Kaba Gandhi No Delo
Kaba Gandhi No Delo stands on Lakhajiraj Road in Rajkot, Gujarat. The land for this residence arrived in early 1880 from the Rajkot State government. Karamchand Gandhi received a plot of land to build his family home after moving to the city two years prior. He had been appointed Diwan, or prime minister, of the Rajkot State in 1874. His native village was Porbandar before he relocated for work. The family moved into their new house in 1881 from a previously rented dwelling. Mahatma Gandhi was twelve years old when they entered these rooms.
Mahatma Gandhi lived within these walls from 1881 until 1915. He married Kasturba during his stay here and welcomed sons Harilal and Manilal between 1881 and 1887. Kaba Gandhi died inside this building in 1885 while still serving as Diwan. The house remained the primary family home even when Mahatma traveled to London and later South Africa. Upon returning from South Africa in 1915, he established Kochrab Ashram in Ahmedabad instead of staying at this location. The family sold the property in 1920 after decades of residence.
The government of Saurashtra State purchased the building in 1948 following Indian independence. Putliba Udyogmandir Trust operated educational and sewing classes from the site for several years before relocating elsewhere. A permanent pictorial exhibition known as Gandhi Smriti now occupies the space. The trust received the property in 1969 on the birth centenary of Gandhi. This transfer marked a shift from private family ownership to public historical preservation.
The structure features an arched gateway leading into a courtyard surrounded by rooms. Painted white and yellow, the haveli displays traditional Saurashtrian or Kathiawari architectural style. It stands at address number 8 on Kadiya Navline near Gheekanta Road. Two floors contain nine rooms plus a kitchen adjacent to the central courtyard. A hand pump sits within the open courtyard area. The large gate distinguishes itself compared to other gates and small shops in the neighborhood.
Gandhi Smriti serves as a permanent pictorial exhibition inside the house today. Photographs, paintings, objects, and personal belongings related to Mahatma Gandhi fill the display areas. The exhibition replaced earlier uses like the sewing classes run by Putliba Udyogmandir Trust. Visitors view these items while walking through the rooms that once housed the Gandhi family. The building continues its role as a center for remembrance and education in modern India.
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Common questions
Where is Kaba Gandhi No Delo located?
Kaba Gandhi No Delo stands on Lakhajiraj Road in Rajkot, Gujarat. The structure features an arched gateway leading into a courtyard surrounded by rooms at address number 8 on Kadiya Navline near Gheekanta Road.
When did the family move into Kaba Gandhi No Delo?
The family moved into their new house in 1881 from a previously rented dwelling. Mahatma Gandhi lived within these walls from 1881 until 1915.
Who purchased Kaba Gandhi No Delo after Indian independence?
The government of Saurashtra State purchased the building in 1948 following Indian independence. Putliba Udyogmandir Trust operated educational and sewing classes from the site for several years before relocating elsewhere.
What architectural style does Kaba Gandhi No Delo display?
Painted white and yellow, the haveli displays traditional Saurashtrian or Kathiawari architectural style. Two floors contain nine rooms plus a kitchen adjacent to the central courtyard with a hand pump sitting within the open area.
Why is Kaba Gandhi No Delo significant today?
A permanent pictorial exhibition known as Gandhi Smriti now occupies the space. The trust received the property in 1969 on the birth centenary of Gandhi to mark a shift from private family ownership to public historical preservation.