Mahatma Gandhi set foot in Delhi 100 years ago

New Delhi: It was exactly one hundred years ago on this day that Mahatma Gandhi, a feisty barrister newly returned from South Africa, stepped foot for the first time in Delhi.

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who returned to India from South Africa on January 9, 1915, arrived in Delhi on April 12 along with his wife Kasturba and others.He stayed here two days and records say that he visited the Qutab Minar, Red Fort, St Stephen’s college and the Sangam Theatre during that time. Upon his return to India, Gandhi had embarked on a tour of the country to observe and understand the life and miseries of ordinary Indians and feel the pulse of the nation before undertaking any political action, as was suggested to him by his political guru, Gopal Krishna Gokhale.

“On April 12, Gandhiji arrived in Delhi along with Kasturba, Raojibhai Kotwal, Deodhar and others. He parted company with all except Deodhar. He visited the Qutub Minar, which led to many thoughts. His guide, who was a scholar, told him that the monument was made of material collected by destroying Hindu temples.

“Bapu told us in the Aga Khan Palace detention camp how the sight had made him feel sick at heart. Gandhiji symbolised in his person equal respect for all religions. Memories of religious fanaticism responsible for the destruction of Hindu temples caused him deep pain,” says an excerpt from the 1993 book, ‘Mahatma Gandhi - India Awakened’, by Pyarelal and Sushila Nayar.

“The 13 April entry in his Diary notes a function of college students in the morning. It refers to St Stephen’s College. Presumably, he stayed with (the then) Principal Sushil Kumar Rudra, though there is no mention of this.