully oppose a bill that would have disenfranchised Indians. After 21 years in South Africa developing his protest methods, Gandhi said "I am born in India but made in South Africa," having found his calling as

1. MAHATAMA GANDHI -
Life In South Africa
Presentation By:
ACHYUT RANJAN BHARATI
CS-15

2. An Introduction
• Born in Porbandar(2nd Oct 1869). Son of Karamchand
Gandhi and Putlibai.
• Gandhi’s father valued truth and virtues more than
wealth and power. His mother was a religious woman.
Being a Vaishnavite she believed in non violence.
• Aspired to study law in England- crossing ocean
considered as sin-excommunicated-beginning of social
hostility in his life.
• In London, John Ruskin’s writings : Western humanism
Leo Tolstoy’s writings : Dignity of labour
Offered a job in April,1893 in South Africa.

3. 1) Arrived in SA at the age of 24, as a
newly qualified lawyer.
2) In a court was asked to remove the
Turban from
his head.
3) Disturbed by the immensity
Of discrimination(color) in South
Africa.
4) Had to face a lot of discrimination
himself not being a “ WHITE”.
5) Went for a short period but stayed
for 21 yrs.
6) Developed philosophy of
Satyagraha.
MK Gandhi : “I am born in India but
made in South Africa.”

4. The Train Incident
1) BOUGHT A FIRST CLASS TICKET (DURBAN-JOHANNESBURG ).
2) AT PETERMANNESBURG A WHITE MAN REFUSED TO SHARE THE
COMPARTMENT WITH A DARKY.
3) INSISTED GANDHI TO GO TO BE SHIFTED TO THIRD CLASS.
4) THROWN OUT OF TRAIN ON PROTESTING.
5) THAT COLD NIGHT AT RAILWAY STATION HE DECIDED TO FIGHT FOR
JUSTICE .

5. Indian Natal Congress
1) Gandhi took up the challenge to lead the fight against
the bill to disenfranchise Indians.
2) Founded Natal Indian Congress by May 1884.
3) Organized Indian Community of SA into a homogenous
political force.
4) Overwhelmed the
government and press
with grievances of
Indians.
5) Went India to seek
support of prominent
Indian political leaders.
Contd…

6. Indian Natal Congress
6) Gandhi returned with 800 Indians promising them good
future.
7) Whites did not like this.
Attacked them with stones,
snatched his turban and
threatened to lynch him.
8) Gandhi practiced self restraint
and even refused legal action.
9) British were pleased. Withdrew
their bill to disenfranchise the
Indians.
10) First victory of Gandhi’s
Philosophy of Non-violence and
Satyagraha. (Sanskrit – Truth and
firmness).

7. The Boer War
1) In 1899, a war broke out between junction and British
Settlers.
2) Gandhi enlisted 800 indentured laborers and 303 Indians
and organized the Indian Ambulance corps to help them.
3) Hoped that this effort would lead to full citizenship of
Indians but the Whites did not oblige.
4) Realizing that the battle must go on. Gandhi set up an
office in Johannesburg and set up his office. Was
appointed as an attorney.

8. THANK YOU