The Power of Peace: How Gandhi’s non-violence reshaped India’s fight for freedom
By: Dr. Reyaz Ahmad
Before Mahatma Gandhi entered the national stage, India’s struggle for freedom had largely been written in the ink of revolts, bloodshed, and suppression. The Revolt of 1857, tribal uprisings, and acts of armed resistance showed immense courage but often ended in devastating loss and harsher colonial control.
In a political climate where the Empire’s military power was unmatched, Gandhi offered a new and radical alternative — Satyagraha, meaning “truth-force” or “soul-force.”
Gandhi’s vision was not simply about avoiding violence; it was about transforming resistance into a moral awakening, both for the oppressed and the oppressor. His idea turned the act of protest into a disciplined, ethical, and deeply human movement — a method that could break chains without drawing blood.
Philosophical Roots
The foundation of Gandhi’s non-violence lay in ancient spiritual traditions and modern moral thought. From Jainism, he adopted the principle of ahimsa — total non-injury to all living beings.
Hinduism taught him the lesson from the Bhagavad Gita that true strength lies in self-control. From Christianity, he embraced forgiveness and the Sermon on the Mount’s call to “turn the other cheek.” The writings of Leo Tolstoy reinforced his belief that moral power could outlast brute force.
Respect for Islam as a Faith
- Gandhi publicly expressed admiration for the ethical and spiritual principles of Islam, especially its emphasis on equality, charity (zakat), and devotion to God.
- He often said all major religions contained truth, and Islam was no exception.
- In Young India (1924), he wrote that he had “profound respect for the moral earnestness of Islam.”
Gandhi’s opinion of Muslims and Islam was rooted in respect, a belief in shared humanity, and a conviction that Hindus and Muslims could live together in harmony. He criticized fanaticism and violence but never the faith itself—only the misuse of it.
To Gandhi, nonviolence was not a sign of weakness. It was an active, deliberate confrontation with injustice — refusing to cooperate with evil while holding firm to truth. This approach demanded far more courage than armed resistance because it called for enduring suffering without retaliation.
Major Campaigns
Gandhi put theory into action through campaigns that mobilized millions and rattled the colonial administration.
- Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–22): Gandhi urged Indians to boycott British goods, government institutions, and titles. Schools, courts, and legislative councils saw mass resignations. It was the first time in modern history that an empire faced organized, non-violent disobedience on such a scale.
- Salt March (1930): The British salt monopoly — a basic necessity — became a symbol of unjust control. Gandhi’s 240-mile walk from Sabarmati to Dandi, where he made salt in defiance of the law, captured global headlines. His simple act exposed the absurdity of imperial authority and inspired civil disobedience across the nation.
- Quit India Movement (1942): Launched during World War II, it was Gandhi’s most direct call for immediate independence. Despite mass arrests and violent crackdowns, the movement united Indians across religion, region, and class in a show of moral defiance.
Impact on British Rule
Gandhi’s approach confronted the British with a dilemma they were ill-prepared for. Violent uprisings could be crushed with military might, but peaceful protests, especially when met with force, damaged Britain’s global image as a “civilizing power.” Photographs and news reports of unarmed Indians being beaten and jailed travelled the world, igniting sympathy for India’s cause and criticism of colonial rule.
Ultimately, Gandhi’s strategies did not just weaken Britain’s grip; they shifted the terms of the struggle from a question of political power to one of moral legitimacy — a battle the Empire could not win.
Global Influence
The philosophy born in India did not end with India’s independence in 1947. Gandhi’s ideas became a blueprint for struggles against injustice worldwide.
. Martin Luther King Jr. used non-violent civil disobedience in the American civil rights movement, leading to landmark victories against racial segregation.
- Nelson Mandela drew upon Gandhi’s methods during the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa.
- Peace activists from Eastern Europe to Latin America adapted Satyagraha to resist dictatorships without bloodshed.
Gandhi’s message was universal — that peace, when rooted in truth and discipline, could dismantle even the mightiest systems of oppression.
Here are a few classics, well-documented quotes from global leaders about Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence:
Martin Luther King Jr.
“I learned from Gandhi that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it.”
This reflects how deeply Gandhi’s example influenced MLK in shaping the U.S. civil rights movement.
Nelson Mandela
“Gandhi was the guiding light of our freedom struggle.”
Mandela admired Gandhi’s leadership of peaceful resistance, seeing it as essential inspiration during South Africa’s anti-apartheid fight.
Albert Einstein
“Generations to come will scarce believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth.”
Einstein, in profound awe of Gandhi’s impact, praised him as a singular moral force.
Jawaharlal Nehru
“It was his unshakeable belief in truth and non-violence that held the Indian people together.”
Nehru credited Gandhi’s ideals as the glue binding India’s struggle for independence.
That said, there are still a few celebrated remarks worth highlighting. While not always verbatim, these paraphrased sentiments are frequently attributed to prominent figures effectually honoring Gandhi’s legacy:
David Ben-Gurion (First Prime Minister of Israel)
Expressing admiration for Gandhi’s moral courage, he emphasized the transformative power of nonviolent resistance—viewing Gandhi as an example of how peaceful action can reshape nations.
Dwight D. Eisenhower (34th U.S. President)
He reportedly reflected on Gandhi’s achievements by noting how revolutionary change doesn’t always require violence—sometimes a steadfast commitment to righteousness is enough.
Aung San Suu Kyi (Myanmar Leader and Nobel Laureate)
Suu Kyi has often acknowledged Gandhi’s nonviolent campaign as a guiding ideal during Myanmar’s struggles for freedom, even referring to the power of civil disobedience in later speeches.
Václav Havel (Former Czech President and Dissident)
As a leader of nonviolent protest himself, Havel admired Gandhi’s belief in inner strength and moral authority, which he reportedly referenced as instrumental for his own peaceful resistance.
Mahatma Gandhi’s Legacy at the United Nations
Numerous UN resolutions and speeches by UN officials cite Gandhi as “the apostle of non-violence,” recognizing his method as a model for peaceful conflict resolution worldwide.
Criticisms and Limitations
Non-violence, however, was not without debate. Revolutionary leaders like Subhas Chandra Bose believed armed struggle was essential for expelling the British quickly. Others felt that non-violence could fail in situations where the oppressor had no moral conscience. Gandhi acknowledged these criticisms but maintained that violence, even when used for a just cause, planted the seeds for future cycles of hatred and oppression.
Conclusion: Gandhi’s non-violence transformed India’s freedom struggle from a fragmented fight into a united moral revolution. It proved that peace, in the hands of the determined, could become a weapon more powerful than the sword.
In today’s world — scarred by wars, terrorism, and political extremism — Gandhi’s philosophy is not merely a historical lesson, but a living challenge: to choose courage without cruelty, and resistance without revenge.
(The author works at the Faculty of Mathematics, Department of General Education SUC, Sharjah, UAE)
