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Kasturba Gandhi was born into a middle-class family in Porbandar, a coastal town in Gujarat. She was the daughter of Gokuladas Meghji and Vrajkunwerba. Kasturba grew up in an environment that valued simplicity and ethics, which would later influence her role in the Indian independence movement. -
Kasturba Gandhi married Mahatma Gandhi in 1883 at the age of 13. Despite the early marriage, they formed a strong partnership. Kasturba supported Gandhi's activism, becoming deeply involved in his social reforms, campaigns for civil rights, nonviolence, and independence. Their relationship was built on mutual respect and shared dedication to social causes. -
The Salt March (1930) was a pivotal event in the Indian independence movement. Kasturba Gandhi supported her husband, Mahatma Gandhi, despite her health struggles. While she couldn't join the march physically, she offered moral support and helped organize local resistance against the British salt tax. -
From 1939 to 1944, Kasturba Gandhi focused on women’s education, empowerment, and family welfare. She advocated for women's access to education and healthcare, organized women’s groups for national protests, and championed issues like child marriage, girls' education, and swadeshi (self-reliance), encouraging women to join the independence movement. -
In 1942, Kasturba Gandhi was arrested during the Quit India Movement and detained at Aga Khan Palace, Pune, alongside her husband. Her arrest reflected her active involvement in the struggle for India's independence. Even in captivity, she continued advocating for the welfare and rights of women and children. -
Kasturba Gandhi remains an iconic figure in India’s history, not just as the wife of Mahatma Gandhi, but as a leader in her own right. Her role in empowering women, promoting social reforms, and participating in the independence struggle is celebrated.
She has become a symbol of selfless service, sacrifice, and determination for a better society. Today, her life continues to inspire generations in the fight for equality, women’s rights, and social justice.