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This book is written by Mahatma Gandhi, considered as the national hero of India and revered by many famous people during his lifetime. He was a native Dravidian and devout Hindu belonging to a middle class caste. He grown up not on body but in spirit and taught about the equality of all races, non – violent struggle and living in simplicity.
In this book, he describes his autobiography, the ancestry of his parents, his hometown in Porbandar (Sudamapuri), and education in his native land and in England which ruled India and a fourth of the world in his time. He then describes his return in India as a lawyer and his journey across South Africa to help in the struggle of Indians against unfair wages and discrimination imposed by the British. Then he went back to India to organize a movement for independence of the country against the English Crown.
In his writings, he tells us his thoughts and criticisms about the religions of Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Protestants which he encountered. Describes his impressions about himself and the British, and how he formed his ideals when he was still young. With great effort against the English he manages to stick to his religion (Hinduism) and to avoid all meat and milk. In South Africa, he formed a union for Indian workers to fight for their rights. In this movement he first conceptualized and formulated the Satyagraha movement.
Back to India he further contemplated about the use of satyagraha for the independence of India. He tells us what is the ideal public servant, with down – t0 – earth attitude, honest with integrity, willing to learn from others, unimposing and not accepting any gifts for his work. He explains that this attributes are more important than the education and knowledge of a person, he will be seen as a leader by example and not as a daunting tyrant. His struggles and views was held with high regard by intellectuals among the world, he even won many friends among the British.
He died in a assassin’s bullet, fired by a fellow Hindu who fiercely opposes his idea of equality of races and religions.