Kasturba Mohandas Gandhi was born as Kasturba Kapadia on April 11 1869 to Gokuladas Kapadia and Vrajkunwerba Kapadia in Porbandar, Gujarat. She was married to Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi popurlarly known as Mahatma Gandhi in 1883. Families of both Mahatma Gandhi and Kasturba were friends. She gave birth to Harilal Gandhi in 1888. So after Harilal’s birth Mahatma Gandhi went to London to study law. The first child of Kasturba and Mahatma Gandhi was born in 1885, but the child died very soon. After Mahatma Gandhi went to London Kasturba looked after Harilal alone. Gandhi returned to India in 1891.She gave birth to three more children – Manilal in 1892, Ramdas in 1897 and Devdas in 1900. When Mahatma Gandhi went to South Africa to practice law in 1893, Kasturba remained in India. He returned India for his family in 1896 and the very next year the entire family moved to South Africa. Their last two children were born there.

She did not have any primary schooling before marriage, so Mahatma Gandhi took the responsibility of educating her. Kasturba Gandhi took active part in freedom struggle of India and was also a leader in the struggle for civil rights. Kasturba involved herself in politics first in South Africa only in 1904, where he helped Mahatma Gandhi to establish the Phoenix settlement near Durban. She also took part in the protest against the ill-treatment of Indian in South Africa. She was also arrested during the protest. In prison, Kasturba encouraged educated women to teach illiterate women. Gandhi family permanently left South Africa in 1914. She actively took part in civil actions and protests organised by Gandhi. She continued to take part in protests even when Gandhi was in prison.

She spent majority of time in helping others in ashrams. She was not happy the way Mahatma Gandhi treated their children. 1917 Kasturba Gandhi helped in improving the condition of women of Champaran where Gandhi was working for the welfare of indigo farmers. She also took part in Non- Corporation and civil disobedience movements Kasturba also participated in Satyagrah movement in Borsad, Gujarat.

Kasturba suffered from chronic Bronchitis due to the complications at birth. 1n 1944 Kasturba suffered two massive heart attacks. She remained bedridden for much of her time. She also suffered from breathing problem. on 22 February 1944, she died at the Aga Khan Palace in Pune, aged 74. The Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Trust Fund was set up in her memory. Gandhi requested that this fund would be used to help women and children in villages in India.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 11, 2018 12:06 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).