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UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 24th March 2025

Home / UPSC / Current Affairs / India receives Mahatma Gandhi artefacts from South Africa

India receives Mahatma Gandhi artefacts from South Africa

India receives Mahatma Gandhi artefacts from South Africa

Why in News?

India received artefacts and documents related to Mahatma Gandhi from the Phoenix Settlement Trust in South Africa.

India receives Mahatma Gandhi artefacts from South Africa

Introduction

  • Recently External Affairs Minister received artefacts and documents related to Mahatma Gandhi from the Phoenix Settlement Trust-Gandhi Development Trust (PST-GDT) in South Africa.
  • These items were handed over to the National Gandhi Museum, New Delhi, signifying the enduring legacy of Gandhi’s philosophy and his contributions to India’s freedom movement.

Establishment of the Phoenix Settlement (1904)

  • Mahatma Gandhi founded the Phoenix Settlement in 1904 in Inanda, near Durban, South Africa.
  • This ashram-like community was designed to promote self-sufficiency, education, and non-violent resistance.
  • The settlement became a center for community living and training in passive resistance, laying the foundation for Gandhi’s future campaigns against colonial oppression.

Influence on Satyagraha

  • During his time in South Africa between 1893 and 1914, Gandhi encountered severe racial discrimination, which profoundly influenced his ideology.
  • His philosophy of Satyagraha, based on truth and non-violent resistance, emerged in response to these injustices. Gandhi’s experiences in South Africa played a crucial role in shaping his later strategies for India’s independence movement.

Champaran and Kheda Satyagraha (1917-1918)

  • Gandhi led the Champaran movement in Bihar and the Kheda movement in Gujarat to support peasants against unjust taxation policies imposed by British landlords.
  • These movements marked his first major involvement in Indian politics and established his leadership in mass civil resistance.

Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922)

  • In response to British repression, Gandhi launched the Non-Cooperation Movement, urging Indians to boycott British institutions, return British honors, and reject foreign-made goods.
  • This movement mobilized millions and signaled a shift toward mass political participation in India’s struggle for independence.

Quit India Movement (1942)

  • During World War II, Gandhi launched the Quit India Movement, calling for immediate independence from British rule.
  • The movement led to mass arrests and violent crackdowns, but it ultimately strengthened India’s resolve for freedom.
  • The British recognized the growing demand for self-rule, which contributed to India’s eventual independence in 1947.

Assassination and Martyrs’ Day

  • On January 30, 1948, Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated by Nathuram Godse at Gandhi Smriti in New Delhi.
  • His death was a profound loss for the nation, and India observes January 30 as Martyrs’ Day to honor his contributions to the freedom movement.

Global Influence

  • Gandhi’s principles of non-violence, truth, and civil disobedience continue to inspire global movements for justice, equality, and human rights.
  • Leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, and the Dalai Lama have drawn inspiration from his philosophy in their struggles for civil rights and social justice.

Conclusion

  • The return of Mahatma Gandhi’s artefacts from the Phoenix Settlement Trust in South Africa underscores his enduring legacy and the deep historical ties between India and South Africa.
  • His principles of truth and non-violence remain relevant in contemporary struggles for justice, freedom, and human rights worldwide.
  • Gandhi’s life and teachings continue to guide movements for peace and equality, reinforcing his status as one of the most influential figures in modern history.

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