NATIONAL: The Untold Saga of Gandhi and His Remarkable Lineage
Early Family Dynamics of Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi, father of four sons, maintained complex and evolving relationships with each. His first two sons, Harilal and Manilal, endured his stern discipline, while his third, Ramdas, received warmer affection. By the birth of his youngest, Devdas, Gandhi’s paternal demeanor had softened considerably. Devdas, a quiet and dutiful child, thrived in ashram life, engaging in activities such as spinning yarn and teaching Hindi to South Indians.
Defiance and a Love Story Tested by Time
In a rare act of defiance, Devdas fell in love with Lakshmi, daughter of Gandhi’s close associate C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji). Both fathers disapproved, imposing an extraordinary condition: no communication for five years. The couple complied with disciplined patience and, after the imposed separation, married in June 1933. Devdas pursued journalism at The Hindustan Times, and the couple settled in Delhi, raising four children—Tara (1934), Rajmohan (1935), Ramachandra (1937), and Gopal Krishna (1945). Their romance became a widely admired narrative among India’s middle class, inspiring similar commitments, including that of the author’s own parents.
Personal Encounters with the Devdas-Lakshmi Lineage
The author recalls meeting all four children of Devdas and Lakshmi, developing enduring friendships, particularly with the youngest, Gopal Krishna, during the 1980s in Delhi. Gopal introduced the author to his siblings: Tara, a polyglot and Khadi researcher; Rajmohan, an eminent scholar; and Ramachandra, a philosopher of deep intellectual gravitas.
Rajmohan Gandhi: Scholar, Politician, and Public Intellectual
Rajmohan Gandhi, who turned 90 on August 7, emerged as a public figure through his fearless editorial stewardship of Himmat magazine during the Emergency. His political engagement included contesting the 1989 Amethi Lok Sabha seat against then-Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, in a campaign famously framed as “the real Gandhi versus the adopted name.” Though defeated, he earned a Rajya Sabha seat for his spirited challenge.
Rajmohan’s literary contributions include acclaimed biographies of Rajaji and Sardar Patel, noted for their intellectual integrity. His writings, such as The Good Boatman, advanced nuanced arguments—for instance, positioning Jawaharlal Nehru as Gandhi’s rightful political heir despite policy differences, highlighting Nehru’s inclusive vision, cross-regional respect, and secular leadership.
Ramachandra Gandhi: A Philosopher in the Oral Tradition
In contrast, Ramachandra Gandhi’s intellectual engagement manifested through oral discourse reminiscent of classical Indian philosophical traditions. His conversations were meditative, free of humor but rich in contemplative depth, leaving lasting intellectual impressions.
Shared Concerns and Intellectual Influence
The author’s interactions with Rajmohan, spanning Delhi, Bangalore, Panchgani, and East Lansing, encompassed debates on democracy, pluralism, and the legacy of the freedom movement. These engagements softened the author’s earlier environmentalist critiques of Nehru’s developmental policies, prompting a more balanced historical assessment.
An Unrecorded Anecdote from Verrier Elwin’s Papers
A lesser-known detail about Rajmohan’s parents emerges from anthropologist Verrier Elwin’s correspondence. At the time of Devdas and Lakshmi’s wedding in Pune, Gandhi’s circle anticipated another satyagraha. Elwin noted that the newlyweds, “the only happy people in the group,” were determined to avoid imprisonment—a decision rendered moot when the protest was never launched. Devdas and Lakshmi instead began a life in Delhi, raising four children whose intellectual and public contributions left enduring marks on independent India’s history.