Harilal Gandhi
Harilal Mohandas Gandhi was born on the 23rd of August 1888. His father left for England shortly after his birth to pursue higher studies. Harilal stayed behind in India with his mother Kasturba. He joined the Indian independence movement as a young man. Between 1908 and 1911, he faced imprisonment six times as a satyagrahi. This willingness to endure prison sentences earned him the nickname 'Chhote (Little) Gandhi'. He hoped to follow his father's path by studying law in England. Mahatma Gandhi firmly opposed this plan. The elder Gandhi believed Western education would not help the struggle against British rule. Tensions grew between them over this disagreement. In 1911, Harilal rebelled against his father's decision. He renounced all family ties during that year.
In 1906, Harilal married Gulab Gandhi. They had five children together: two daughters named Rami and Manu, and three sons named Kantilal, Rasiklal, and Shantilal. Rasiklal and Shantilal died at an early age. After Gulab died during the 1918 influenza pandemic, Harilal became detached from his remaining children. He contemplated marrying his wife's sister Kumi Adalaja. She was a child widow but the marriage did not happen. This failure led to further descent into alcoholism for Harilal. He eventually had four grandchildren through Rani, two through Kantilal, and one through Manu. Neelam Parikh later wrote a biography of him titled Gandhiji's Lost Jewel: Harilal Gandhi.
In May 1936, Harilal publicly converted to Islam at the age of 48. He renamed himself Abdullah Gandhi. Later on he re-converted back to Hinduism. His life took a downward turn after these religious shifts. The strain of family estrangement contributed to this decline. He struggled with alcoholism throughout his later years. In 1925, he lent Mahatma Gandhi's name to a Calcutta firm called All India Stores. A Muslim investor from Lyallpur feared this was a bogus firm. He sent a legal notice to Young India, whose editor was Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi replied that Harilal was indeed his son but their ideals differed. He stated Harilal had been living separately since 1915.
In June 1935, Mahatma Gandhi wrote a letter to Harilal. The letter accused him of alcohol abuse and debauchery. Gandhi stated that Harilal's problems were more difficult for him to deal with than the struggle for an independent India. One of these letters also accused Harilal of rape. The victims were either his sister-in-law or his daughters. These accusations created deep pain between father and son. In 2014, three letters written by Mahatma Gandhi to Harilal in 1935 were offered for auction. Harilal stayed in touch with his father sporadically through the years. They communicated sometimes through commonly known people right up to 1947.
Harilal died of tuberculosis four months after his father's assassination. His death occurred on the night of the 18th of June 1948. He was aged 59 when he passed away at a municipal hospital in Mumbai. This facility is now known as the Sewri TB Hospital. His death certificate is preserved at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's archives in Vakola. Records show he was admitted to the hospital after being found unconscious in Kamathipura. Harilal did not reveal to the staff that he was Gandhi's son. His family only found out about his hospitalization after his death. He appeared at his father's funeral in such poor health condition that few recognized him.
The troubled relationship between Harilal and his father became the subject of the film and play Gandhi My Father. The film adaptation was released on the 3rd of August 2007. It was directed by Feroz Abbas Khan and produced by Anil Kapoor. Akshaye Khanna portrayed Harilal in this production. Khan also created a play named Mahatma vs. Gandhi with a similar theme. There is also a Marathi play named Gandhi virudh Gandhi. The film received positive reviews from critics but failed at the box office. Neelam Parikh wrote a biography titled Gandhiji's Lost Jewel: Harilal Gandhi. Another book called Harilal Gandhi: What Life exists by Chandulal Bhagubhai Dalal.
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Common questions
When was Harilal Gandhi born and who were his parents?
Harilal Mohandas Gandhi was born on the 23rd of August 1888 to Mahatma Gandhi and Kasturba Gandhi. His father left for England shortly after his birth while Harilal stayed behind in India with his mother.
Why did Harilal Gandhi renounce his family ties in 1911?
Harilal Gandhi rebelled against his father's decision to oppose him studying law in England during 1911. He believed Western education would not help the struggle against British rule so he renounced all family ties that year.
What happened to Harilal Gandhi after Gulab Gandhi died in 1918?
After Gulab Gandhi died during the 1918 influenza pandemic Harilal became detached from his remaining children. This failure led to further descent into alcoholism for Harilal as he contemplated marrying his wife's sister Kumi Adalaja.
How did Harilal Gandhi die and where is his death certificate kept?
Harilal Gandhi died of tuberculosis on the night of the 18th of June 1948 at a municipal hospital in Mumbai now known as the Sewri TB Hospital. His death certificate is preserved at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's archives in Vakola.
Who portrayed Harilal Gandhi in the film Gandhi My Father released in 2007?
Akshaye Khanna portrayed Harilal Gandhi in the film adaptation of Gandhi My Father which was released on the 3rd of August 2007. The production was directed by Feroz Abbas Khan and produced by Anil Kapoor.