Mahatma Gandhi's impactful journey in Bombay: From lawyer to freedom fighter

While many historians often view Mahatma Gandhi as someone who primarily focused on rural India, it's important to understand that he spent a significant part of his life in Mumbai, previously known as Bombay. His journey in this city went through several phases, from his early ambition as a lawyer, to a successful legal practice, and finally, over three decades, as a leader in India's journey to independence.

Gandhi's arrival in Bombay

In 1891, a 21-year-old Gandhi arrived in Bombay, fresh from his legal training in London, with dreams of establishing a legal career. Bombay was a smaller city back then. Gandhi's start in his legal career, however, didn't go as planned. It wasn't until he moved to South Africa in 1893 that he took on his first legal case.

Despite his shaky start, Gandhi diligently attended the Bombay High Court every day. His commute from Girgaum to the court took around 45 minutes, and once inside, he struggled to grasp the complexities of the cases. After six months, he joined his brother in Porbandar for minor legal work before leaving for South Africa to work for a trading company.

Returning to Bombay

Ten years later, Gandhi returned to Bombay after spending time in Calcutta. By 1902, he was working at the offices of Payne, Gilbert, and Sayani, and he rented a house in Charni Road. Unfortunately, his second son, Manilal, fell seriously ill with typhoid during their stay, leading the family to move to a better-ventilated bungalow in Santacruz. Gandhi began taking the train to the city, often walking to Bandra to catch a fast train to Churchgate. By the end of 1902, he was called back to South Africa.

A joyous return to Bombay

On January 9, 1915, a joyous crowd welcomed Gandhi and his wife, Kasturba, as they arrived at Apollo Bunder on the S.S. Arabia. Gandhi expressed immense joy upon seeing Bombay's coast. The Bombay Chronicle reported a huge gathering, and they had trouble reaching their car due to the numerous people who wanted to greet them with garlands. Gandhi delivered his first speech the following day at Hira Baug hall in Girgaum.

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After returning to Bombay in 1915, Gandhi embarked on journeys across India to better understand the political and economic conditions of its people. His experiences and interactions in Bombay profoundly influenced his strategies and approach during India's fight for freedom.

Why Bombay?

One might wonder why Gandhi chose Bombay as the epicentre for iconic movements like the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920), Khilafat Movement (1919), and Quit India Movement (1942) instead of Delhi, India's new capital since 1911. The answer lies in Bombay's unique character.

Bombay's diversity and economic activity

Bombay was a bustling hub of commerce, trade, banking, and manufacturing, particularly in textile mills. It attracted diverse communities from present-day Gujarat and Maharashtra, including Parsis, Hindu trading groups, and Muslim traders, who were essential to the city's economy. These communities were among Gandhi's strongest supporters.

The city's multicultural environment fostered an open and cosmopolitan ethos. During the Non-Cooperation and Civil Disobedience Movements, women known as the Desh Sevikas took the lead in picketing liquor shops and vendors selling foreign cloth.

Gandhi's choice of Bombay

Gandhi's choice of Bombay as the launching point for these movements can be attributed to the city's vibrant and diverse nature. It provided fertile ground for his ideas of nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience to take root, drawing strength from the support of the city's multicultural population. As we celebrate Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary, it's crucial to acknowledge the pivotal role Bombay played in India's quest for freedom.

Several historic venues in Bombay serve as reminders of Gandhi's significant role in India's struggle for independence.

Mani Bhavan

Mani Bhavan, located on Laburnum Road in Girgaum, served as Mahatma Gandhi's home and headquarters in Bombay from 1917 to 1934. This historic mansion played a crucial role in Gandhi's activities and the Indian freedom struggle.

Central gathering place: Mani Bhavan was a central gathering place where Gandhi held meetings and discussions with a wide range of people, including Congress leaders, mill-workers, local traders, and merchants who supported his cause for India's independence.

Watch: Gandhi Jayanti 2023: Inside Mahatma Gandhi's home in Mumbai - Mani Bhavan

Satyagraha movement: In March 1919, Gandhi launched his first nationwide Satyagraha Movement against the Rowlatt Act from Mani Bhavan. This act granted the British Indian government extensive powers to suppress political dissent, target individuals suspected of sedition, and control the press.

Boycott of foreign cloth: On July 31, 1921, Gandhi issued a call for the boycott of foreign cloth from Mani Bhavan. This move aimed to undermine British imperialism, as British cloth had severely impacted India's traditional handloom industries. Many traders from Bombay supported this boycott and even picketed shops selling foreign cloth.

Self-reliance and khadi: Gandhi personally engaged in activities like carding raw cotton and spinning on the charkha (a spinning wheel) at Mani Bhavan. This aligned with his philosophy of self-reliance and the promotion of Khadi (hand-spun and hand-woven cloth).

August Kranti Maidan

August kranti maidan, located near Mani Bhavan, holds historical significance as the site where the Quit India Movement was launched by Mahatma Gandhi on August 8, 1942. This movement marked a crucial moment in India's struggle for independence.

Quit India Movement: On August 8, 1942, Mahatma Gandhi initiated the Quit India Movement from Gowalia Tank Maidan, now known as August Kranti Maidan. His call was "Do or Die," symbolising the final push to make the British leave India. The movement aimed at demanding an end to British colonial rule and achieving complete freedom for India.

Factors leading to the movement: Several factors contributed to the launch of the Quit India Movement, including dissatisfaction with the promises of the Sir Stafford Cripps Mission, opposition to India's involvement in the Second World War, and the threat of a Japanese invasion.

Khilafat House

Khilafat House, located in Byculla, is historically significant due to its association with the Khilafat Movement, aimed at defending Islam's holy places and the future of the Ottoman Sultan.

Gandhi wholeheartedly embraced the Khilafat Movement, despite facing some opposition within the Indian National Congress. He saw it as an opportunity to forge Hindu-Muslim unity and channel the collective anger and frustration arising from the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the British government's response to it.

In 1920, Gandhi launched the First Non-Cooperation Movement, which became a symbol of Hindu-Muslim unity. This movement was a response to the Khilafat issue as well as other grievances against British rule. It encouraged Indians to withhold their cooperation with British authorities through nonviolent means.

In 1919, when Gandhi was elected president of the first All-India Khilafat Conference, he led the first Id-e-Milad procession from Chhotani House, the Khilafat headquarters in the Masjid area, to Haj House behind Crawford Market. This tradition continues today, even a century later, with the annual procession starting at Khilafat House in Byculla.

Gandhi left his mark in various public spaces across the city. Some of these include Chowpatty Beach, Azad Maidan, cinema halls like Excelsior and Empire, Congress Hall (located in Congress House, Lamington Road), and Harijan colonies like Walpakhadi in Worli, where he lived and worked alongside residents. Additionally, he briefly stayed at Rungta House, a sea-facing bungalow on Nepean Sea Road, and Birla House, which served as his headquarters during the Gandhi-Jinnah talks of 1944.