Mahatma Gandhi with Zeb and Soapy Smith Duck in Delhi, India

Born Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, October 2, 1869 in Porbandar, India, he became the most famous Indian activist and leader of the Indian Independence movement against the British.   There are three museums in Delhi honoring Gandhi.   We visited Ghandi Smriti Museum.

Gandhi Smriti Museum, Delhi

Gandhi left India to study law in London.   After completing his studies, he went to South Africa in April 1893.   Ghandi remained there for 21 years fighting for civil rights for the Indian community in South Africa.   In 1914 in South Africa he was referred to as “Mahatma”, a title of honor meaning High Souled.   The world knows him as Mahatma Gandhi.   During the independence negotiations with England, part of India became Pakistan, the home for the Muslims of India.   The remainder of India was for the Hindus.   This caused many problems with people being asked to leave their homes and move to another area.   Gandhi was concerned about this.   This museum, formerly Birla House, was where Gandhi spent the last 144 days of his life.   Here is the path Gandhi walked for the last time.

Path with raised footprints

This was his nightly public walk.   He was in prayer here, when Nathuram Godse, a Hindu nationalist, shot three bullets into his chest.

Footprints leading to site of assassination

Gandhi died instantly.  His assassin did not approve of Gandhi’s ways with the Muslims and Hindus during this time in India.   Mahatma Gandhi died January 30, 1948.   Walkways on the grounds contain many signs with Gandhi’s quotes.

Quotes by Gandhi

After strolling through the grounds, we entered the main building, now a museum.

Entrance to home, now museum

Many quotes, artifacts and dioramas highlighted the life of Mahatma Gandhi.

Matama Gandhi during younger years

We enjoyed this photo of Gandhi in his younger days.  Gandhi believed in equality and freedom for all.   We even saw his thoughts regarding women’s rights.   He believed men and women were to complement each other and be respected equally by each other.   Zeb and Soapy liked this statue.

Gandhi with children and Colorado Traveling Ducks

Gandhi, with children and the Colorado Traveling Ducks.   Nearby is Raj Ghat, the black marble memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.

Black Marble Memorial where Gandhi was cremated

This marks the location, on the Yamuna River, where Gandhi was cremated.

Memorial with Zeb and Soapy

It is a calm, peaceful parklike location.   The walkways here are also lined with quotes of Mahatma Gandhi.

Many quotes of Gandhi

We particularly liked this wall.

Public drinking water wall at Raj Ghat, Delhi

Drinking water is provided here for visitors to Raj Ghat.   We hope you will visit some memorials to Gandhi when you are in Delhi.

Statue of Mahatma Gandhi

It is informative and offers tranquility in a city of 17-18 million people.

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