Gandhi's Fragrance: Did He Wear A Scent?

Mahatma Gandhi's dressing style evolved over time, reflecting his values and alignment with the Indian freedom struggle. In his youth, Gandhi wore western suits during his time in London and as a lawyer in South Africa. However, upon returning to India, he embraced simplicity and advocated for self-sufficiency and defiance against British colonialism through his clothing choices. He adopted the use of khadi, a hand-spun and woven natural fibre cloth, and wore a dhoti, a loincloth, instead of western suits. This choice symbolised his identification with the poor and his commitment to freedom and self-sufficiency for India. While Gandhi's focus was on the statement his clothing made, it is unknown if he wore fragrance.

Gandhi's rejection of Western clothing

Mahatma Gandhi's adoption of the dhoti, a loincloth, in 1921 was a powerful statement against Western clothing and culture. As a London-educated lawyer, Gandhi was accustomed to wearing British-style suits. However, his decision to switch to the dhoti became a symbolic rejection of Western influence and a return to ancient, pre-colonial Indian culture.

Gandhi initially planned to wear the dhoti for just five weeks to draw attention to the British Raj's failure to meet the deadline for returning home rule to India. However, as the deadline passed without any action from the British, Gandhi continued to wear the loincloth for the rest of his life, believing that his mission was not yet accomplished. The dhoti became a visual symbol of his commitment to Indian independence and self-rule.

The coarse, white khadi cloth that Gandhi wore held significant meaning for him. He associated it with purity, simplicity, and poverty, and it became a symbol of nationalism and a rejection of Western mill-made cloth. By urging Indians to wear khadi and burn their European-style clothing, Gandhi promoted self-sufficiency, economic independence, and a stronger sense of Indian identity. He encouraged Indians to spin their own cotton and weave their own cloth, freeing themselves from dependence on British-made goods.

Gandhi's choice of clothing was more than just a fashion statement; it was a political act. He understood the power of visual communication and, with input from his inner circle, deliberately chose the dhoti to convey a message of nationalism and anti-colonialism to an international audience. This act of defiance against Western clothing had a profound impact on India, inspiring thousands of Indians to rise up against colonialism by burning their Manchester textiles.

Gandhi's promotion of khadi

Mahatma Gandhi's relationship with Khadi was crucial to his life and occupies a significant position in the movement for Indian independence. Gandhi viewed Khadi as a representation of independence, economic empowerment, and political dissent. Khadi, a handspun and handwoven fabric made from natural fibres, holds deep historical and cultural significance in India.

Gandhi's plan was not just to eschew Western wear himself but to propose a complete re-clothing of the nation. He urged Indians to throw out their British colonial rulers with two weapons: non-violence and handspun cloth. He designed a Charkha that would allow every person to spin cotton, and he asked every person to spin for at least one hour per day as a sacrifice to their country and a duty towards the poor. This call for unity between classes and masses was an important aspect of Gandhi's ideology.

Gandhi also believed that Khadi would address the economic and social inequalities that afflicted India under British rule. He emphasised the importance of uplifting rural communities, and Khadi production provided employment and economic stability to these areas. Additionally, in a country where manual labour was looked down upon, Gandhi saw Khadi as a way to bring people of all classes and wealth together and show the dignity of hand labour.

Gandhi's iconic image, spinning the Charkha while clad in Khadi, became an enduring symbol of his principles and called for a united, self-reliant India. His promotion of Khadi inspired countless individuals to participate in the Khadi movement and the broader struggle for Indian independence.

Gandhi's clothing in South Africa

In 1909, Gandhi was photographed in Western attire during his time in South Africa. However, in 1921, Gandhi made a statement by choosing to wear a dhoti, a loincloth, instead of the British-style suits he had worn as a London-educated lawyer. He was aware that his clothing choice would communicate visually to an international audience, and he made this choice with input from his inner circle.

Gandhi initially planned to wear the dhoti for just five weeks to draw attention to the impending deadline for the British to return home rule to India. However, after the deadline passed, he continued to wear the wrapped cloth garment until the end of his life, feeling that his mission was never finished. The symbolism of the dhoti, or khadi, a homespun woven cloth, was a rejection of the Western clothes imported to India by British manufacturers. By refusing dependence on foreign products, Gandhi believed that India could work towards self-sufficiency and a clearer sense of identity.

Gandhi's clothing choices extended beyond his adoption of the dhoti. He also designed a charkha, a spinning wheel that allowed every person to spin cotton, as part of his promotion of locally made clothing. This movement towards locally made and worn clothing was a form of resistance against British colonialism and a statement of national pride and independence.

Gandhi's London attire

Gandhi's attire during his visit to London in the summer of 1931 to attend the second Round Table Conference and meet the British Emperor, George V, was a significant statement. Before this trip, Gandhi had already adopted traditional Indian clothing, wearing a simple dress similar to that of an Indian peasant. This was a marked change from his previous attire as a London-educated lawyer, when he wore British-style suits.

Gandhi's decision to wear traditional clothing was intentional and symbolic. He understood the power of symbols in politics, and his attire communicated a powerful message to an international audience. By wearing a dhoti and shawl, he identified himself with the poor and starving farmers of India, sending a message that he understood their struggles. This was a stark contrast to the upper-class, educated lawyers and traders who had previously led the Indian independence movement, creating a connection with the true citizens of India.

Gandhi's clothing also served as a symbol of India's exploitation by British colonial rule. His appearance, often described as 'half-naked', spoke to the European conscience and illustrated the stark differences between the exploited Indian people and their colonial rulers.

Gandhi's attire during his visit to London caused a stir, with some Londoners tittering at the sight of his loincloth and shawl in the English climate. However, he refused to change his dress, even when meeting the British Emperor and royalty. When asked if he felt ashamed to stand before the Emperor in his simple dress, Gandhi replied, "Why should I feel ashamed? The Emperor was wearing enough clothes for the both of us."

Gandhi's clothing choices were a form of defiance against colonial rule and a statement of his belief in India's self-sufficiency and identity. He continued to wear traditional Indian clothing for the rest of his life, never feeling that his mission was finished.

Gandhi's attire as a lawyer

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was a London-educated lawyer who trained in the law at the Inner Temple in London and was called to the bar at the age of 22. As a lawyer, Gandhi would have been expected to wear formal business attire when appearing in court, including a dark suit, a conservative dress shirt, a tie, and dress shoes.

However, Gandhi is also known for his decision to wear a dhoti, a loincloth, instead of British-style suits. He made this choice to communicate visually to an international audience and to reject Western clothing imported to India by British manufacturers. This choice of attire became a symbol of his identification with India's rural poor and his support for Indian independence and self-sufficiency.

Overall, Gandhi's choice of attire as a lawyer varied depending on the context, reflecting his commitment to both his profession and his political beliefs.

Frequently asked questions