Analyzing the "Making of the Mahatma" Statement

The question asks to identify the person who made the significant statement: South Africa was "the making of the Mahatma". This statement refers to the transformative period in Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi's life spent in South Africa, where he developed his philosophy and methods of non-violent resistance, which he later applied in India.

Identifying the Author of the Statement

This particular phrasing, or a very similar sentiment attributing Gandhi's political and philosophical development to his experiences in South Africa, is widely associated with a specific author and historian who wrote about Gandhi's life.

• The statement highlights how Gandhi's struggles against racial discrimination and injustice in South Africa between 1893 and 1914 profoundly shaped his character and his approach to leadership and activism.
• It was during this period that Gandhi first experimented with Satyagraha, his unique form of non-violent civil disobedience.

Examining the Options

Let's consider the individuals presented in the options:

While all these individuals were connected to Gandhi and the Indian freedom movement, the statement "South Africa was 'the making of the Mahatma'" is specifically attributed to the historian who analyzed Gandhi's life and influences.

The Correct Attribution

The historian and writer who is credited with making or popularizing the statement that South Africa played a crucial role in shaping Gandhi into the 'Mahatma' he became is Chandran Devanesan.

His work provides insight into how the challenges faced by the Indian community in South Africa spurred Gandhi's transformation from a young lawyer into a seasoned leader and the proponent of Satyagraha.

Therefore, the correct individual is Chandran Devanesan.

Revision Table: Key Figures and the Statement

Additional Information: Gandhi's South Africa Experience

Mahatma Gandhi's time in South Africa (1893-1914) was a pivotal period that shaped his future leadership in India. His experiences with racial discrimination and the struggle for the rights of Indians there were fundamental to the development of his philosophy of non-violent resistance, known as Satyagraha (truth force or soul force).

• He faced humiliation, such as being thrown off a train compartment meant only for whites (Pietermaritzburg incident in 1893).
• These experiences galvanized him to fight for justice using peaceful means.
• He organized campaigns against discriminatory laws like the Black Act (forcing registration of Indians) and the Poll Tax.
• Key campaigns like the Passive Resistance movement tested and refined the principles of Satyagraha.
• He established Phoenix Settlement and Tolstoy Farm, which served as communities for training non-violent resisters.

The leadership skills, organizational abilities, and the core philosophy of Satyagraha that Gandhi developed and honed in South Africa were directly transferred and applied to the Indian independence movement upon his return to India in 1915. This is why his time in South Africa is considered so crucial to understanding the 'Mahatma'.