Globally renowned with the honorific title Mahatma Gandhi, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was a significant leader of the Indian nationalist movement against British rule. Born in 1869 in Porbandar, India, he trained as a lawyer in England. His profession led him to South Africa, where he experienced racial prejudice, sowing the seeds of his nonviolent resistance philosophy, satyagraha.

Throughout his autobiography, Gandhi does not merely chronicle his life but delves into his spiritual, moral, and philosophical evolutions. His transparency about his flaws and failures makes him relatable, and his commitment to truth (satya) is evident throughout the book. The text provides insights into how Gandhi’s life experiences, experiments with truth, and interactions with various global philosophies shaped his approach to the Indian independence movement, emphasizing how he led by example and promoted a peaceful route to change.

Often referred to as “Ba,” Kasturba Gandhi was the wife of Mohandas Gandhi. They married when both were very young, and their relationship evolved over time from traditional roles to one of mutual respect and partnership. Throughout Gandhi’s autobiography, the text reveals how Kasturba’s significance wasn’t just as his wife but as a pillar of strength, resilience, and occasionally resistance, challenging Gandhi’s convictions at times.