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And Then Gandhi Came, And Then Gandhi Came by Jawaharlal Nehru is an essay on Gandhi by, Nehru. Nehru explains the context in which Gandhi emerged as a leader, in India. After the end of the first world war, the Indians were, disappointed by the treatment they received from Britain. A large, section of the people lived in poverty as a result of British policies., People did not have access to land or work. They did not know what to, do to improve their situation. Indians had been hopeful of a better future, for so long that many people were disappointed that all their efforts to, improve their condition had failed., It is at this point that Gandhi emerged as a leader among the people., They did not feel that Gandhi was an outsider. Gandhi renewed the, hopes of the people. He spoke against the people who exploited the, farmers and workers and kept them poor. He taught the message of, fearlessness and truth to the people and encouraged them to act against, the injustice that they faced. He believed that everything should be done, keeping in mind the welfare of the poor people., Gandhi understood that fear was the major problem that affected the, people. The people were afraid of the British people, the police, the, landlords, the officers and all the people who exploited them. Gandhi, showed the people that their fears were unnecessary. Fear magnified the, problems that the people had and made it worse. Gandhi was able to, make the people more courageous. He also asked the people to be more, honest. Courage helped the people to become more truthful in their life., Indians felt shameful about being subjected to foreign rule for such a, long time. Truth is interpreted differently by different people. Everyone, has to believe what they know or feel to be true. In this respect, Gandhi, was extremely truthful. Gandhi influenced different people in varying, degrees.
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Gandhi wanted people to fight two things. He asked the people to fight, against foreign rule. He also asked them to fight against the social evils, that existed in India. The Indian National Congress was not only fighting, for Indian independence, they were also trying to foster national unity., They also wanted to solve the problem of minorities, untouchability and, the depressed classes., Gandhi understood that the British were able to rule because of the, people’s fear, and the cooperation of certain sections of the society., Therefore he attacked these elements to defeat the British government., Due to Gandhi’s effort the people lost their respect for titles given by the, British government. Gandhi also undermined the authority of the Indian, princes and the British offices. Gandhi popularized simplicity so much, that even the rich people dressed like the poor., Gandhi sent his fellow leaders to the villagers to invite them to become, part of the freedom movement. This not only energized the villagers, but, also allowed the leaders to know about the life and conditions of the, farmers in India., Gandhi’s vision about India, Gandhi wanted India to become a country where the poor people have a, voice. He wanted to erase class differences. He also wanted different, communities to live in harmony. Gandhi wanted to end the social evil of, untouchability and the curse of intoxicating drinks and drugs. Gandhi, wanted India to become a country which treated men and women, equally., Gandhi believed in the truth of all religions. He did not believe that India, belonged to a single religion. Gandhi welcomed all other cultures, but he, did not want to let go of his country’s culture. Gandhi was a very, confident man, filled with energy. His personality and charisma, attracted so many people to the Indian freedom struggle. Gandhi was a
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symbol of hope for the people who felt disappointed with the state of the, country at that time. Gandhi welcomed new ideas and preserved what, was good in the culture of the country. Thus many people felt that, Gandhi was the link connecting India’s past with its future. Gandhi was, so influential that even the British government had to admire his, leadership and personality., The text is taken from Jawaharlal Nehru’s book , The Discovery of India
