Gandhi and the ‘Race’ question

Abstract

The objective of this study is to analyze Gandhi’s views on race, especially in relation to native Africans, while he was in South Africa between 1893 and 1914. This study is relevant because it hopes to provide evidence hitherto ignored or not considered in recent debates by Gandhi’s critics as well as those favourably disposed towards the Mahatma. This present study will respond specifically to Roy’s question as well as other related questions emerging out of this debate. This study suggests on the basis of evidence that Gandhi’s views on race were evolving as were those of contemporary scholars, across Europe and America, since the high noon of pseudo-scientific racism began declining in the early years of the 20th century. New evidence suggests that Gandhi was not merely a child of his context or a man of his times, but perhaps he was ahead of his times - in so far as his quest for understanding the relation between race, culture and civilization. This study will place the new evidence for the consideration of the participants of the conference, and thus, contribute to the debate on Gandhi’s views on race, culture and civilization.