Mahatam Gandhi Life & Events - - World of Biography, Media Matrix, India

GANDHI FAMILY TREE

The Gandhi's belonged to the Bania (trading community) caste. Uttamchand Gandhi alias Ota Gandhi was a man of principle. He was a Divan at Sudamapuri (now known as Porbandar), but the unbearable state intrigues compelled him to migrate to Junagadh, in the erstwhile royal western state of Gujarat, India. After the death of his first wife, he remarried. He had six sons in all, four by his first wife and two by the second wife. The fifth son was Karamchand Gandhi alias Kaba Gandhi and the sixth was Tulsidas Gandhi. Kaba Gandhi and Tulsidas Gandhi were appointed as Prime Ministers in Porbandar consecutively Kaba Gandhi was a member of the Rajasthanik court (now extinct), which used to settle the disputes between the chiefs in Porbandar. Later he was appointed the Prime Minister of two districts namely Rajkot and Vankaner. Thereafter, he served as a pensioner of the Rajkot State.

Unfortunately, Kaba Gandhi had to marry four times because his wife died each time. By his first and second marriages Kaba Gandhi had two daughters. His last wife Putlibai bore him a daughter and three sons. The youngest child was named Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.

Kaba Gandhi, who was truthful, brave, generous and short tempered, loved his family. He had a strong character and was well known for his strict impartiality in his family as well as for the others. He was also well known for his loyalty to the state of Rajkot. For instance, once when an Assistant Political Agent spoke about the Rajkot Thakore Saheb in an insulting manner Kaba Gandhi defended his chief. Kaba Gandhi, who had infuriated the Agent refused to apologize when he was asked to do so. As a result, he was kept under detention for a few hours. The Agent saw that Kaba was adamant and he finally ordered his release.

Kaba Gandhi did not have much of formal education as he studied up to the fifth grade. However, by his rich experience, he was always efficient in solving the most intricate questions managing hundreds of men. He would frequently visit the temples and listen

to the sermons. In his last days, a family friend who was also a learned Brahmin, advised him to read the Bhagwad Gita. As a result, he used to repeat aloud some verses at the time of worship.

Putlibai was a deeply pious woman. She had her meals only after having said her daily prayers. Going to the Haveli - the Vaishnava temple - was a part of her routine. She always observed fast during Chaturmas, the Hindu month of fasting. She would take the most difficult vow and would remain undeterred to the extent that she would fast even during illness. For instance, once, when she was observing the Chandrayana fast, she fell ill. She then did not break her fast even then. During the Chaturmas, Putlibai used to eat only once a day.

Putlibai had a lot of common sense. She was also well informed about the matters of the state. The ladies of the court held in high esteem for her intelligence.

Kaba Gandhi and Putlibai were blessed with a son on October 2, 1869. The child was named Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. The child was born at Porbandar and he also passed his childhood and had his early schooling at there. This child grew up to be one of the greatest leaders in Indian history. This leader who led India to freedom came later to be known as Gandhiji or Mahatma Gandhi.