Gandhi and His Critics

by B.R. Nanda

Written for all those whose curiosity about Gandhi was sparked by Richard Attenborough's film, or for anyone who would like to know more about this strangely enigmatic leader, this is a fascinating in-depth study of Gandhi's personality and thought. The book explores the evolution of Gandhi's
ideas, his attitudes toward religion, the racial problem, the caste system, his conflict with the British, his approach to Muslim separatism and the division of India, his attitude toward social and economic change, his doctrine of nonviolence, and other key issues. Throughout, the author sheds new
light on the mighty figure who initiated revolutions against racism, colonialism, and violence.

Genres: India, History

188 pages, Paperback

First published November 21, 1985

Reviews

[Vipul Vivek M-D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished a book I picked up after a long time. Spotted the Oxford India Paperbacks edition first at the Delhi book fair this year. Did not pick it up. Then stumbled on to it again among Parel's recommendations in his introduction to Hind Swaraj. Finally picked up the OIP edition after I found it lying in a stack of other Gandhi books on a colleague's desk. This is a good place to begin if you are looking for replies to criticisms of Gandhi. Historical, contextual, lucid, showing the transition of some of his own critics from 'indifference to ridicule to abuse to repression to respect'--even though more interested in defending Gandhi than understanding him (emphasis on 'more', not saying that Nanda is not trying to understand him). For a critique, your next stop should be the first part of Bilgrami's Secularism, Identity and Disenchantment.

[Siddhant Singh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good arguments about the mahatma’s life, but the opinion seems very biased to satisfy a glorified figure...