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Jawaharlal Nehru as a ‘Hindu to the depths of his innermost being Gandhi’s ideas on religion were an enigma to many Hindus in his lifetime. Allowing ’Gandhi to speak for himself’, this book sensitively resurrects the religious life of the Mahatma. It reveals how intrinsic his faith was to the man, his politics, and his idea of service. It shows how Gandhi formulated his own religious ethic, weaving his experiences with the teachings of the Gita and other texts. At times of anarchy and communal strife it was Gandhi’s belief in his convictions that restored peace and amity.

J.T.F. Jordens delineates the many strands that went into the framework of Gandhi’s religious thought. He chronologically traces the development of Gandhi’s ideas, from a young, confused youth to the Mahatma who upheld the moral superiority and social efficacy of service, renunciation, and ahimsa.

This biography, with an introduction by Ramachandra Guha, is a remarkable portrait of a man who lived his words, Based on extensive research, and written in elegant, understated, prose, this book is essential reading for scholars and students of modern India history, religious studies, and Gandhian studies. It will also interest the general reader seeking a deeper understanding of the greatest Indian of modern times.