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Discover the Unknown: Top 10 Fun and Fascinating Facts About Gandhi You Never Knew

illustration of gandhi
Dive into the intriguing world of Mahatma Gandhi, as we unveil little-known tidbits that may surprise even the most ardent admirers of this influential leader.

1. Weaving Wizard of Independence

Mahatma Gandhi, a silent spin-jitsu master in his own right, could give any modern hipster a run for their money when it came to spinning old-fashioned threads: Gandhi, a staunch advocate for traditional clothing and hand spinning, utilized this craft to reject Western culture and promote economic independence by urging his followers to discard European-style clothing in favor of ancient Indian garb, thus sparking a larger movement to boycott British goods and support self-sufficiency, all while fastening his status as the weaving wizard of Indian independence.
Source => ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

2. Fasting for Peace, Assassinated After

It's a fine line between fasting and starving, especially when the stakes are high on the hunger games of peace: In 1948, Gandhi undertook a successful fasting campaign in New Delhi to bring about peace between Hindus and Muslims, only to be assassinated by a Hindu extremist less than two weeks after breaking his fast, while on his way to an evening prayer meeting.
Source => history.com

3. Sugar-Free Jedi Master

Sugar-coated requests and the ultimate Jedi of self-mastery: Gandhi, when asked by a woman to advise her sugar-addicted son, took two weeks to quit sugar himself before counseling the boy to do the same – and that, ladies and gentlemen, is how you walk the talk with a twist of sweetness!
Source => linkedin.com

4. Sleeping Naked for Celibacy

Playing "hard to get" at a whole new level: Gandhi regularly slept with naked young women, including his own grandnieces, not for any carnal desires, but to test his celibate self-control and strive for brahmacharya, the Hindu concept of celibacy, aiming to be in complete control of one's lustful intentions and be capable of being unaffected by any kind of sexual arousal.
Source => theguardian.com

Freedom Fighter in a Dhoti

5. Freedom Fighter in a Dhoti

Dressed to kilt those British chills: Gandhi showcased his penchant for spinning class by carefully wrapping himself in a handmade dhoti, demolishing the idea that one couldn't comfortably fight for freedom in a single piece of clothing.
Source => britannica.com

6. Revolutionary Walk-a-Thon

Before there was "Walk it Off" in fitness circles, Gandhi took it up a notch and turned it into a revolutionary movement: Mahatma Gandhi led thousands on the iconic 240-mile Salt March from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi in 1930, defying the unjust British Salt Act and taking the first steps towards India's independence, with a pinch of salt and a dollop of nonviolent resistance.
Source => thenonviolenceproject.wisc.edu

7. Witty Lawyer Turned Activist

Who said lawyers don't have a funny bone? Well, Gandhi might have left his briefcase behind, but his wit and wisdom never left the courtroom: Mahatma Gandhi practiced law for over 20 years before dedicating his life to fighting racism and social injustices through his Satyagraha campaigns, and his legal legacy still emphasizes the importance of unifying opposing parties, promoting compromise, and seeking the truth through the paramount importance of facts.
Source => mkgandhi.org

8. Loin Cloth Fashionista

Loin and behold, we present to you the fashionista of non-violence: Mahatma Gandhi was known for making a statement with a simple loin cloth, spinning his own threads, and encouraging homespun textiles to boycott British goods while promoting Indian self-sufficiency.
Source => regent.edu

9. Ashes Spread Across India

Who says you can't be in two places at once? Gandhi sure knew a thing or two about spreading the love: His ashes were divided into multiple urns and ceremoniously committed to India's sacred rivers, the Himalayas, and distributed to Congress Party leaders, ensuring his final resting place spanned across significant regions of the country.
Source => apnews.com

From Dapper Dude to Loincloth Leader

10. From Dapper Dude to Loincloth Leader

Before he became the "Bare Necessities" guy, Gandhi moonlighted as a dapper dude with quite the flair for fashion: In his unpublished Guide to London, he passionately advocated for proper English attire as a reflection of one's character, but his own gentlemanly wardrobe drastically transformed into the iconic loincloth and khadi after experiencing racism in South Africa, which sparked his awakening as a self-respecting Indian leader.
Source => thestatesman.com

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