15 Best Mahatma Gandhi Books | Best List

This article lists the best books Mahatma Gandhi authored. It promises to be concise. Read through.

Introduction of Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi born on 2nd October 1869 – 30th January 1948, mostly known as Mahátmà, was an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist, and political ethicist.

He employed nonviolent resistance to lead the successful campaign for India’s independence from British rule and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world.

The honorific title Mahátmà first applied to him in 1914 in South Africa, and is used worldwide. Mahatma Karamch and Gandhi were born on 2nd October 1869 in Porbandar Kathiawar Agency. British Raj died on 30th January 1948. (treehouselodge.com)

Mahatma Gandhi Educational Portfolio

This is the Monuments Raj Ghat Gandhi Smriti-other, Mahatma Gandhi from New Delhi India. The cause of his death was assassination by gunshot wounds.

  • M.K.Gandhi citizenship British Raj (1869-1947)
  • Dominion India (1947-1948)
  • Alma mater Alfred High School Rajkot (1880-November 1887)
  • Samaldas Arts College Bhavnagar ( January 1880-July 1888)
  • Inner Temple London ( September 1888-1891)
  • Informal auditing student at University College London between 1888-1891 occupation lawyer anticolonialist.
  • Spouse: Kasturbai Gokuldas Kapadia (m. 1883; died 1944)
  • Children: Harilal, Manilal, Ramdas, Devdas .
  • Parents: Karamchand Gandhi (father) Putlibai Gandhi (mother).
  • Gandhi wrote thirty-one books.

Read: A Detailed Book Summary of “Find Your Why” by Simon Sinek

Political Portfolio

  • Political ethicist Years active 1893-1948  Era British Raj known for leadership of the campaign for India’s independence from British rule, Nonviolent resistance Notable work The story of my Experiments with Truth Office
  • 43rd president of the Indian National Congress Term 1924. Predecessor Abul Kalam Azad, Successor Sarojini Naidu
  • Political party Indian – National Congress 1920-1934
  • Movement – Indian Independence movement Gandhism 

Which Books Contain the Best of Mahatma Gandhi

The story of My Experiments with Truth is an autobiography of Gandhiji. This book covers the life of Gandhiji from early childhood through 1921.

The best autobiography Author M.K. Gandhi wrote this classic autobiography on Mahatma Gandhi’s life ‘The Story of my Experiments with Truth’.

Books that influenced Gandhi’s life

It was published in his journal Navijivan from 1925 to 1929.

Gandhiji read the following books with interest which includes:

  • Unto This Last week John Ruskin,
  • The kingdom of God is Within You- Leo Tolstoy,
  • A Tale of Two Cities -Charles Dickens,
  • Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire- Edward Gibbon,
  • Defense and Death of Socrates Plato,
  • Gulliver’s Travels- Jonathan Swift,
  • Ethical Religion – William Maclntyre Salter,
  • India: What can it teach us? Friedrich Max Muller,
  • Bhagavad Gita Ved Vyas R.R. Varma (Tr.)

Read: A Detailed Book Summary of “Peter Pan by J.M Barrie | 2023”

What was Gandhi’s Philosophy

Gandhiji’s philosophy is contained in his books on Truth, Non-Violence, Sarvodaya, and satyagraha and their significance. These make up Gandhian Philosophy and are the four pillars of Gandhian thought.

The two books that greatly inspired Gandhiji during his childhood are Sharwana pitribhakh and Harishchandra.

Best Mahatma Gandhi Books

The fifteen best Mahatma Gandhi books include:

  1.  An Autobiography The story of My Experiments with Truth
  2. Inspirational Thoughts
  3. The Bhagavad Gita
  4. The Peace (The words and inspiration of Mahatma Gandhi)
  5. Essential Gandhi
  6. Gandhi on Non-Violence
  7. The power of Non-violent Resistance selected writings
  8. Mohandas Gandhi: Essential Writings
  9.   Hind Swaraj or Indian Home Rule
  10. Words of Gandhi
  11. What is Hinduism?
  12. Third class in Indian Railways
  13. A week with Gandhi by Louis Fischer
  14. Mahatma Gandhi: Non-violent Power in Action by Dennis Dalton
  15. Gandhi’s Religion: A Home spun shawl by J.T.F. Jordens.

1) An Autobiography (The story of my Experiment s on with Truth):

It guides one through right and wrong. Most importantly, Gandhi experienced all these in his lifetime.

The original version of this book was firstly published in Gujarati and later it was translated into English and other Indian languages.

This book is divided into five parts, starting from his childhood and going till the year 1921. The autobiography of Gandhi ends in 1920, right near the time Gandhiji became a universal figure.

This book is about British East India and our freedom struggle, but it is mainly about Gandhiji’s”experiments” in his campaign and how he sticks to his beliefs.

2) Inspirational Thoughts:

This is also on the list of famous books written by Mahatma Gandhi. “Inspirational Thoughts” the quotes and lessons you will get from this book of Gandhi will always be in your mind and heart.

Each quote is deep, important, and meaningful, and everyone must understand. Gandhiji has given India not only freedom but also some excellent guidance.

Read: The Power of Now Book Summary | 2023 Review

3) The Bhagavad Gita

Gandhi is a very influential and inspiring book; in this, he told us about the “Gita” and its full meaning throughout this book.

The book by Gandhiji explains the Shlokas of the Bhagavad Gita and it’s for those searching for the translational version of the Bhagavad Gita.

4) The peace (The words and inspiration of Mahatma Gandhi)

The book describes his life story and how he began his journey, how his hopes became Inspirational, how his works encouraged others to do good, how others countered his beliefs on Nonviolent actions, and his words inspired others to fight for their freedom.

This short book summarizes the great Mahatma Gandhi and his life and what he had to do to achieve peace in India.

This book combines all photographs of Gandhi with quotations from his most inspirational speeches and writings to capture the reality of his timeless message of peace, equality, respect, and love.

5) The Essential Gandhi:

An Autobiography of his writings in his life, work, and ideas. This book centers on Gandhiji’s perspectives and life’s work and it’s a quick introduction to Gandhiji’s life and teaching; it is a good starting source to know about Gandhiji.

6) Gandhi on Non-Violence

The book gives a detailed overview of Gandhi’s thoughts, including much in his own words. Several of the quotes are quite great.

The introduction by Merton is also perfect and makes the book worth reading.

7) The power of Non-violent Resistance selected writings:

This excellent and good collection delves deep into the complexity of Gandhi’s systematic thinking about nonviolent resistance and its components.

8) Mohandas Gandhi: Essential Writings:

These books were written by Mahatma Gandhi and are created snippets from a wide range of publications of his work, and organized these snippets into topics.

Autobiographical writings, The pursuit of Truth, The search for God, The Practice of Non-Violence, the urgent need for nuclear disarmament, The life of steadfast resistance, Epilogue, and The Discipline of prayer and fasting.

Gandhi’s writings aim to inspire more people to see the endless Love for a reason, political power, and commitment to Non-Violence and spiritual liberation.

9) Hind Swaraj or Indian Home Rule

He wrote this book in his mother’s tongue, Gujarati, during his journey from London to South Africa at the SS Kildonan Castle from November 13 to November 22, 1909.

In the book, Gandhi analyzes the problems and causes of humanity in the present day.

The Gujarati version was banned by the British and was later translated into English.

10) Words of Gandhi

Given our present wars, Mahatma Gandhiji’s philosophy is equally applicable even today.

He was a powerful thinker, and it captures the important personal, spiritual, and political aspects of Gandhi’s work.

Read: The Fifth Discipline Book Review | 2023

11) What is Hinduism?

It is a collection of various articles written by Gandhi in different newspapers about his beliefs and trusts in religion or God.

12) Third class in Indian Railways:

This is a collection of six essays by Gandhi, in which Gandhi shares his views on different subjects, this view of Gandhiji is also relevant even today.

He shares these experiences in a straightforward manner so that anyone can understand.

The first essay is on poverty in India, especially when Gandhi traveled in trains across India.

The second essay is about the value of the Indian vernacular language; the next three essays are about Swadeshi, Non-Violence, and Cooperation.

13) A week with Gandhi by Louis Fischer:

The book conveys the essential humanity of Gandhi and his down-to-earth character.

Louis Fischer wrote more than one book on Gandhi and the biography of Gandhi called The Life of Mahatma Gandhi, published after Gandhi’s death.

The book is about India’s independence and the dilemma confronting Gandhi and the Congress.

14) Mahatma Gandhi: Nonviolent Power in Action by Dennis Dalton:

Dalton, a retired American professor and researcher, was one of Gandhi’s scholars. His book is about Gandhi’s political rivals and adversaries and a fascinating account of the Indian revolutionaries.

The book has two perfect service pieces: a fine account of the salt March and Gandhi’s great fast of September 1947, which brought peace to Calcutta.

Read: Review of the Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing

15) Gandhi’s Religion: A homespun shawl by J.T.F. Jordens

Coming to Jordens and Gandhi’s religion: Gandhi was a person of faith, but he had a highly personal, individual, eccentric attitude to faith.

He called himself a satanist Hindu – whichever means a devout or orthodox Hindu-but didn’t go into temples.

He challenged the prejudices of the Hindu tradition, particularly the practice of untouchability.

Also, he was a Hindu whose closest friend was an English Christian priest, CF Andrews.

A Hindu whose political program was that Hindus should not oppress Muslims and Muslims must have equal rights in an independent India.

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