Mahatma Gandhi’s wife, Kasturba Gandhi Biography: Husband, Age, Children, Wikipedia, Net Worth, Parents, Height, Siblings

Kasturbai Makhanji Kapadia, famously known as Kasturba Gandhi, was a prominent Indian political activist and the wife of Mahatma Gandhi.

She played a significant role in India’s struggle for independence from British rule, actively participating in civil disobedience movements and advocating for social reforms.

Profile

• Full Name: Kasturbai Makhanji Kapadia
• Stage Name: Kasturba Gandhi
• Born: April 11, 1869
• Date of death: February 22, 1944 (Aged: 74 years)
• Birthplace: Porbandar, India
• Nationality: Indian
• Occupation: Political activist
• Height: Unknown
• Parents: Gokuldas Kapadia ,Vrajkunwerba
• Siblings: 2
• Spouse: Mahatma Gandhi (m. 1883–1944)
• Children: Harilal Gandhi, Ramdas Gandhi, Devdas Gandhi, Manilal Gandhi
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: Unknown

Early Life And Education

Kasturbai Makhanji Kapadia was born on April 11, 1869, in Porbandar, India, to Gokuldas Kapadia, a prosperous merchant, and his wife Vrajkunwerba. She grew up in a traditional Gujarati household with two brothers—one older and one younger.

Kasturba did not receive formal education during childhood, but after her marriage to Mohandas Gandhi, he taught her to read and write.

Belonging to the Modh Bania caste, a Hindu trading community, Kasturba was raised with strong religious and cultural values.

Career

Kasturba Gandhi’s political journey began in South Africa, where she joined her husband, Mahatma Gandhi, in advocating for the rights of Indian immigrants facing systemic discrimination.

A pivotal figure in the early phase of Gandhi’s activism, she helped establish the Phoenix Settlement in 1904 near Durban, a community dedicated to self-reliance, equality, and shared ideals.

Her courage and leadership were evident during the 1913 protests against unjust laws targeting Indians, which led to her arrest and sentence of hard labor.

Despite the harsh conditions, Kasturba used her time in prison to uplift fellow inmates, promoting prayer, literacy, and solidarity among imprisoned women.

Upon returning to India in 1914, Kasturba threw herself into the heart of the Indian independence movement. She actively participated in civil disobedience campaigns, often taking leadership roles during her husband’s arrests.

Despite suffering from chronic health conditions, she remained undeterred, managing Gandhi’s ashrams and earning the affectionate title “Ba” (Mother) for her nurturing presence.

During key movements like the 1917 Champaran campaign in Bihar, she worked tirelessly to promote hygiene, discipline, and education among women and rural communities, embodying the spirit of grassroots activism.

Through the 1920s and 1930s, Kasturba Gandhi played a leading role in movements such as the Borsad and Bardoli Satyagrahas and was a prominent force in the Quit India movement of 1942.

Her steadfast opposition to British rule led to multiple arrests, yet she remained devoted to social reform, championing the eradication of caste discrimination and untouchability.

Encouraging women across India to participate in the freedom struggle, she emerged as a symbol of resilience and compassion.

Though often overshadowed by her husband’s legacy, Kasturba’s lifelong dedication and leadership impacted India’s path to independence.

Social Media

Kasturba Gandhi does not have a social media account.

Personal Life

Kasturba Gandhi married Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi in 1883 through an arranged marriage; she was 13 years old, and he was 14 at the time.

Their union endured for 62 years, lasting until she died in 1944. The couple had five children—although their first child passed away in infancy, their four sons, Harilal Gandhi, Ramdas Gandhi, Devdas Gandhi, and Manilal Gandhi, all lived to adulthood.

Net Worth

Kasturba Gandhi’s net worth is not documented, as her life was devoted to social service and the Indian independence movement.

As a political activist and the wife of Mahatma Gandhi, she chose a path of simplicity and selflessness, focusing on national causes rather than personal financial gain.