How did you approach research for such a mammoth project? What were some of the biggest challenges along the way?
The main aspect about embarking on any kind of research is the fact that it is bound to be a labour intensive affair, with a lot of travel involved. With Gandhi Before India, there were several visits to England, South Africa and Ahmedabad, while Israel, at a later stage, was a bonus. Such projects require stamina and mental capacity; it’s natural when you have to devote a decade of your life to it. It requires a lot of hard work and planning if you have to sift through thousands of letters and written works. Often, sites and places connected to the project need to be revisited. I met archivists who are mostly delighted when historians turn up to access works, as I found out in places like Johannesburg. In fact, contrary to popular belief, most modern archives are well-kept. Such are the joys of research!