This book contains a frank and illuminating commentary on Gandhiji and his ideals by the eminent French philosopher, Romain Rolland. As a great European and contemporary of the Mahatma, his views have a special value. The appraisal and assessment of Gandhiji’s ideals of truth and non-violence and of the strategy of passive resistance against the mighty British Empire is of particular interest as it comes from a brilliant mind of the materialist-oriented West. Long before the world bestowed renown on Gandhiji for his political sagacity, Romain Rolland probed and made known to humanity the spiritual greatness of the man. The two understood each other fully and the great scholar from the West found and drew inspiration from the well-springs of that highly cultivated and dedicated soul. While expressing his admiration for Gandhiji’s ethical approach to religion and politics and his readiness to sacrifice everything for the sake of truth, Romain Rolland does not hesitate to quote literally from Tagore and Andrews, who criticised some of Gandhiji’s political decisions. He also brings out how British policy forced Gandhiji to switch over from an attitude of loyal co-operation with Great Britain to that of non-violent non- co-operation. Readers will find the book a sustained interest throughout.
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