Tell me more ×
History Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for historians and history buffs. It's 100% free, no registration required.

I know that Gandhi was involved in the civil rights movement in South Africa during he beginning of the 20th century, but was there a specific person, or group, that he learned how to protest through non-violent means?

share|improve this question
You may find this article relevant. – Shahab May 14 '12 at 16:06

3 Answers

up vote 6 down vote accepted

Largely from his family religion of Jainism. Adding onto this was his exposure to Hindu, Buddhist and Theosophical thought while he was a student in London. His eventual philosophy of Satyagraha came to fruition from his experiences in South Africa.

share|improve this answer
I'd never heard the Jainisim angle (although it makes sense). What I had heard was that it was the influence of Thoreau and Tolstoy. So I went looking for some references. If you read through en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghandi#Influences , it turns out both are right. – T.E.D. May 14 '12 at 6:06

From Hinduism into which he was born. He was influenced by Jainism later. Jainism borrowed the concept of "ahimsa" or non-violence from Hinduism. Jains adopted and followed it with much greater rigor.

share|improve this answer

While Indian traditions have certainly influenced Gandhi very much, one mustn't neglect the large influence that Western (broadly construed) thought had on him. For instance, he was very influenced by Tolstoy.

share|improve this answer

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.