Kasturba Gandhi Biography

 Kasturba Gandhi, born as Kasturbai Makhanji Kapadia on April 11, 1869, was an influential figure in the Indian independence movement and the wife of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi. She played a significant role in supporting and assisting her husband in his activism, and she actively participated in various social and political campaigns.

Kasturba was born in Porbandar, Gujarat, India, into a wealthy middle-class family. At the age of 14, she married Mohandas Gandhi in an arranged marriage. Despite her lack of formal education, Kasturba was an intelligent and resilient woman who supported her husband's work and beliefs throughout their married life.

Kasturba and Gandhi had four sons: Harilal, Manilal, Ramdas, and Devdas. In 1894, after facing difficulties in their marriage and their early years in South Africa, the family returned to India. It was during their time in South Africa that both Kasturba and Gandhi became more actively involved in the struggle for civil rights and fought against racial discrimination faced by the Indian community.

As the wife of Mahatma Gandhi, Kasturba Gandhi was an integral part of his nonviolent resistance movements, including the famous Salt March in 1930. She actively participated in protests, picketing, and other civil disobedience campaigns alongside her husband. She also endured multiple arrests and imprisonments, facing harsh conditions in jail.

Kasturba Gandhi was a strong advocate for women's rights and was involved in various social and educational initiatives. She worked to promote female education, fought against child marriage, and supported the empowerment of women in Indian society.

Tragically, Kasturba Gandhi's health began to decline in the 1940s. She suffered from chronic bronchitis and was also diagnosed with pneumonia. On February 22, 1944, she passed away in the Aga Khan Palace in Pune, where she had been detained with Gandhi and other leaders during the Quit India Movement.

Kasturba Gandhi's contributions to the Indian independence movement, her unwavering support for her husband, and her own activism have made her an important figure in Indian history. Her life and sacrifices continue to inspire generations, and she is remembered as a symbol of strength, resilience, and dedication to the principles of truth and nonviolence.