The City Of Bombay Played A Pivotal Role In Shaping Mahatma Gandhi And His Freedom Movements. Here's How!

October 2 is celebrated as World Peace Day throughout the world commemorating the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, better known as Bapu, was one of the top leaders in India’s fight for freedom from the British colonial rule. Using the tools of non-violence and truth, Gandhiji led the nation to freedom after 200 years of colonization.

The city of Bombay (now, Mumbai) has had a long history of association with the freedom movement. Little was known that the city played a pivotal role in the freedom struggle and shaped the boy, Mohandas to becoming the father of the nation, the Mahatma.

It all started when young Gandhi arrived in the city of Bombay in 1915 after his studies and experiences in South Africa via London. He had already become famous for his fight against apartheid in South Africa. Bombay was the nodal point of political activities and social movements. Upon his arrival in the city, he was greeted with prominent freedom leader - Balgangadhar Tilak, Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Mohammed Ali Jinnah.

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He stayed in the house of Revashankar Jhaveri in Santacruz, which is now known as the Mani Bhavan. It was Gandhi’s headquarters for almost 20 years. It was from here that Gandhiji launched almost all movements which defined the Indian freedom struggle. The most prominent movements were launched from Bombay which includes Non-Cooperation, Swadeshi, Khadi, Home Rule and Khilafat movements. His association with the charkha also began here in 1917.

In 1919, Gandhiji was extremely critical of the Rowlatt Act and launched the first nationwide protest against it from Mani Bhavan, Bombay. Consequently, in 1920, the non-cooperation began based on his ideas of satyagraha and ahimsa. The chief tenets of the Non-Cooperation Movement were boycotting the British goods and adopting the Swadeshi. Bombay, being the hub of trade and cloth community, was essential in the movement. Though the mill workers did not actively take part in the campaign, there were followers who played prime roles in the drive. The defining Quit India Movement was launched at the Bombay session of the All-India Congress Committee in 1942, demanding ‘swaraj’ or complete freedom. It was in 1946, a year before the independence, that Gandhiji last visited the city for a meeting.

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In the words of Gandhiji, he said, “Bombay has never disappointed me.” He was ever grateful to the Parsi community inhabiting the region who made Bombay what it was. It was due to the Parsi contribution who developed the civic culture in the city, not found in any other city of India. Their service, self-restraint and philanthropy was something that Gandhiji greatly revered. This refocused his moral principles.

Owing to its liberal culture and Parsi’s influence of modernity, the city’s culture reshaped Gandhiji’s limitations and modified his views significantly, as he became more inclusive over time. Bombay’s energy shaped the man Gandhiji became, subsequently shaping the country’s destiny in its struggle for freedom. Even, some part of Gandhiji’s ashes had been laid to rest in the Arabian Sea surrounding Mumbai.

The city and the man shared a special bond, which is not known by many. Gandhiji’s thoughts have been leading the world for a long time and will continue to do so in today’s tumultuous times. Here’s honouring the man who is the moral conscience of the entire world. Happy Gandhi Jayanti!