I cannot trace the origin of this book because it has written itself and it reflects the times in which I and my generation have grown. It is a dream-world from which I have not emerged. Gandhiji and his story are present all the time before my mind's eye. He is moving among us and talking to us, as he did only a few years ago. His death is but a small incident; he courted it and defied it many a time. It is only the finale to a majestic symphony.
When I look back, the death of Tilak and the national mourning come to my mind, with a vivid picture of Gandhiji leading the people, the very next day, to heroic heights. The first of August, 1920, is fixed deeply in the subconscious, though it was just the beginning of a great drama, developing almost without a flaw. I was then only ten years old.
I was drawn into the whirlwind of revolution like the millions. It was a queer revolution, defying the government in the open, in which the whole nation participated, pitting indomitable will against brute force. The mind became at once free, and defied starvation and death, and followed the great leader wherever he wanted us to go. It was not merely hero-worship but consciousness of strength, with which he imbued the people to break the shackles of their enslaved minds.
There were ups and downs in the nation's progress, but no stagnation. Gandhiji knew no defeat and inspired the people to march along a path never trodden before.
The present work is a simple narration of the events through which we have lived. It is a history of the last fifty years or so with Gandhiji in the foreground. There is no attempt either at moralization or dramatization of these exciting times. I have tried to tell the story faithfully, and, as far as possible, in the words of Gandhiji,who not only took the leading part in the movement but wrote the best commentary on it.
I never knew that I would undertake this work, although I was eager for many years to examine what Gandhiji did to mould the new thought. In the beginning I was a devotee, then a critic, and am now an impartial admirer. I belong to no particular school of thought, and have had no time, so far, to give my undivided attention to his philosophy as such. I did not always agree with him, but with his all-embracing life and his courage of conviction he has attracted me much more than any other historical figure.
I remember those early years when I read Young India with avidity and looked forward to the next issue. For thirty years, Gandhiji fed the minds of thousands and moulded the people's character imperceptibly. With perfect co-ordination between his activities and his writings and speeches, he set a supreme example for the people to follow, though they did not always do so intelligently. Today, it may seem that his influence has vanished and that he alone was his follower. But how can the seeds of great thoughts prove so barren?
Fortunately for India, Gandhiji lived long and led an intensely active life. It touched almost every phase of the nation's activity. His contacts were varied and his experiences unique. He made a gift of his wisdom to the world through his writings and speeches, illustrated by his actions. Einstein wrote: "Generations to come, it may be, will scarce believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth."
I had the good fortune of receiving Gandhiji's co-operation in completing this work, which involved many years of research and took six years to write. Some of the important speeches and writings were revised by Gandhiji himself for this book. Historical facts have been checked from the original sources as well as from some of Gandhiji's colleagues. Indian Opinion, Young India and Harijan have been an important source of material, and I am greatly indebted to Mahadev Desai and to some extent to Pyarelal.
To make the work authentic and detailed, I have consulted daily newspapers of the last fifty years. All available literature, in several Indian and foreign languages, has been made use of and the chaff sifted from the grain. In doubtful cases my final authority was Gandhiji himself. When I met him last on January 22, 1948, we discussed the smallest details -- the format of the biography, type, illustrations, standardization of spelling, quotation-marks and even hyphens. He took keen interest in my work, and always gave me his gracious co-operation.
I have also drawn upon important and not easily available letters in the custody of men close to Gandhiji and in private collections. In search of material I visited the important places associated with Gandhiji's name. And I still feel that mine is but a humble attempt to depict the life of one who has left behind treasure which is scattered and not yet made available to research students. I only hope that the material collected by me will be of use to future generations.
The work that I undertook many years ago has not always been smooth-sailing. There has been abundant co-operation, and some non-co-operation too. But Gandhiji being my chief guide I have been able to achieve something. I must mention here that we have yet to cultivate an appreciation of historical works. It was a painful experience to be told by some of Gandhiji's colleagues that they had destroyed his letters. Even big libraries in India do not possess files of Indian Opinion, Young India and Harijan.
Mine has been a strenuous task, but I have thoroughly enjoyed it, although I sometimes feel that it should have been undertaken by someone else. I am temperamentally not made for historical works. The artist in me remains not altogether satisfied. I have, however, chosen to stick to facts and eschewed material, however interesting, when there was the slightest doubt about its authenticity.
In completing the eight volumes of the present work, I have received help and co-operation from several friends and sympathizers. First, I am indebted to my friend, the late Yusuf J. Meherally, who supplied me withh books for over twenty years and goaded me to write, while I was only interested in reading. I may also reveal here that seeds of this book were sown in Nasik Jail where we were both detained in 1940, although it was scarcely realized by either of us then.
In the jail I met another friend, R. R. Diwakar, who took keen interest in my work and has made possible its publication in the present form. As an underground Congress worker in 1942-45, he actively collaborated with me in bringing out the seventy-fifth birthday volume, Gandhiji. He then suggested that I should write a full-length biography of Gandhiji. Having made that suggestion, he was keen on seeing that the eight volumes come out as early as possible. It is no exaggeration to say that he has taken greater interest in this work than in his own books.
The story of the publication of this work deserves a chapter by itself, but this is not the place for it. I can only mention that Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru offered his active co-operation from the very inception of the idea. He has been a source of strength to me for many years and has taken a personal interest in the publication of this biography. He also helped me in getting valuable material, and permitted me to use important letters in his possession. And, above everything, he has put his faith in me, which means so much for a sensitive person.
My chief co-worker in the present venture is Vithalbhai K. Jhaveri, my friend and colleague for the last twelve years. We have been together in several cultural activities. He made the seventy-fifth birthday volume on Gandhiji a beautiful production. In this work, he is not only responsible for the collection of rare illustrations and documents, for the fly-leaf and the jacket, but has not spared himself in getting material for my research work. He gave me access to his excellent library of Gandhian literature. By embellishing this work with apt illustrations, he has made it doubly interesting and informative. The illustrations for a vital part of what is a documentary work, and he has shown zeal and taste in collecting them. In designing the jacket and the fly-leaf Vithalbhai has received hearty co-operation from S. Dasgupta.
I am solely responsible for the text as well as for the structure of the book. I am aware of some of its defects which could perhaps have been avoided in more suitable circumstances. My friend and co-worker on the seventy-fifth birthday volume, M. Chalapathi Rau, went through the whole manuscript and helped me in chiselling it. He treated my work as his own and devoted to it several months of his very busy time.
My manuscript was also read by my friend, N.G. Jog, who has helped me in other ways. Some part of the manuscript was read by my friends, Yusuf J. Meherally, Rammanohar Lohia and Frank Moraes, and they gave me encouragement all the time.
For four years, my friend and colleague, Anu Bandyopadhyaya, has given me assistance in revising the manuscript. She has all through stood by me, and has treated my work as her own, for which I am greatful. She has assisted me in reading the proofs and has given me valuable help in avoiding typographical errors. Her able assistance has saved me from extra strain in preparing the glossary and the index.
Foremost among those who rendered spontaneous help from the very beginning to Vithalbhai and myself is Sumati Morarjee. She secured material for the book, and has helped us in several ways as few could have. She completely identified herself with the work and has made valuable contribution to it.
My old colleague and friend, Mridula Sarabhai, gave me assistance in contacting people and visiting places in connection with my work.
My two friends, Dr. N. B. Parulekar and Baburao Patel, freed me from economic worry to enable me to concentrate upon my labour of love.
Jivanjibhai D. Desai, on behalf of the Navajivan Trust, has rendered help by furnishing some material and by permitting the reproduction of Gandhiji's writings, the copyright material of the trust. For this I am thankful to the Navajivan Trust.
Acknowledgement is due to Visva-Bharati for permitting the use of Gandhi-Tagore correspondence and some illustrations.
Nirmal Kumar Bose, Gandhiji's secretary at Noakhali, furnished for the book some material. He also kindly went through the chapter on Noakhali. Manu Gandhi, U.M.D. Thakersey, Girdhari Kripalani and Samaldas Gandhi lent us some material. Dr. Manibhai Trivedi, C. M. Trivedi, D. R. D. Wadia, Kusumbehn Desai, Shivlal, and Kanu Gandhi have lent us photographs.
Among those who actively helped in securing material are R. G. Soman, Narendra Deva, D. S. Bakhle, Soli Batliwala, Khimjibhai Patel, Balkoba Bhave, Ratilal Sheth, V. C. Mashruwala and N. R. Phatak. R. K. Prabhu and G. N. Dhawan lent me their files of Young India and Harijan and put at my disposal other Gandhian literature. Usha Mehta translated a couple of articles by Gandhiji from Gujarati into English.
My thanks are due to the custodians of the Servants of India Society's Library in Poona, Sabarmati Ashram, Kashi Vidyapith, the Government Record Library and the Royal Asiatic Society's Library in Bombay, the All-India Congress Committee's Library in Allahabad, the Tolstoy Museum at Yasnaya Polyana.
In typing the manuscript which involved tremendous labour, I had the willing help of Bhaskar and Anant Avasare. M. V. Ganesh and C. V. Natesan also gave help.
Central Camera Co., Continental Photo Stores, Premier Offset Works, Provincial Industrial Co-operative Association, L. N. Renu, Pundlik Katgade, U. S. Mohan Rao, P. D. Tandon, Sitaram Gunthey, Harnarain Singh, Vidyutkumar V. Munshi, Champaklal C. Shah, V. N. Raiji, C. C. Shah, K. Nagesh Rao, S. A. Ayer, Giridhari, and M. O. Mathai gave their co-operation. Our thanks to J. Mistri for the silk screen printing on the book's cloth cover.
The responsibility of this publication has fallen on my shoulders and that of my colleague, Vithalbhai K. Jhaveri. This has been made possible by the donations given as loan to us by the following persons, to whom we are indebted:
The late Mr. Dhirajlal B. Desai, Mrs. Sushila Rani Baburao Patel, Mr. J. M. Cooper, Mr. M. N. Kulkarni, Mr. K. H. Kabbur, Mr. P. N. Kaul, Mr. Ramnath Potdar, Mr. Jehangir P. Patel, Mr. Pratap Dialdas, Messrs. Amulakh Amichand & Co., Crown Spinning & Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Bhaidas Maganlal & Co., N. M. Tripathi Ltd., Mafatlal Gagalbhai & Co., and the Maharajkumar of Vizianagram.
S. K. Patil has helped us in the arduous task of raising the money.
Our special thanks are due to Mr. J.C. Jain, General Manager of Bennett, Coleman & Co., Ltd., who has taken keen interest in the publication and has given all necessary facilities. We are also thankful to the workers of the Times of India Press for their hearty co-operation.
Our thanks are due to several other friends, in India and abroad, who have given us their ungrudging co-operation in the biography of one who belongs to the whole world.
When I look back, the death of Tilak and the national mourning come to my mind, with a vivid picture of Gandhiji leading the people, the very next day, to heroic heights. The first of August, 1920, is fixed deeply in the subconscious, though it was just the beginning of a great drama, developing almost without a flaw. I was then only ten years old.
I was drawn into the whirlwind of revolution like the millions. It was a queer revolution, defying the government in the open, in which the whole nation participated, pitting indomitable will against brute force. The mind became at once free, and defied starvation and death, and followed the great leader wherever he wanted us to go. It was not merely hero-worship but consciousness of strength, with which he imbued the people to break the shackles of their enslaved minds.
There were ups and downs in the nation's progress, but no stagnation. Gandhiji knew no defeat and inspired the people to march along a path never trodden before.
The present work is a simple narration of the events through which we have lived. It is a history of the last fifty years or so with Gandhiji in the foreground. There is no attempt either at moralization or dramatization of these exciting times. I have tried to tell the story faithfully, and, as far as possible, in the words of Gandhiji,who not only took the leading part in the movement but wrote the best commentary on it.
I never knew that I would undertake this work, although I was eager for many years to examine what Gandhiji did to mould the new thought. In the beginning I was a devotee, then a critic, and am now an impartial admirer. I belong to no particular school of thought, and have had no time, so far, to give my undivided attention to his philosophy as such. I did not always agree with him, but with his all-embracing life and his courage of conviction he has attracted me much more than any other historical figure.
I remember those early years when I read Young India with avidity and looked forward to the next issue. For thirty years, Gandhiji fed the minds of thousands and moulded the people's character imperceptibly. With perfect co-ordination between his activities and his writings and speeches, he set a supreme example for the people to follow, though they did not always do so intelligently. Today, it may seem that his influence has vanished and that he alone was his follower. But how can the seeds of great thoughts prove so barren?
Fortunately for India, Gandhiji lived long and led an intensely active life. It touched almost every phase of the nation's activity. His contacts were varied and his experiences unique. He made a gift of his wisdom to the world through his writings and speeches, illustrated by his actions. Einstein wrote: "Generations to come, it may be, will scarce believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth."
I had the good fortune of receiving Gandhiji's co-operation in completing this work, which involved many years of research and took six years to write. Some of the important speeches and writings were revised by Gandhiji himself for this book. Historical facts have been checked from the original sources as well as from some of Gandhiji's colleagues. Indian Opinion, Young India and Harijan have been an important source of material, and I am greatly indebted to Mahadev Desai and to some extent to Pyarelal.
To make the work authentic and detailed, I have consulted daily newspapers of the last fifty years. All available literature, in several Indian and foreign languages, has been made use of and the chaff sifted from the grain. In doubtful cases my final authority was Gandhiji himself. When I met him last on January 22, 1948, we discussed the smallest details -- the format of the biography, type, illustrations, standardization of spelling, quotation-marks and even hyphens. He took keen interest in my work, and always gave me his gracious co-operation.
I have also drawn upon important and not easily available letters in the custody of men close to Gandhiji and in private collections. In search of material I visited the important places associated with Gandhiji's name. And I still feel that mine is but a humble attempt to depict the life of one who has left behind treasure which is scattered and not yet made available to research students. I only hope that the material collected by me will be of use to future generations.
The work that I undertook many years ago has not always been smooth-sailing. There has been abundant co-operation, and some non-co-operation too. But Gandhiji being my chief guide I have been able to achieve something. I must mention here that we have yet to cultivate an appreciation of historical works. It was a painful experience to be told by some of Gandhiji's colleagues that they had destroyed his letters. Even big libraries in India do not possess files of Indian Opinion, Young India and Harijan.
Mine has been a strenuous task, but I have thoroughly enjoyed it, although I sometimes feel that it should have been undertaken by someone else. I am temperamentally not made for historical works. The artist in me remains not altogether satisfied. I have, however, chosen to stick to facts and eschewed material, however interesting, when there was the slightest doubt about its authenticity.
In completing the eight volumes of the present work, I have received help and co-operation from several friends and sympathizers. First, I am indebted to my friend, the late Yusuf J. Meherally, who supplied me withh books for over twenty years and goaded me to write, while I was only interested in reading. I may also reveal here that seeds of this book were sown in Nasik Jail where we were both detained in 1940, although it was scarcely realized by either of us then.
In the jail I met another friend, R. R. Diwakar, who took keen interest in my work and has made possible its publication in the present form. As an underground Congress worker in 1942-45, he actively collaborated with me in bringing out the seventy-fifth birthday volume, Gandhiji. He then suggested that I should write a full-length biography of Gandhiji. Having made that suggestion, he was keen on seeing that the eight volumes come out as early as possible. It is no exaggeration to say that he has taken greater interest in this work than in his own books.
The story of the publication of this work deserves a chapter by itself, but this is not the place for it. I can only mention that Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru offered his active co-operation from the very inception of the idea. He has been a source of strength to me for many years and has taken a personal interest in the publication of this biography. He also helped me in getting valuable material, and permitted me to use important letters in his possession. And, above everything, he has put his faith in me, which means so much for a sensitive person.
My chief co-worker in the present venture is Vithalbhai K. Jhaveri, my friend and colleague for the last twelve years. We have been together in several cultural activities. He made the seventy-fifth birthday volume on Gandhiji a beautiful production. In this work, he is not only responsible for the collection of rare illustrations and documents, for the fly-leaf and the jacket, but has not spared himself in getting material for my research work. He gave me access to his excellent library of Gandhian literature. By embellishing this work with apt illustrations, he has made it doubly interesting and informative. The illustrations for a vital part of what is a documentary work, and he has shown zeal and taste in collecting them. In designing the jacket and the fly-leaf Vithalbhai has received hearty co-operation from S. Dasgupta.
I am solely responsible for the text as well as for the structure of the book. I am aware of some of its defects which could perhaps have been avoided in more suitable circumstances. My friend and co-worker on the seventy-fifth birthday volume, M. Chalapathi Rau, went through the whole manuscript and helped me in chiselling it. He treated my work as his own and devoted to it several months of his very busy time.
My manuscript was also read by my friend, N.G. Jog, who has helped me in other ways. Some part of the manuscript was read by my friends, Yusuf J. Meherally, Rammanohar Lohia and Frank Moraes, and they gave me encouragement all the time.
For four years, my friend and colleague, Anu Bandyopadhyaya, has given me assistance in revising the manuscript. She has all through stood by me, and has treated my work as her own, for which I am greatful. She has assisted me in reading the proofs and has given me valuable help in avoiding typographical errors. Her able assistance has saved me from extra strain in preparing the glossary and the index.
Foremost among those who rendered spontaneous help from the very beginning to Vithalbhai and myself is Sumati Morarjee. She secured material for the book, and has helped us in several ways as few could have. She completely identified herself with the work and has made valuable contribution to it.
My old colleague and friend, Mridula Sarabhai, gave me assistance in contacting people and visiting places in connection with my work.
My two friends, Dr. N. B. Parulekar and Baburao Patel, freed me from economic worry to enable me to concentrate upon my labour of love.
Jivanjibhai D. Desai, on behalf of the Navajivan Trust, has rendered help by furnishing some material and by permitting the reproduction of Gandhiji's writings, the copyright material of the trust. For this I am thankful to the Navajivan Trust.
Acknowledgement is due to Visva-Bharati for permitting the use of Gandhi-Tagore correspondence and some illustrations.
Nirmal Kumar Bose, Gandhiji's secretary at Noakhali, furnished for the book some material. He also kindly went through the chapter on Noakhali. Manu Gandhi, U.M.D. Thakersey, Girdhari Kripalani and Samaldas Gandhi lent us some material. Dr. Manibhai Trivedi, C. M. Trivedi, D. R. D. Wadia, Kusumbehn Desai, Shivlal, and Kanu Gandhi have lent us photographs.
Among those who actively helped in securing material are R. G. Soman, Narendra Deva, D. S. Bakhle, Soli Batliwala, Khimjibhai Patel, Balkoba Bhave, Ratilal Sheth, V. C. Mashruwala and N. R. Phatak. R. K. Prabhu and G. N. Dhawan lent me their files of Young India and Harijan and put at my disposal other Gandhian literature. Usha Mehta translated a couple of articles by Gandhiji from Gujarati into English.
My thanks are due to the custodians of the Servants of India Society's Library in Poona, Sabarmati Ashram, Kashi Vidyapith, the Government Record Library and the Royal Asiatic Society's Library in Bombay, the All-India Congress Committee's Library in Allahabad, the Tolstoy Museum at Yasnaya Polyana.
In typing the manuscript which involved tremendous labour, I had the willing help of Bhaskar and Anant Avasare. M. V. Ganesh and C. V. Natesan also gave help.
Central Camera Co., Continental Photo Stores, Premier Offset Works, Provincial Industrial Co-operative Association, L. N. Renu, Pundlik Katgade, U. S. Mohan Rao, P. D. Tandon, Sitaram Gunthey, Harnarain Singh, Vidyutkumar V. Munshi, Champaklal C. Shah, V. N. Raiji, C. C. Shah, K. Nagesh Rao, S. A. Ayer, Giridhari, and M. O. Mathai gave their co-operation. Our thanks to J. Mistri for the silk screen printing on the book's cloth cover.
The responsibility of this publication has fallen on my shoulders and that of my colleague, Vithalbhai K. Jhaveri. This has been made possible by the donations given as loan to us by the following persons, to whom we are indebted:
The late Mr. Dhirajlal B. Desai, Mrs. Sushila Rani Baburao Patel, Mr. J. M. Cooper, Mr. M. N. Kulkarni, Mr. K. H. Kabbur, Mr. P. N. Kaul, Mr. Ramnath Potdar, Mr. Jehangir P. Patel, Mr. Pratap Dialdas, Messrs. Amulakh Amichand & Co., Crown Spinning & Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Bhaidas Maganlal & Co., N. M. Tripathi Ltd., Mafatlal Gagalbhai & Co., and the Maharajkumar of Vizianagram.
S. K. Patil has helped us in the arduous task of raising the money.
Our special thanks are due to Mr. J.C. Jain, General Manager of Bennett, Coleman & Co., Ltd., who has taken keen interest in the publication and has given all necessary facilities. We are also thankful to the workers of the Times of India Press for their hearty co-operation.
Our thanks are due to several other friends, in India and abroad, who have given us their ungrudging co-operation in the biography of one who belongs to the whole world.
D.G. TENDULKAR
