my experiments with truth mahatma gandhi summary

The Story of My Experiments with Truth

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The Story of My Experiments with Truth is the autobiography of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi , more widely known as Mahatma Gandhi. A key political and spiritual leader of India and the Indian independence movement, Gandhi penned this work to narrate his quest for truth and the principles that underpinned his life’s journey. Originally published in 1927, this memoir provides a meticulous account of Gandhi’s spiritual, moral, and political evolution. The literary era in which this was written saw a rise in anticolonial literature and views challenging imperialist doctrines, and while Gandhi’s autobiography fits this mold, its ubiquitous spiritual introspection sets it apart. The book’s key thematic elements include the importance of truth in Gandhi’s life, the philosophy of nonviolence, and the interplay of spirituality and politics.

This guide refers to the 2020 Sanage Publishing Kindle Edition.

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Content Warning : Readers are advised to approach the book with sensitivity to its historical context , recognizing that it contains descriptions of racial and social inequalities pertinent to its era. Some language and depictions might be considered dated or even problematic by contemporary standards.

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The Story of My Experiments with Truth chronicles the life journey of Mahatma Gandhi, beginning with his early days in Porbandar, India, progressing through his formative years in England and South Africa, and culminating in his major role in India’s gaining independence from British rule. The autobiography delves into Gandhi’s pursuit of understanding truth (a quest that often brought him into conflict with societal norms), his personal dietary and lifestyle challenges, and even his disagreements with contemporaries. While highlighting Gandhi’s evolution from a lawyer to a central figure in nonviolent resistance, the text also delves into various aspects of his personal life. Gandhi’s choices, such as opting for celibacy, undertaking dietary experiments to comprehend purity, and leading a minimalist lifestyle, were not isolated decisions; they reflected his overarching philosophical convictions and informed his political action.

The text begins with a brief introduction that describes how Gandhi was delayed in penning his autobiography and what inspired him to write it. The main part of the book opens with Gandhi’s formative years in Porbandar. He reflects on his adolescent challenges, his early marriage to Kasturbai Gokuldas Kapadia, and his time in England attending law school. In England, he grappled with cultural adaptations, made significant vows regarding his lifestyle, and began exploring various religions and philosophies. The story then shifts to his years in South Africa. While working as a lawyer there, he directly confronted racial prejudice. Here, amid the pressing civil rights issues, the seeds of satyagraha , or nonviolent resistance, were sown in him. In addition, this period reflected Gandhi’s deepening spiritual quests, and he experimented with celibacy, simple living, and a diet that would sustain his health and his principles.

Returning to India, Gandhi became involved in the Indian National Movement. His commitment to nonviolence was tested in Champaran, where he stood with peasants against oppressive plantation systems. The intensity of the struggle galvanized Gandhi’s position, pushing him further into the epicenter of India’s fight for freedom. His commitment to various causes, such as promoting sanitation, improving education, and uplifting the harijans , or members of India’s outcaste group, further solidified his status as a social leader. Gandhi’s involvement in various political and social challenges continued to intensify. He relocated his ashram for safety during a plague, stood with workers during the Ahmedabad mill dispute, and became a beacon of hope during the Kheda crisis, in which farmers faced near-famine conditions. Throughout each of these events, his actions reflected the nonviolence principles of satyagraha .

Gandhi’s leadership in the Indian National Movement strengthened. He navigated the complexities of the Khilafat movement (a campaign by Muslim people in India opposing certain British policies concerning Eastern Europe), demonstrating his commitment to Hindu-Muslim unity. Despite health challenges and personal struggles, he remained focus, particularly when confronting oppressive legislations like the Rowlatt Act. The initiation of the non-cooperation movement and the national hartal (strike) became emblematic of a nation’s collective resistance against colonial rule. However, the Jallianwala Bagh massacre demonstrated the British regime’s brutality, and Gandhi’s commitment to civil resistance faced significant tests. He acknowledged his misjudgments, particularly in prematurely rallying the masses for civil disobedience without ensuring their true understanding of the movement’s essence. Despite the challenges, Gandhi’s involvement with publications like Young India and Navajivan provided a voice and connection to the Indian masses.

The concluding chapters underscore Gandhi’s evolving strategies in the freedom movement. Discussions on the Khilafat movement, the significance of cow protection, the intricacies within the Indian National Congress, and the emphasis on swaraj (self-rule) became central. The khadi movement, advocating for swadeshi , emerged as a potent symbol of self-reliance, economic empowerment, and resistance against British economic dominance. The memoir concludes with Gandhi reflecting on his relentless pursuit of truth, emphasizing the sanctity of his experiments with truth and nonviolence, as well as the fusion of religion and politics in his life’s journey. The autobiography was published in 1927 and was not updated to cover the significant events of the 1930s and 1940s, including India’s major civil disobedience movements against British rule, Gandhi’s negotiations for India’s independence, and the subsequent partition of India and Pakistan. The memoir ends some 20 years before India achieved its independence from British rule in 1947 and Gandhi’s assassination in 1948.

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The Autobiographical Novel “The Story of My Experiments with Truth” is written by Famous Indian Freedom fighter “Mahatma Gandhi”, published in February 1929. The book was originally written in Gujrati language but later it was translated into English language by Mahadevi Desai.

The Story of My Experiments With Truth By Mahatma Gandhi

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Synopsis of The Story of My Experiments With Truth

The story of “ My Experiments with Truth ” begins with Yerwada Central Jail where Mahatma Gandhi’s friend, Jairam Das advises him to write autobiography. Gandhi wasn’t interested in writing autobiography, but the only reason Gandhi wrote his autobiography is because he wants to share the world his life experiments with truth. The story begins with Gandhi’s first experiment with Truth in childhood where he had experiment with smoking, drinking and robbery.

There are two people who influences Gandhi since childhood to live a life of Truth, and that is Harish Chandra and Shravan Kumar. At the age of 13, Gandhi got married to Kasturba Gandhi. Gandhi was very possessive for his wife, Kasturba and sometimes he used to doubt her, but Kasturba was a smart girl who never fear Gandhi. Kasturba wasn’t educated and Gandhi wanted to educate her, but he never did as he never got a chance and he blame himself for that. Gandhi was a good student in High school, but he had no interest in gymnastics as he prefers to serve his father over doing gymnastics activities.

Gandhi’s first life mistake was that he did not pay attention to his health. Gandhi’s second biggest mistake was that he became a friend of amoral boys, who brain washed him to eat non-veg to become a strong and muscular. He quit eating non-veg for his mother and father and since that day he never eats non-veg in his whole life. One day, Gandhi with his amoral friends goes to prostitute where he was sent to sleep with prostitute, but he never sleeps with her as that prostitute send him away. One time Gandhi smoked beedi on his relative request. He also did robbery just to buy beedi.

The story now shift focus to a life of Gandhi’s father, Karamchand Gandhi, whose health is deteriorating day after day and Gandhi is feeling very sad for his father. On the other hand, Gandhi’s wife, Kasturba is also pregnant with Gandhi’s baby. One day, when Gandhi was massaging his father’s foot, his uncle came and send him to sleep. Five minutes later, suddenly Gandhi’s father’s servant comes to Gandhi’s room and tells him that his father is no more. On the other side, as Gandhi’s wife was pregnant, she gave birth to a baby who died in four days. Gandhi was heartbroken as he loses his loving father and baby in just couple of days.

My Experiments With Truth : II

The second part of “My Experiments with Truth” talks about Gandhi’s life as a lawyer. On the advice of relative, Gandhi was recommended to get an education of barrister from foreign country like England. On the contrary, Gandhi’s mother stops him from going abroad as she was afraid that his son may get addicted to alcohol, chicken, and women. She only agrees as Gandhi took a vow that he won’t get attracted to alcohol, chicken, and women in England. Afterwards, Gandhi left for England to study law. There Gandhi was forced by lots of people to eat meat, but he never ate it as he sworn to his mother. Gandhi completed his law study in 1891 and then he returns to India. Afterwards, Gandhi took his first case as a lawyer in Bombay.

One day, Gandhi’s brother received a letter from South Africa. A person named, Abdullah, who own a big firm in South Africa wants Gandhi to come in South Africa to fight a case on his behalf. As Gandhi was not happy in Bombay between corrupt people, he immediately said yes to go South Africa. There Gandhi learns that South African doesn’t value Indian people. The people like Abdullah who own such a big firm has no value in South Africa as they are Indian. As Gandhi goes to court to fight a case of Abdullah, he was asked by magistrate to remove his turban. He refuses to remove his turban in court.

One day, Gandhi was travelling from Durban to Pretoria through train. He was travelling in first class seat of train. After a while, one passenger from train comes to Gandhi and asks him to go in third class. Gandhi denied to go in third class because he had a first-class ticket of train. As Gandhi refused to go in third class, that white passenger thrown him out of train with luggage.

Mahatma Gandhi had one more fight in train with white passenger who was forcing Gandhi to give his seat to him just because he wanted to smoke there. Gandhi tolerated his humiliation, but he doesn’t give his seat to him. Gandhi ji was an adamant man; he doesn’t give up and always used to travels in first class seat of train. Gandhi lived around 21 long years in South Africa with his children and wife; he built great reputation in South Africa with his nonviolence path. As the World War II started, Gandhi Ji returns to India in 1914.

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The Story of My Experiments with Truth | Summary, Analysis, Book | Gandhi’s Autobiography

The Story of My Experiments with Truth

Gandhi exercised a potent influence on our society through his own writing in English and Gujarati. His autobiography, The Story of My Experiments with Truth is an imperishable classic. Unlike Jawaharlal Nehru , who loved English and felt more at home in it than any other language Gandhi wrote it in his mother tongue Gujarati but not in English. Mahadev Desai who was close to Gandhi and studied him at closer quarters translated his autobiography into English in such a way that one feels as if it was done by Gandhi himself, and it has a continuous influence on Indian writing in English. The translation, as it appeared serially in Young India, had the benefit of Gandhiji’s revision. It had the benefit of being revised later from the point of view of language by an eminent English Scholar.

An autobiography is by definition self-revelatory. It is the story of a person written by himself; and of all autobiographies, Gandhi’s is among the most frank and truthful. His autobiography is of great value to India, not only because it gives a measure of the greatness of the nation’s ‘Father’ but also because it affords some important lessons to India. Louis Fischer opines that throughout his life, Gandhi concentrated on the personal ‘one man’s day-to-day behaviour’. It is obvious that in his autobiography which bears the most significant second title of Experiments with Truth, he narrates for the education of his countrymen his life-long attempts to conquer and remake himself.

A God-fearing friend had his doubts when Gandhi expressed his idea to write his autobiography, and asked him, “What has set you on this adventure? Writing an autobiography is a practice peculiar to the West. I know of nobody in the East having written one, except amongst those who have come under Western influence. And what will you write? Supposing you reject tomorrow the things you hold as principles to-day, or supposing you revise in the future your plans of to-day, is it not likely that the men who shape their conduct on the authority of your word, spoken or written, may be misled? Don’t you think it would be better not to write anything like an autobiography, at any rate just yet?”

This argument had no doubt some effect on Gandhi, but he explained, “It is not my purpose to attempt a real autobiography. I simply want to tell the story of my numerous experiments with truth, and as my life consists of nothing but those experiments, it is true that the story will take the shape of an autobiography. I believe that a connected account of all these experiments will not be without benefit to the reader. My experiments in the political field are now known, not only to India, but to a certain extent to the civilized world. I should certainly like to narrate my experiments in the spiritual field which are known only to myself, and from which I have derived such power as I possess for working in the political field. These will of course include experiments with non-violence, celibacy and other principles of conduct believed to be distinct from truth. But for me, truth is the sovereign principle, which includes numerous other principles. The truth is not only truthfulness in word, but truthfulness in thought also, and not only the relative truth of our conception, but the Absolute Truth, the Eternal principle that is God.”

He further explains, “My experiments have not been conducted in the closet, but in the open. I have gone through and examined and analysed every psychological situation.” In doing so he refused to slur or pass over inconvenient incidents. “I am not going” he said, “either to conceal or underrate any ugly things that must be told. I hope to acquaint the reader fully with all my faults and errors. My purpose is to describe experiments in the science of Satyagraha not to say how good I am.”

Gandhi’s autobiography stands in contrast with that of the memoirs of George Santayana , the American philosopher. Louis Fischer finely sums up the contrast between the two memoirs in this way: “Santayana, the artist attempts to reconstruct a life and an era. Gandhi, the reformer, omits the cultural and historical background and dissects himself for the instruction of others.”

In his autobiographical record may be found, described in candid detail, the events and circumstances of his life from birth to the launching of the non-cooperation movement in India in 1920. In the last installment of the narrative, Gandhi writes, taking leave of his readers “To describe truth as it has appeared to me, and in the exact manner which I arrived at it has been my ceaseless effort. The experience has given me ineffable mental peace. I knew that I have not in me as yet that triple purity in spite of constant ceaseless striving for it. That is why the world fails to move me indeed it often stings me.”

Gandhi saw no point in continuing the story beyond 1920 because it was already known to the public, his life having been lived in the lime-light, in the continual blaze of controversy and political action. The later part of Gandhi’s life was in considerable measure the life of the nation as well. As he grew in stature, the nation grew in self-consciousness and strength and so he was verily the Father of the Nation. A chance reading of Ruskin’s Unto this last made a profound impression on Gandhi, as he had himself acknowledged in his autobiography,” Unto this Last made it clear as day-light for me that the second and third (right of earning) and (life of labour) were contained in the first (good of all). I arose with the dawn, ready to reduce these principles to practice.”

The reader will be struck by the prophetic quality of Gandhi’s genius, his practical good sense and his love for humanity. His autobiography thus has inestimable value to Indians.

To quote the words of Nehru “Gandhi was like a powerful current of fresh air that made us stretch ourselves and take deep breaths; like a beam of light that pierced the darkness and removed the scales from our eyes, like a whirl-wind that upset many things but most of all the working of people’s minds.”

The most important lesson we owe to his autobiography is a lesson in truth . He preaches that we should pursue truth and maintain it in all its purity, both in private life and public work. He admits his own failings because of his utmost devotion to Truth. He confesses how in his childhood he had sometimes eaten meat and told lies to his mother, how a woman in Portsmouth moved him to lust and how he used to be a hard and tyrannical husband. In public life too he pursued Truth relentlessly. He would maintain the accounts scrupulously and he spared neither time nor pains to state truthfully.

The next lesson is the principle of Ahimsa . It was not just a political expedient, but a positive virtue fit to be practiced in daily intercourse. His autobiography preaches that ‘Ahimsa’ is an all embracing love for both friend and foe and that such love conquers more enemies than physical power. One should hate sin and not the sinner. He objected to individual English men and English women being killed by Indians.

Simple living is another of the lessons inculcated in Gandhi’s autobiography . His account of the way in which he became his own washer-man, barber and scavenger teaches us to simplify our lives. He had utmost faith in Thoreau’s principle of ‘simple living and high thinking’ and did put it in practice. He never possessed any costly ornaments. He created a trust of the costly articles given to him and brought up his wife and children to regard service as its own reward. He would admit the untouchables to his own Ashram. He rose above the meanness of discriminating between communities and castes. Besides lessons in humanity, his autobiography gives us lessons in social service. He puts forth the doctrine of Sarvodaya , or the common weal which is to be attained by social service and which goes to make for a kingdom of heaven on earth.

He was opposed to the tendency of irreligion and skepticism towards which the educated classes have been drifting, He affirms a living faith in God and he demonstrates how much faith can affect and transform life and lead to memorable consequences. Thus he was a humanitarian, a social reformer, a politician and a nationalist. He showed that soul-force is stronger than brute-force. He strove hard to kill the canker of communalism within the Hindu fold and also the canker of Hindu-Muslim disunity. He rightly foresaw that people of such grinding poverty and wretchedness as the Indians, could not improve themselves unless the more enlightened and affluent among them dedicated themselves to social service.

The key to Gandhi’s greatness perhaps lies in his being a practical mystic. He strengthened his character and wore himself away in service and sacrifice to please God, to obey His law. He gave in the twentieth century a remarkable demonstration of the power of religion and the enduring worth of spiritual values. He is indeed a saint among politicians and a politician among saints. He was often called a practical or political saint for the reason that he contrived to be at the same time a politician and a man of unquestionable integrity and saintliness of character.

His autobiography is however, very far from what may be called a spiritual treatise. Three-fourths of the work records ordinary happenings historical political and social, as also those on the personal plane. Bhabani Bhattacharya feels that “As a document of uninhibited revelation of his inner being, these memories must be considered as unique.

Bishop Frederick B. Fisher stated: “Here is an autobiography more captivating than fiction and a more revealing study of the human soul than I have ever read.” Another significant appraisal appeared in “Mahatma Gandhi” by Polak, Brailsford and Pethick Lawrence: “It ranks high among the world’s great books written in prison. In the frankness of its self-revelation, it recalls Rousseau’s Confessions. It would be hard to say which part of it makes the more fascinating reading-the early chapters which describe his school days, his adolescence, his marriage and his life as a student in London : or the absorbing narrative of his moral development and his struggle in South Africa. That story could not have been better told, and our only regret is that his account of his doings after his return to India is slighter. In this book Gandhi will live for posterity as the noblest and bravest character of our time.”

Reginald Reynold remarks:

“The Autobiography reveals a very ordinary man who became a saint by setting himself impossible standards and then spiritual power to live up to them.”

In recent years the book has been the focus of scholarly attention, especially in the United States. Erik H. Erikson comments on the “Passion, the poignancy and the humour in (Gandhi’s) use of English.”

A Gandhian scholar made a remark about Gandhi: “He was a man of action. He was much else besides. But he was no writer. His English was poor, his vocabulary inadequate. The Biblical simplicity attributed to his style is a plain myth.”

Bhabani Bhattacharya points out that “No one who has used the stuff of words on a massive scale has been as passionately purposive as Gandhi. No one has used words with such intense longing to be down-to-earth on the one hand and paradoxically to reach for the stars on the other.”

But Gandhi has plainly stated his objective “I write as the spirit moves me at the time of writing. I write to propagate my ideas. The reader can have no idea of the restraint I have to exercise …in the choice of topics and my vocabulary. It is a training for me. It enables me to peep into myself and to make discoveries of my weaknesses. Often my vanity dictates a smart expression or my anger a harsh adjective. It is a terrible ordeal but a fine exercise to remove these weeds.”

Thus Gandhi set down in clear-cut lucid prose in English, besides Gujarati and Hindi it was inevitable that he wrote far more in English than in Indian language every shade, and every nuance of his thought.

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An Autobiography: The Story of My Experiments with Truth Summary & Study Guide

An Autobiography: The Story of My Experiments with Truth Summary & Study Guide Description

An Autobiography: The Story of My Experiments with Truth by Mohandas K. Gandhi traces Gandhi's life from his birth in Porbandar until the end of 1920, after his policy of non-cooperation with government is passed by the All-India Congress Committee. Gandhi says that at this point, his life has become so public that there is no need for him to write about it. The book is basically about how Gandhi arrives at the principles he holds and how they come about from his search for and belief in truth.

The story begins with Gandhi's childhood in the Porbandar and Rajkot. He is educated in the local schools until he finishes high school. While still in high school at the age of 13, in an arranged marriage, Gandhi marries a woman named Kasturbai, who stands by him his whole life. He is excited about the marriage at the time but both Gandhi and Kasturbai are against early marriages for their children. His father dies when he is sixteen and still in school. Gandhi finishes high school and goes on to study at Samaldas College, a local college located in Bhavnagar. He stays for just one semester and then decides to go to England where he can become a barrister in three years. Gandhi's mother is against the idea and to get her approval, Gandhi has to take a vow to not touch wine, women or meat while away. Gandhi reads for his exams, passes them, enrolls in the High Court and returns to India.

Gandhi is unsure of himself practicing law in India. He tries to intervene with an acquaintance, now the Political Agent in England, on behalf of his brother and they have sharp words. Gandhi's career is in jeopardy since appeals go to the Political Agent. Gandhi accepts an offer from a law firm in South Africa to help them with a case and after spending one year there he decides to stay there to help the Indian community. He works in South Africa until just two weeks prior to the outbreak of WWI in 1914. Back in India, he continues his public work, having already made a name for himself from his work in South Africa with Satyagraha, or civil disobedience and resistance by non-violent methods.

Gandhi's book accurately reflects the general goal and intent of his life - the search for truth and his firm belief in that truth. He believes that truth is God and all his experiments concern his attempts to achieve truth and purity. His experiments with dietetics are a life-long deal, and he seeks to find the perfect diet - one that wipes out lust and allows man to control his mind and thoughts. Within this framework he develops his principles for government reform. This consists of agitation through the use of civil disobedience and resistance without resorting to violence. One cannot practice civil disobedience without knowing and respecting the laws of the land since one must chose which laws to disobey and when. The uneducated can't do this, which is why the national day of hartal resulted in violence. The population hadn't been taught the principles of civil disobedience. Gandhi ends his book in 1920 during the period of agitation and non-cooperation. The events of his life are well-known after that point.

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An Autobiography: The Story of My Experiments with Truth - Mohandas Gandhi

Get inspired by one of the most respected and fascinating souls of our time, gandhi, with his book an autobiography: the story of my experiments with truth..

The independence of India was a long and difficult process, led by the activist Mohandas Gandhi. In his book "An Autobiography: My Life and My Experiences with the Truth", he narrates his trajectory in the fight against English colonialism and the dissemination of his philosophy, known as "Satyagraha".

Considered the father of India and respected around the world, Gandhi inspires several pacifist movements in different countries, and thanks to his achievements, the "International Day of Non-Violence " is celebrated on his birthday.

Are you curious to know more about Gandhi and his accomplishments? Come with us!

About the book "An Autobiography: The Story of My Experiments with Truth"

The book "An Autobiography: The Story of My Experiments with Truth" was first published in 1927.

Gandhi explores the spiritual, mental, and physical dimensions studied and lived by him. Also, he brings his principles of nonviolence, truth, and concern for others .

The book is divided into five parts, with a total of 440 pages. He is very objective in his topics and most of them are short and performed in chronological order.

About the author Mohandas K. Gandhi

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born in 1869 in the Indian city of Porbandar. He is also known as Mahatma Gandhi, an honorific that means great soul.

He studied law and became a spiritual and pacifist leader in India.

Gandhi also wrote the books "Hind Swaraj or Indian Home Rule", "India of my dreams", "Satyagraha in South Africa", among others.

Each overview of this Pocketbook will tell you more about Gandhi, so keep reading.

To whom is this book indicated?

"An Autobiography: The Story of My Experiments with Truth" is for the ones who want to get inspired by great leaders , responsible for influencing millions of people and changing the world.

Also, it is for people who want to know more about values, commitment, love, and determination. The book has examples of all the struggles and achievements marked by leadership and the non-violence resistance of Mohandas Gandhi.

Main ideas of the book "An Autobiography: The Story of My Experiments with Truth"

• Gandhi was born into a simple family but with great values;
• He married when he was 13 years old;
• He was responsible for creating the Satyagraha philosophy, which aims to act with willpower and non-violence;
• Even after the death of his mother, Gandhi kept all the commitments made with her;
• Forgiveness is the trait of strong people ;
• Spread love in all environments. Only it can defeat the adversary;
• The fullness of love neutralizes the hatred of thousands;
• Be the change you want to see in the world;
• Live your life based on what you believe.

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Overview: Childhood and Adolescence

In this first part of "An Autobiography: The Story of My Experiments with Truth", Gandhi tells about his birth, childhood, religion, marriage, and all the experiences and tragedies that occurred during this period.

Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, an Indian city. As a child, he was totally influenced by the practices of his religious-political father and his devoted mother.

He started going to school at age 7, and he was always regarded as a very shy and average student. Also, he was never willing to cheat in front of his friends.

When he turned 13, his parents decided that he should marry, a practice that wasn't totally supported by him. In addition, he recounts some tragedies he encountered in his teens.

When his father died, a friend of the family suggested that Gandhi should study in England. To do so, he had to make serious promises to his mother, because her greatest concern was that he would lose his culture and start eating meat, drinking alcohol, and sleeping with other women.

With that, in 1888 he went to England to study law. He tried to adapt to the new culture, but it was complicated. So, he preferred to live a life of intense studies and humility. After 3 years of study, he passed the exams in order to be able to practice law and returned to India.

Overview: Early Career

Upon returning to India, Gandhi discovered that his mother had died. During the same period, he started his professional life.

He began working in Bombay at the Supreme Court. There he gained experience and deepened his studies in law. However, his shyness got in the way of his work, driving him back to Rajkot, where he opened his own office.

His older brother was always willing to solve his problems and help him as much as possible. Thus, he had a major influence on the transfer of Gandhi to South Africa, where he got the position of a lawyer.

During his time in South Africa, Gandhi suffered from various discriminations because of his skin color.

In "An Autobiography: The Story of My Experiments with Truth", he narrates some of these events, like when he was kicked out of the train, and when he was invited to dine in his room to not offend the guests in the hotel. In those moments, he said that he always discussed the situation, but without violence.

During this experience, he gained confidence in himself and acquired great knowledge in the legal field, leading him to help found the Natal Indian Congress, which supported the Indian community to come together as a political force. Gandhi also began to study Christianity.

Soon after, he returned to India with the purpose of picking up his wife and two daughters and taking them to South Africa, where he continued his work as an activist.

Overview: Development of Political Power

When he arrived at the port of South Africa, the white citizens were furious with him and attacked him, accusing him of false imputations. But Gandhi proved his innocence to the press and said he did not want to sue anyone who attacked him.

Gandhi increased his public work with the Indian community there, and each day he developed an affection for cooperation and simplicity . During the Boer War, he honed these qualities and created an ambulance corps to take the wounded.

After the war, Mohandas Gandhi returned to India through a long excursion. His goal was to understand the difficulties of third-class passengers. So he decided to leave his family in India and returned to South Africa to solve the main problems.

Overview: The Beginning of the Fight

On his return, South Africa was experiencing an epidemic of racial discrimination and the government laws put Indians in a difficult situation.

According to Gandhi, he was heavily influenced by a book called "Unto This Last", and the teachings of it changed his life . At the same time, Gandhi founded the "Phoenix Settlement", a farm where he would live with his supporters and later became a small village.

As he explains in the book "An Autobiography: The Story of My Experiments with Truth", in 1906, the British government declared war on the Zulus, and Gandhi was there again. He worked with his ambulance corps, with the aim of helping to transport and care for the innocent and wounded.

When the war was coming to an end, Gandhi's next step was to live the lives of the poorest people, practicing fasting and eating a restricted diet that contained only fruit.

Even when he fell ill, Gandhi explains that he did not abandon vegetarianism and kept the vow he made to his mother.

During all this time in Africa, Gandhi developed what would be called "Satyagraha". It translates as "holding onto truth " and refers to non-violent protests and resistances.

Overview: The Peak of His Political Power

In 1914, Gandhi returned to India and made major changes there: he opened primary schools in six villages and improved their sanitary conditions. He also shared the "Satyagraha" in India, that is, the non-violent civil disobedience, and obtained expressive results, increasing his popularity.

Despite this, many peaceful Indian civilians were killed by the British, but this made the movement stronger.

With that, Gandhi's real entry into Congressional politics took place, leading to the organization of a new constitution that boosted the country's complete independence.

For Gandhi, one of the ways to achieve independence is by fighting poverty and manufacturing products that India was dependent on.

At the end of "An Autobiography: The Story of My Experiments with Truth", Gandhi says that his achievements in Congress still left history under construction, with nothing final.

Now, history confirms that Indian independence has been successful and has influenced movements for egalitarian rights around the world.

What do other authors say about it?

In the book "Unshakeable" , author Tony Robbins says you need to give yourself: give your attention and your time. Making contributions is what brings meaning to the lives of many people. This is perfectly understood in Gandhi's life.

For the author of the "Psychology of Selling" , Brian Tracy, successful people enhance their inner dialogue with optimistic and confident phrases. For example, if you repeat the phrase "I like myself" throughout the day, your self-esteem will certainly increase. You can clearly see this behavior in Gandhi, through his faith, love, forgiveness and all his positive energies.

Finally, a history with a trajectory very similar to Gandhi's is that of Nelson Mandela, reported in the book "Long Walk to Freedom" . Both had similar traits such as admirable leadership, the struggle for civil rights, and commitment. Also, both faced hateful enemies, but Mandela diverged from Gandhi by using violence and weapons in his fight.

Okay, but how can I apply this to my life?

During the work of Mohandas K. Gandhi, "Autobiography: My Life and My Experiences with the Truth", he indirectly presents us with several ways of seeing obstacles and how to exercise leadership based on moral values:

• Forgiveness: Gandhi practiced it simply and directly. Not to forgive is to be stuck in the past, causing only suffering;
• Commitment: For Gandhi, the main commitment that can exist is with the truth itself, as it leads to happiness and fulfillment, without needing external approval;
• Respect: Choose non-violence, both in physical form, as well as through discussion and judgments. We cannot see our opponents as enemies;
• Love: Gandhi never showed changes in his mood, always remaining calm and loving everything. According to him, we can only overcome an opponent through love.

Finally, Gandhi proves that the above characteristics are essential to win, even in an uneven world!

Did you like this summary of the book "An Autobiography: The Story of My Experiments with Truth"?

We hope you enjoyed our summary and that you can apply the teachings of Mohandas Gandhi in your life. Leave your opinion in the comments, your feedback is very important to us.

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My Experiments With Truth Book Review [Best Review]

In this post “The Story Of My Experiments With Truth Book Review”, we review this whole book in-depth, So you will know whether you should read this book or not.

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The Story Of My Experiments With Truth Book Review

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About The Book

“The Story of My Experiments with Truth” is the autobiography book of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, which runs from his childhood to the year 1921.

In the year 1998, by a committee of religious authorities, this book was nominated as one of the “ Best 100 Spiritual Books of the 20th Century “.

In this book, Gandhi Ji describes his all life events like birth and parentage, childhood, experiences at school, child marriage, relationship with his wife and parents, his study tour to London, and many more.

Gandhiji wrote this book in his mother tongue Gujarati, later it was translated by Mahadev Desai, best remembered as a personal secretary of Gandhi Ji.

The book ends after a discussion of the Nagpur session of the Congress party in 1915.

Now, Let’s discuss The Story Of My Experiments With Truth Summary.

The Story Of My Experiments With Truth Summar y

The Story of My Experiments With Truth Summary, In the below section we give a brief summary of this book.

Introduction

This book of Gandhi Ji starts with an Introduction, the introduction is written by Gandhi Ji himself, mentioning how he has written his autobiography.

The goal of his story is simply to narrate his experiments with truth in life.

Gandhi Ji also says through this book he wishes to narrate his moral experiment and spiritual experience rather than political ones .

The first part describes the incidents of Gandhi Ji’s childhood, his experiments with smoking, eating meat, drinking, stealing, and after satisfaction.

The second part of the book tells about Gandhi’s experiences in the Cape Colony during a period of stress between the different ethnic groups in the region.

When Gandhi Ji succeeded in growing his own practice to about twenty Indian merchants who contracted him to manage their affairs, It was then that he ended up working in South Africa after almost twenty years.

After success in work, he allowed him to earn a living while also finding time to devote to his mission as a public figure. 

During Gandhi Ji’s struggle against inequality and racial discrimination in South Africa, He became known among Indians all around the world as “Mahatma,” or “Great Soul.”

In 1896, Gandhi Ji returned to India to be with his wife and children, Gandhiji continued his work on the Natal Indian Congress, and his loyalty to the British Empire guided him to help them during the Second Boer War.

In the year 1914 in July, He sailed for Britain, now admired as “Mahatma,” and popularly known throughout the world for the success of satyagraha.

When World War I started, Gandhi Ji was in England, he immediately began organizing a medical team similar to the unit he had led in the Boer War, but he also faced some health problems that caused him to return to India.

The British colonial authorities put Gandhi on trial for  sedition  and punished him with six years in prison, this was the first time that he faced prosecution in India. 

The government allowed him to use a spinning wheel and reading materials while in prison, so he felt content and, he also wrote most of his autobiography in prison.

Conclusion of My Experiments With Truth Book Review

Gandhi Ji wrote a suitable conclusion to the readers, in his “Farewell” for an autobiography that he never intended to be an autobiography, but a tale of experiments with truth, and life.

Books Different Editions

This publication is also the best seller on Amazon.

If you want to check out the offers of this book all the editions of this book links are given below.

Why to read My Experiment With Truth

• The author of this book was Mahatma Gandhi, later it was translated by Mahadev Desai.
• This book was nominated as one of the “ Best 100 Spiritual Books of the 20th Century “.
• This book is based on the life of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, He is also known among Indians all around the world as  “Mahatma”  or  “Great Soul.”
• This is an inspirational book and autobiography of Mahatma Gandhi, which inspires you a lot to do something big.
• The book’s content is about moral teachings, His morality is deeply rooted in Indian culture and Hindu religion.

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A Brief summary of Gandhiji's autobiography: my experiments with truth

Gandhiji with his thoughts and deeds have inspired the lives of many. My Experiments with Truth : An Autobiography of Mahatma Gandhi gives the true picture of the life of Gandhiji till 1925. Though published in pre-independence era, this literary work had its own great impact even on present generation,This paper is a brief attempt to summarize the autobiography .

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Gandhi participated in or expressed his opinions on six war situations from the Anglo-Boer War to the Second World War. His expressed views were not always consistent and he was criticised for this particularly by western pacifists including close colleagues. This arose from his multiviewpoint position where he opposed war personally but justified participation in war by others who fought in a just cause. A linked influence was his intense dislike of cowardliness and admiration of courageousness. His ideal however was the courageous satyagrahi and his expressed opinions moved during his lifetime to a firmer nonviolent antiwar position.

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Translator’s preface.

The book was originally published in two volumes, the first in 1927 and second in 1929. The price of each volume was 1 rupee. There were five editions by the time this preface was written. 50,000 copies had been sold but since it wasn’t translated into English it prevented Indians from purchasing it. A cheaper English version is needed so that more people can read about Gandhi’s philosophy and learn how to apply his ideas to their life. Chapters XXIX–XLIII of Part V were translated by Desai’s friend Pyarelal Nayyar

Introduction

Gandhi has written this book at the request of his friend Jeramdas who is a fellow prisoner. He wonders if writing an autobiography is something that Easterners do, since it’s a Western practice. However, he decides to write about his experiments with truth in life through this book. In addition, he wants to discuss spiritual and moral matters rather than political ones.

The first part of the book is about Gandhi’s childhood, including his experiments with meat eating and smoking. He also talks about stealing from a shopkeeper when he was young. In addition to that, he also explains how he felt bad for his actions later on in life and decided not to steal again. The two books that had an impact on Gandhi were Harishchandra and Shravana Pitrabhakti Nataka. Both of these books made him realize just how important it was to be honest with yourself and others around you. Later in this part we find out more about Gandhi’s marriage at such a young age; 13 years old! It says here that Gandhi wasn’t too happy about getting married so early but did it anyway because of societal pressure put upon him by those who knew him best (his family). Another big event discussed in this section is the death of Karamchand Gandhi (Gandhi’s father) due to dysentery which happened when Mohandas was only 12 years old.

The British and the Dutch shared power in South Africa. The Boers, who were mostly farmers, controlled two independent republics: the Orange Free State and Transvaal. The white settlers and the Boers had a history of violence with each other, so there was always a threat of an eruption. To keep peace between them, Britain adopted racist policies to appease both sides; however, Indians suffered less than blacks because they mostly worked on plantations for whites. Gandhi’s experiences in South Africa are well known—he was thrown off trains for being Indian or not having money to pay for first-class travel. He also experienced racism when he stayed at hotels or tried to eat at restaurants that would only serve whites.

Gandhi was outraged at the racist policies in South Africa and decided to speak up. He urged his fellow Indians not to accept inequality but instead work hard, learn English, and live a clean lifestyle. Gandhi’s legal practice kept him busy, so he found time to read some of Tolstoy’s writing which inspired him to write back. Both men shared a philosophy of non-violence and their correspondence helped them spread that message around the world.

Both Tolstoy and Gandhi were inspired by the Sermon on the Mount, which is a passage in the New Testament that talks about how you should live your life for others. They also looked to other sources of inspiration like Hinduism’s Bhagavad-Gita. The Gita taught them that selfless work was actually a higher form of fulfillment rather than self-denial. As public figures, both men refused payment for their work so they could focus solely on helping others.

Gandhi was deeply religious, but he also had a strong interest in philosophy. He studied Hinduism and other religions’ sacred texts to see if they could help him define his own philosophy of religion. However, after studying many different faiths, Gandhi came to the conclusion that it is better not to rely solely on external sources for knowledge about God or spirituality.

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