The Gandhian experience in South Africa stands as a transformative chapter in the life of Mahatma Gandhi and has significant implications for understanding his philosophy of nonviolent resistance, or Satyagraha. Gandhi’s formative years in South Africa, spanning from 1893 to 1914, provided the crucible in which he developed and refined his principles of passive resistance and civil disobedience, which later became central to India’s struggle for independence. This period not only shaped Gandhi’s personal and political evolution but also laid the groundwork for his future leadership on the global stage. Through his encounters with racial discrimination, injustice, and oppression in South Africa, Gandhi honed his belief in the power of nonviolent resistance as a means to combat injustice and secure human rights for all. Thus, exploring Gandhi’s experiences in South Africa offers invaluable insights into the origins and evolution of his philosophy and its enduring impact on the world.
Gandhi went to South Africa in 1893 to help a client with a legal case. But during his time there, he saw how badly white people treated Asians, especially Indian workers. He decided to stay and help organize the Indian community to fight against this unfair treatment. For 20 years, from 1893 to 1914, Gandhi worked as a lawyer and activist in South Africa. It was during this time that he developed the idea of Satyagraha, or nonviolent resistance, which he used to protest against unjust laws like the Asiatic Registration Law. This led to Gandhi’s first time being sent to jail.
In South Africa, there were three main groups of Indians:
- Indentured Labourers: These were people from South India who came to work on sugar plantations after 1890 under contracts.
- Merchants: Most of these were Meman Muslims who followed the labourers to South Africa.
- Ex-Indentured Labourers: After their contracts ended, some labourers settled in South Africa with their families.
These Indians were mostly unable to read or write and didn’t speak much English. They faced racial discrimination but saw it as normal.
They had many restrictions:
- They couldn’t vote.
- They had to live in specific areas that were crowded and dirty.
- Some colonies had curfews, meaning Asians and Africans couldn’t go out at night or use public paths.
Gandhian Struggle in South Africa
Moderate Phase of Struggle (1894-1906)
- During this time, Gandhi used petitions and memorials to ask South African and British authorities for help.
- He believed that once authorities knew about the problems Indians faced, they would help because Indians were British subjects.
- To bring Indians together, he started the Natal Indian Congress and a newspaper called Indian Opinion.
Phase of Passive Resistance or Satyagraha (1906-1914)
- In 1906, Gandhi began using a method called passive resistance, or civil disobedience, which he called satyagraha.
- After talks involving Gandhi, Lord Hardinge, C.F. Andrews, and General Smuts, an agreement was made.
- The South African government agreed to some Indian demands about things like taxes and marriage rules, and said they would be kinder to Indian immigrants.
Satyagraha Campaigns
Against Registration Certificates (1906):
- New laws said Indians had to carry registration certificates with their fingerprints all the time.
- Gandhi and others refused to follow this law.
- They started the Passive Resistance Association to break the law and accept the punishment without fighting back.
Against Migration Restrictions:
- They also fought against new laws that stopped Indian migration.
- Many Indians broke the rules by going to different places without permission.
- Lots of them were put in jail.
Against Poll Tax and Marriage Rules:
- All ex-indentured Indians had to pay a poll tax.
- They demanded the tax be removed.
- When the Supreme Court said only Christian marriages were valid, people were angry.
- This made Hindu, Muslim, and Parsi marriages illegal, and kids from those marriages were seen as not legitimate.
- This insulted women, so more women joined the protests.
Against Transvaal Immigration Act:
- Some Indians went from Natal to Transvaal even though it was against the law.
- They were put in jail. Gandhi’s friend Gokhale toured India, asking for support.
The viceroy, Lord Hardinge, also criticized the bad treatment of Indians.
Gandhi’s Experience in South Africa
- Gandhi learned that ordinary people can do a lot when they believe in something and are willing to give up things for it.
- He brought together Indians from different religions and backgrounds, including both men and women.
- He understood that leaders sometimes have to make choices that their supporters might not like.
- Gandhi also created his own way of leading and doing politics. He came up with new ways of fighting for his beliefs without being stopped by other political groups.
During his stay in South Africa, Gandhi formulated the Satyagraha method, which was based on truth and nonviolence. He blended Indian traditions with Christian principles like turning the other cheek and Tolstoy’s philosophy, advocating that nonviolent resistance was the most effective means to confront injustice.
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