Mahatma Gandhi

Birth Name: Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

Date of Birth: 2 October, 1869

Place of Birth: Porbandar, Kathiawar Agency, British Raj

Date of Death: 30 January, 1948

Place of Death: New Delhi, India

Ethnicity: Gujarati Indian

Mahatma Gandhi was an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist, and political ethicist. He is known for leading the nonviolent resistance for India’s independence from British rule. His struggle inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. The honorific Mahātmā, meaning “great-souled” and “venerable” in Sanskrit, was first used to refer to him in 1914 in South Africa. It is now used worldwide.

Mahatma was the son of Putlibai and Karamchand Uttamchand Gandhi, who was a political figure in Porbandar, having been Diwan, chief minister, of Porbandar, Rajkot, and Wankaner. He was from a Gujarati Modh Bania family of the Vaishya varna. His father was Hindu. Mahatma’s mother was from a Pranami Vaishnava family.

Mahatma was married to political activist Kasturba Gandhi (née Kasturbai Gokuldas Kapadia), until her death, with whom he had four children, Harilal Gandhi, Manilal Gandhi, Ramdas Gandhi, and Devdas Gandhi. Among his grandchildren are socio-political activist Arun Manilal Gandhi, South African peace activist Ela Gandhi, scientist Kanu Gandhi, historian Rajmohan Gandhi, philosopher Ramchandra Gandhi, and politician Gopalkrishna Gandhi. Gopalkrishna served as Governor of West Bengal, from 14 December, 2004 to 14 December, 2009, and Governor of Bihar, from 31 January, 2006 to 21 June, 2006.

Mahatma was not related to the famous Indian political Gandhi family of Indira Gandhi and others.

Mahatma’s patrilineal line can be traced to Lalji Gandhi, who was born, c. 1674, and was from Junagadh, Gujarat, India.

Mahatma’s paternal grandfather was named Uttamchand “Utta” Gandhi (the son of Harjivan Gandhi). Utta was possibly born in Porbandar, Gujarat, British India. Harjivan was the son of Rahidas Gandhi.

Mahatma’s paternal grandmother was named Laxmi Gandhi.

Source: Genealogy of Mahatma Gandhi (focusing on his father’s side) – https://www.geni.com