1869: Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born in Porbandar. India was the most splendid jewel in the crown of the British Empire. From that date on, the story of British colonial rule and that of Gandhi would be interwoven for more than half a century. First in South Africa, where the young, London-educated lawyer rediscovered his roots in fighting for the dignity of Indian immigrants. Then in India, where Gandhi's struggle against British dominion helped him to define his choices: non-violence as an alternative to the temptations of terrorism; refusal of all intolerance and any division based on race or religion; the dream of a free and united country where Hindus and Muslims could live together in peace.

It was thanks to Gandhi that India's road to independence, unlike many roads to "decolonization," could be followed in a relatively peaceful way-even though the Mahatma would eventually become a helpless witness to the division of the nation, to the Hindu-Muslim conflict, and to the return of the intolerance that he opposed throughout his life.

Gandhi's life story in Gandhi and India takes shape within the context of the culture and history of India, whose development is followed up to the present day. (Amazon.com)