Kasturba Gandhi was most prominently known to be the wife of the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi. Besides that, she also earned recognition due to her involvement during the “Indian Independence Movement” as a political activist.
Born Name
Kasturbai Makhanji Kapadia
Nick Name
Ba
Kasturba Gandhi as seen in a picture taken in 1940 (Wikimedia / Public Domain)
Age
Kasturba was born on April 11, 1869.
Died
She died on February 22, 1944, at the age of 74 at the Aga Khan Palace, Poona, Bombay Presidency, British India.
Sun Sign
Aries
Born Place
Porbandar, Porbandar State, Kathiawar Agency, Bombay Presidency, British India
Nationality
Occupation
Political Activist
Family
Father – Gokuladas Kapadia
Mother – Vrajkunwerba Kapadia
Build
Slim
Height
5 ft 2 in or 157.5 cm
Weight
45 kg or 99 lbs
Boyfriend / Spouse
Kasturba’s name was linked with –
Mahatma Gandhi (1883-1944) – Kasturba married Mahatma Gandhi in May 1883. After the loss of their first child at infancy, they had 4 children named, Harilal Gandhi (b. August 23, 1888), Manilal Gandhi (b. October 28, 1892), Ramdas Mohandas Gandhi (b. January 2, 1897), and Devdas Mohandas Gandhi (b. May 22, 1900). They were both 7 years old when they reached an agreement for their engagement.
Mahatma Gandhi and Kasturba Gandhi as seen in a picture taken upon their return to India from South Africa in 1915 (The Indian Express / Archive / Public Domain)
Race / Ethnicity
Asian (Indian)
Hair Color
Dark Brown
Eye Color
Dark Brown
Sexual Orientation
Straight
Distinctive Features
Petite built
During her old age, she wore a pair of oval spectacles.
Kasturba Gandhi as seen in a picture taken during the 1940s (Wikimedia / Public Domain)
Religion
Hinduism
Kasturba Gandhi as seen in a picture taken in the past (Public.Resource.Org / Flickr / Public Domain)
Kasturba Gandhi Facts
She was raised in the coastal town of Porbandar.
Due to complications at birth, Kasturba was diagnosed with chronic bronchitis which was further complicated due to her suffering from pneumonia.
It was her husband who taught her how to read and write. However, due to her involvement in other matters, she was unable to pick up much. Besides that, she also showed very little interest in being educated.
Upon her husband’s departure for London, Kasturba remained in India to take care of her son Harilal.
She bravely fought as a political activist for the civil rights and the independence movement against the “British Raj”.
Kasturba moved to South Africa to live with Gandhi in 1896.
She got herself involved in politics when she, her husband, and various Indian immigrants established the “Phoenix Settlement” near Durban.
In 1908, she nearly died after falling seriously ill due to her fast while Gandhi was imprisoned.
On September 23, 1913, Kasturba was imprisoned and sentenced to hard labor as a punishment for protesting. However, a year later, in 1914, she and her husband returned to India.
She spent most of her time, supporting and helping at ashrams in Indian as well as taking charge of civil rights protests.
She was fondly known as “Ba.”
Kasturba had been a part of the 1922 Satyagraha movement.
Despite her prolonged suffering from chronic bronchitis, Kasturba continued to aid in the movements against the “British Raj”.
In 1939, Kasturba was kept in solitary confinement for a month after she acted as an advocate for the nonviolence protest.
After being arrested in 1942 for her involvement in the “Quit India Movement,” Kasturba became very ill and in January 1944, she suffered 2 heart attacks and became limited to her bed. She recovered with the help of an Ayurvedic doctor and was able to chat and move about in a wheelchair. However, on February 22, 1944, she suffered a relapse and died at 07:35 pm.
“The Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Trust Fund” was started by Mahatma Gandhi to honor her.
