EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

Books Read by Gandhi

Arranged Alphabetically
  • Abott, Lyman.    What Christianity Means To Me: A Spiritual Autobiography [Jail diary entry dated December 16, 1922. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:153.]
  • Addison, Joseph.    Essays Selected by Joseph Addison.[Read during his stay in South Africa. His letter of December 14, 1913, to Miss West. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 12:271]
  • Advice To A Mother
    [Gandhi read this book on obstetrics and infant care in preparation for helping his wife in her delivery of their fourth son, Devdas, on May 22,1900.]
  • Aesop.    Aesop's Fables By Rev. T. James.[Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 12:200; 31:159; 58:165.]
  • AIi, Amir.    History of The Saracens
    [Read in Yeravda prison in 1932. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:185-186.]
  • Ali, Amir Syed.    Spirit of Islam : A History of The Evolution and Ideals of Islam
    [Read during his imprisonment in Yeravda. Vide Gandhi The Writer' The Image As It Grew. By Bhabani Bhattacharya.]
  • Allison, Dr, T. R.     Hygienic Medicine (1886)
    [The author prescribed vegetarian diet for his patients. Allison's writings made a lasting impression on Gandhi. Read this book during his student days in London. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 1:40, 120.]
  • Allison, Dr. T. R.     Writings on Health and Hygiene
    [Read this book during his student days in London.]
  • Andrew, Charles Freer.    What I Owe To Christ [Read in Yeravda prison. Diary entry of December 31, 1932. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 52:245, 327.]
  • Andrews, Charles Freer.    Zaka Ullah of Delhi
    [Read in Yeravda prison. Mentions in his letter of February 8,1932, to Narandas Gandhi.
    Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 49:77, 510.]
  • Annual Report of The Inspector of Education in Basutoland, 1909-1910
    [Gandhi refers to the contents of this report in Indian Opinion, May 28,1910. The report advocates that the medium of instruction for Indian children should be in their mother tongue. Later in life he supported instruction in regional languages throughout India. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 10:260-261.]
  • Arab Wisdom Wisdom of the East series.
    [Gandhi read this book in December, 1907. Reviewing this book in Indian Opinion [December 27, 1907]-1n the Gujarati section, he states that it contains extracts from the Koran, and many sayings of the wise which are rich in thought and content. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 7:458; 8:162.]
  • Arm of God
    [Read in Yeravda jail, 1922. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:144; 25:83; 31:176.]
  • Arnold, Edwin.    Indian Idylls
    [Read in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1911. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 11:133, 139. He notes that he liked it so much that he wished to read it again.]
  • Arnold, Edwin.    Japan Via Land and Sea
  • Arnold, Edwin.    Life Beyond Death
  • Arnold, Edwin.     Light of Asia; Or The Great Renunciation (Mahabhinishkarmana)
    [Being the life and teachings of Gautama, Prince of India and founder of Buddhism (as told in verse, by an Indian Buddhist).
    In his Story of My Experiments With Truth , Gandhi remarks that this book impressed him deeply. He read this book for the first time during his second year of stay in London and many times again later in life. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 4:296; 25:85; 51:299.]
  • Arnold, Edwin.    Seas and Lands (1891)
    [In his interviews with Yone Noguchi, a Japanese sadhu who stayed with Gandhi at his Ashram [January 1936], Gandhi mentions having read this book 45 years ago, as it appeared in an English journal. The book provides a description of life in Japan. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 62:178]
  • Arnold, Edwin.    The Song Celestial Or Bhagavadgita (From the Mahabharata),
    [Being a discourse between Arjuna, Prince of India, and the Supreme Being under the form of Krishna.
    Gandhi read this book around 1889, while studying in London. Writes in his autobiography, that this book made a lasting impression on him and he regarded it as a great source for the knowledge of truth. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 1:171; 22:437; 29:370.]
  • Bacon, Francis.    Bacon's Essays With Annotations
    [Read in 1908 during his first incarceration in South Africa for two months (January 10-March 10, 1908).]
  • Bacon, Francis.    Wisdom of The Ancients
    [Read in Yeravda prison, May 1922. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:146, 187; 25:83.]
  • Bell.    Standard Elocutionist
    [A textbook that he bought for his studies while in London between 1888 and 1891.
    Vide Bhabani Bhattacharya. Gandhi The Writer The Image As It Grew.
    Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 39:47.]
  • Bellamy, Edward.    Equality
    [Read in Yeravda jail in 1922. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:147, 188; 25:83.]
  • Bentham, Jeremy.    Theory of Utility
    [Read in London during his student days. A friend introduced him to works by Bentham and tried to convince Gandhi to renounce vegetarianism.]
  • Besant, Annie Wood.     How I Became A Theosophist?
    [Read during his student days in London. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 39:62.]
  • Besant, Annie Wood.    Why I Became A Theosophist
  • Bhgavad Gita
    [Read in London around 1888. Read again in Yeravda prison in 1932 -translations by Aurobindo, Tilak, Shankara and Jnaneshwar. Gandhi relied on the Gita for spiritual guidance and attempted to live by its teachings throughout his adult life.]
  • Bhagavan Das.    Science of Peace
    [Mentions in his jail diary, 1923, that he glanced through this book. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:179.]
  • Bhatt, Nrisinhprasad Kalidas.     Biography of The Prophet
    [Read in Yeravda prison. His diary entry dated December 31, 1932. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 52:327.]
  • Bhattacharya.    Indian Castes
    -
  • Bible. English Authorized.    The Holy Bible containing the Old and New Testaments: Translated out of the original Tongues: and with the former translations diligently compared and revised by His Majesty's Special Command.
    [Gandhi referred to the Bible many times throughout his life. He particularly liked the New Testament and was moved by the Sermon On The Mount. He frond much common ground between the teachings of the Gita and the Sermon On The Mount. Mentions at length in his Autobiography the deep influence of the Bible on his life.]
  • Bible Story
    -
  • Bible Yew of The World Martyrs
    Mentions in his jail diary, April 26, 1922, that this book was sent to him by a Rev. Lawrence. He completed reading it on April 29. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:145.
  • Birla.    Birla's Book on Currency
  • Blavatsky,    Helene Petrovna (Hahn-Hahn). The Key To Theosophy
    [Being a clear exposition in the form of question and answer of the Ethics, Science, and philosophy for the study of which the Theosophical Society has been founded.
    Read during his student days in London. Vide Geoffrey Ashe: Gandhi, p.41. It his autobiography, Gandhi notes that this book stimulated in him a desire to read more books on Hinduism.]
  • Blount.    New Crusade
    [lists this title along with some others as an appendix to his Hind Swaraj.
    Recommends reading them along with his work.]
  • Boehmen, Jacob.    Super Sensual Life
    [Read this in 1924 during his incarceration in Yeravda jail. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 25:84,153.]
  • Brailsford, Henry Noel.    Rebel India
    [I'm his letter dated February 8, 1932, to Narandas Gandhi. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 49:76, 506; 52:326.]
  • Brierly, J.    Ourselves and The Universe
    [Read this book on December 6, 1922, in Yeravda prison. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:153; 25:84,155.]
  • Broom.    Common Law
    [Mentions in his Autobiography of having read this book as a law student in England. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 1:105, Ill; 39:70.]
  • Browning.    Christmas Eve
    -
  • Buck, Pearl Sydenstricker.    The Chinese Children Next Door
    [This book was read to him in 1944, while he was convalescing at Juhu in the home of Shantikumar Morarji, after his release from jail on May Ii. At that time he saw the first movies: "Mission To Moscow," and "Ram Rajya." Vide Louis Fisher's The Life of Mahatma Gandhi, p.395.]
  • Buck, Pearl Sydenstricker.    Good Earth
  • Buckle, Henry Thomas.     History of Civilization in Europe
    [Read-in Yeravda prison, November, 1923. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:186.]
  • Buhler, George.    The Laws of Manu
    [Read during his incarceration in Yeravda jail, 1923. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 25:84.] Vol. 23: 147, 188; 25:83.]
  • Bureau, Paul.    Towards Moral Bankruptcy
    [Book on the question of birth-control by the use of contraceptives, which he read in 1926. Was so fascinated with the topic that he wrote a series of articles on the subject in Young India. Interesting details of his reading habits can be found in these articles, especially the first one published July., 1926, in Young India.Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 31:77,103,135; 51:299.]
  • Burnes, Delisle Berne.    Democracy
    [Read in Yeravda prison. His diary entry dated December 31; 1932.Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 49:514, 515; 52:327.]
  • Butler, Joseph. Bishop of Durham.    Analogy of Religion Natural and Revealed To The Constitution and Course of Nature
    [During the early years of his stay in South Africa, Gandhi read about eighty books on Christianity. Among them was this book by Butler. Many missionary friends in South Africa tried to convert him to Christianity, but he stood firm in the beliefs of his own religion. Vide
    Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 39:102; 88:26.]
  • Calthrop, M. M. C.    Crusade
    [Read in Yeravda prison, June 1922. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:148; 25:84.]
  • Cambridge History of Scotland
    [Read in Yeravda prison, 1922-1924. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 25:83.]
  • Candle of Vision
    [Read during his imprisonment in Yeravda. Mentions in his letter of February 8,1932, to Narandas Gandhi. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 49:77, 510; 52:327]
  • Carlyle, Thomas.    French Revolution: A History
    [Gandhi read this book in 1909 in Pretoria jail during his third incarceration in South Africa.
    Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 9:241.]
  • Carlyle, Thomas.    "Life Of Burns," [In] Critical and Miscellaneous Essays' Collected and Republished

    [Gandhi read this book in 1908, during his first incarceration in South Africa.]
  • Carlyle, Thomas.    Life of Johnson
  • Carlyle, Thomas.    Life of Scott
  • Carlyle, Thomas.    Lives
    [Read in 1908 during his incarceration in South Africa.]
  • Carlyle, Thomas.     On Heroes Hero Worship and The Heroic in History
    [The chapter "Hero As A Prophet," taught Gandhi of the greatness, bravery and austere life of prophets. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 39:61.]
  • Carlyle, Thomas.     Past and Present
    -
  • Carnegie, Andrew.     Round The World
    [Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 1:180.]
  • Carpenter, Edward.     Civilization: Its Cause and Cure
    [Mentions having read this book in a letter to Henry Polak, dated September 8, 1909, and makes interesting comments on the book. He finds Carpenter's analysis of civilization good and his condemnation, though severe, justified. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 9:396; 10:19,63; 11:77]
  • Carpenter, Edward.     From Adams Peak To Elephanta
    [Read in Yeravda prison, March 1932. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 49:516, 517; 52:327]
  • Carus, Paul.     Gospel of Buddha
    [Read in Yeravda prison, 1923. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:185; 25:84.]
  • Chakravarti, Atulananda.     Hindus and Muslims of India
  • Chatterjee, Ramananda, Ed.     The Golden Book of Tagore
    [Read in Yeravda jail, February 16, 1932. Writing to the editor Ramananda Chatterjee, Gandhi calls the work a treasure of love. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 45:91; 49:68,99,512; 52:327]
  • Childbirth and Obstetrics
    [A popular work Gandhi studied in 1900 in South Africa. He then helped his wife in the delivery of their fourth son, Devdas.]
  • Christianity in Practice
    [Read in Yeravda prison in 1922. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:144; 25:83.]
  • The Coming Struggle For Power
  • Constipation and Our Civilization
    -
  • Coomaraswamy, Ananda Kentish.     Essays in National Education
    -
  • Cox, George W.     Crusades
    [Read in Yeravda jail in 1922. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 25:84.]
  • Crozier, Frank Percy.     A Word To Gandhi: The Lesson of Ireland
    [Gandhi mentions having read this book, a strong criticism of him and his philosophy of non-violence, in his letter of February 8,1932 to Narandas Gandhi. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 49:76; 52:326]
  • Cunningham, J. D.     History of The Sikhs' From The Origin of The Nation To The Battles of The Sutlej
    [Read in Yeravda prison. States that this book is important reading that helps one understand the present struggle of the Sikhs, and that Cunningham has given a sympathetic account. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 25:84,155]
  • Dadachanji.     Zend-Avesta
    [Read during his 1922 incarceration in Yeravda jail. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 25:84, 163, 178]
  • DeFoe, Daniel.     Robinson Crusoe
    -
  • Dickens, Charles.     A Tale of Two Cities
    [Speaking at Gujarati Sahitya Parishad on October 31, 1936, Gandhi mentions that Dickens had a simple and fascinating style of writing. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 63:415]
  • Dickinson, Goldsworthy Lowes.     Letters From John Chinaman
    [In his letter of August I, 1911, to Chhaganlal, Gandhi requests him to translate this book, which he had read recently. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 11:134. An essay on the civilizations of India, China and Japan along with the contributions of ancient Greece to modern life.]
  • Digby, William.     Prosperous British India: A Revelation From Official Records
    A book criticizing the draining and stunting of the economic growth of India by the British.
  • Doke, Joseph John.     The Secret City
    Writing in Indian Opinion (August 23,1913), on the late Mr. Doke, that book "is a wonderful piece of imaginative work" - a romance of the Karoo, which was translated into Dutch. Also mentions in his letter to Doke's daughter that he has nearly finished reading the book. (letter dated September 24, 1913). Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 12:68,209]
  • Dr Carton's Thesis on Consumption
    [Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 12:271.]
  • Drummond, Henry.     The Greatest Thing in The World
    [In his letter to Esther Faering (June 1, 1917), Gandhi writes that he plans to follow the author's prescription of reading daily for three months the verses on Love. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 13:442,466; 30:242-243]
  • Drummond, Henry.     Natural Law in The Spiritual World
    [In his speech at the Rotary Club in Calcutta, on August 18, 1925, Gandhi gives an interesting analysis of the book and its author. Again in his discourse on the Gita on January 7, 1928, Gandhi states that he read this book some thirty years ago. Gandhi disagrees with many of the author's arguments. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 28:83; 35:445]
  • Durant, Will.     Case For India
    [In a letter from Yeravda prison to Narandas Gandhi, dated February 3/8, 1932, Gandhi mentions that he read this book, a scathing indictment of British rule in India. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 49:76]
  • Dutt, Romesh Chunder.     Economic History of India Under Early British Rule[Gandhi recommends that this book be read along with his Hind Swaraj. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 10:65]
  • Dwivedi, M. N.     Rajyoga
    [Gandhi mentions in his Autobiography that he read this book in South Africa around 1903. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 39:211]
  • Eddy, Mrs.     Mrs. Eddy's Works (Of Christian Science)
  • Edward.     Real Property
    [Gandhi states in his Autobiography that this book "read like a novel" He read it in England during law school. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 39:71.]
  • Essence of The Koran
    [Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 7:44]
  • Farrar, Rev. Fredric William.     Seekers After God[Read in Yeravda prison, as mentioned in diary entry dated May 5, 1922. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma GandhiVol. 23:145. In a speech on October 31, 1936, (more than a decade after having read the book) in Ahmedabad, Gandhi states that "Farrar's book is one of the treasures of the English language." Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 63:415.]
  • Finot.     Race Prejudice
    [Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 11:22.]
  • Food Remedies
    [In a letter dated December 14, 1913, to Miss Devi West, schoolmistress of the Phoenix Farm, Gandhi requests her to send this book to him. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 12:271]
  • Galileo
  • Geddes, Sir Patrick.     Cities in Evolution: An Introduction To The Town Planning Movement and To The Study of Civics.
    [Read in Yeravda jail, March 19,1923. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:179]
  • Ghose, Aurobindo.     Eight Upanishads
  • Ghose, Aurobindo.     Gita: With Text, Translation and Notes
    -
  • Gibbon, Edward.     Decline and Fall of The Roman Empire
    [Read in Yeravda jail, 1924 and wrote review of it in My Jail Experiences. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 25:128. In his review Gandhi notes that Gibbon 'portrays a mass of facts in his own imitable style without delving into trivia. Compares Gibbon's work to Motley's Rise of The Dutch Republic and finds the former more interesting.]
  • Goethe, Johann Wolfgang Von.     Faust
    [Read in Yeravda prison June 1922. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:148,188; 25:83,177; 28:54; 71:182]
  • Gokhale, Gopal Krishna.     Speeches of Gopal Krishna Gokhale
    [Writes in Indian Opinion, August 24,1912, in anticipation of Gokhale's visit to South Africa, a short sketch of Gokhale's life and quotes from the Speeches of Gokhale. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 11:309]
  • Gospel and The Plaugh
    [Read in Yeravda prison, 1922. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:152; 25:84]
  • Govindacharya, Alkondaville.     Life of Ramanuja
    [Read in Yeravda prison, 1924. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 25:84.]
  • Guizot.     European Civilization
    [Read in Yeravda jail, 1924. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 25:84]
  • Gupta, Maithilisharam.     Panchvati
    [Poetry on Rama's sojourn at Panchavati. Gandhi writes from Yeravda prison to author in a letter dated February 20/21 , 1932, of having liked the work. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 52:327]
  • Gupta, Maithilisharam.     Saket
    [Poetical work on Ayodhya, during Rama's exile. Author sent book to Gandhi in Yeravda prison.
    Gandhi notes having read this book in his diary entry dated December 31,1932. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 52:327]
  • Haeckel, Ernst.     Evolution of Man' A Popular Scientific Study
    [Read in Yeravda prison, 1923. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma GandhiVol. 23:184]
  • Haribhadra, Suri.     Shaddharshana Samuchchaya Granth
    [Read in South Africa and again in Yeravda jail. In a letter dated October 21, 1926, Gandhi writes that this book on Buddhism and Vedanta is a difficult work and a great intellectual exercise. The original is in Sanskrit. He also mentions in his Autobiography of having received this work from his friend Raychandbhai, who sent the book to Gandhi in South Africa. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:152; 31:519; 39:114]
  • Hariprasad, Vaidik Muni.     Swadhyaya Samhita
    [Gandhi read this book containing selections from the Vedas and other religious texts in Sanskrit, with a translation in Hindi. Notes that he finds great difficulty in reading Vedic hymns. Gandhi read this book in Yeravda prison in July, 1932. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 50:251,263,277,458; 52:327]
  • Hassan.     Saints of lslam
    [Read in Yeravda jail, 1923. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:181]
  • Hayes.     Book of The Cow
    [Gandhi mentions in his "letter of February 8,1932, to Narandas Gandhi, of having read this book in Yeravda prison. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 49:77, 509]
  • Hayes, Will.     Essence of Hinduism
    [Mentions in his letter of February 8, 1932, to Narandas Gandhi, that he read this book. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 49:77]
  • Hayes, Will.     Indian Bibles
    [Read in Yeravda prison, 1932. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 49:508; 52:327]
  • Heath.     Astronomy
    [Read in Yeravda prison as mentioned in his diary entry dated April 24, 1932. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 49:522]
  • Henry [A Police Officer].     Finger Impressions
    [Read in 1906 in South Africa, at the time when the Asiatic Law Amendment Ordinance was published in Transvaal requiring all Indian nationals to be finger printed and carrying passes at all times.]
  • Henry, Sir.     Sir Henry's Book on Castes
    -
  • Hoare, Samuel.     The Fourth Seal
    [Read this in Yeravda prison, January 14, 1932. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 49:507]
  • Holmes.     Freedom and Growth
    [Read in Yeravda prison as mentioned in diary entry dated August 28, 1932. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:184]
  • Homer.     Iliad of Homer
    -
  • Hopkins, E. Washburn.     Origin and Evolution of Religion
    [Read in Yeravda prison, August, 1923. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:183.]
  • How To Launder
    [Impressed with the concept of dignity of labor, Gandhi became interested in conducting his own chores and activities. Gandhi read this book in 1897 in South Africa, in an effort to practice washing and ironing his own clothes.]
  • Hughes, Thomas.     Tom Brown's School Days; By An Old Boy
    [Mentions in his Jail Diary (May 13, 1922), that some portions of this book are wonderful. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:146]
  • Hugo, Victor.     Les Miserables
    [Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 86:248]
  • Hugo, Victor.     Ninety Three
    [Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 86:248]
  • Hunter, William Wilson.     History of British India
    [Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 4:469]
  • Hunter, William Wilson.     Indian Empire: Its People History and Products
    [Gandhi read this book some time in (or before) 1894 He cites passages from this book in his "Open Letter" to the members of the Legislative Council and Assembly, in support of his argument that both the English and Indians originated from a common stock called Indo-Aryan. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 1:176-177, 181; 4:454]
  • Huxley, T. H.     On Education
    [Gandhi read this book in Johannesburg prison in South Africa in January, 1908. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 8:159]
  • Imam, Saheb.     Biography of The Prophet [Mohomed]
    [Read in Yeravda prison as noted in his diary entry dated December 31,1932.]
  • Irving, Washington.     Life and Voyages of Christopher Colombus
    [Read in Yeravda jail as noted in diary entry of 1923. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:188]
  • Irving, Washington.     ife of Mahomet and His Successors [Gandhi notes in his Autobiography that his study of comparative religion and the life of Mohammed raised his understanding and respect for Mohammed. He provides a summary of the life of Mohammed in Indian Opinion, August 31,1907. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 7:202; 23:185]
  • Ushopanishad Arvind's Commentary
    -
  • Iyer.     Foreign Exchange
    [Read in Yeravda prison (diary entry December 31, 1932). Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi. Vol. 52:327]
  • Iyer, Rajan.     Vedanta
    [In his "Jail Experiences," Gandhi mentions of having read this book on September 4,1924. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 25:85]
  • Jacolliot, M. Louis.     Bible in India
  • Jaikrishna, Vyas.     Panchikaran[During his stay in South Africa, Gandhi read this Gujarati language book on Hinduism. Book was sent to him by his friend Raychandbhai from India. Gandhi's beliefs that all religions encompass perfection as well as imperfections was strengthened by reading such books as this. Recommends this book to his sons Harilal and Manilal. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 11:94, 156; 39:14]
  • Jain, Champakrai.     Confluence of Religions
    [Read in Yeravda jail, 1924. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 25:84]
  • James.     Our Hellenic Heritage[Read in Yeravda prison, April, 1923. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:179-180; 25:84]
  • James, William.     Varieties of Religious Experiences
    [Read in Yeravda jail, August 26,1923. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma GandhiVol. 23:183-184; 25:84]
  • Jamia.     Kimiyagar
    [Read in Yeravda prison, diary entry December 31, 1932. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 52:327]
  • Jamia.     Urdu PIays: Shareef Ladka and Kheti
    [Read in Yeravda prison (diary entry December 131,1932). Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 52:327]
  • Jeans, James Hopwood.     Mysterious Universe
    [Read in Yeravda prison (diary entry December 31, 1932). Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 52:327]
  • Just, Adolf.     Return To Nature
    [The True Natural Method of Healing and Living and the True Salvation of the Soul.
    A treatise on nature cure, which Gandhi read around 1907 in South Africa while living on the Phoenix Farm. Obtained this book from Henry S. L. Polak, an associate of his in South Africa. This book advocated diet consisting exclusively of fruits and nuts, and regulation of the bowels by earth treatment - wrapping earth poultices around ones abdomen. Gandhi was so influenced by this book that he treated himself with nature cure when he once got sick in South Africa. He provides a graphic account of the influence of this book on his life in The Story of My Experiments With truth, translated from the original in Gujarati by Mahadev Desai, Navajivan Publishing House, Ahmedabad, 1940, 2d ed. c.I927: Chapter VII "Experiments In Earth and Water Treatment," pp.201-202.]
  • Kabir.     Kabir's Songs
    [Read in Yeravda prison diary entry dated April 9, 1923. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:179]
  • Kaye, John William and George Bruce Malleson.     Kaye's and Malleson's History of The Indian Mutiny. 1857-1858
    -
  • BKeay.     Hindu Astronomy
    [Read in Yeravda prison (diary entry dated December 31, 1932). Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 50:427, 453; 52:327]
  • Kharas.     Astronomy
    [Read in Yeravda prison diary entry dated December 31, 1932. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 52:327]
  • Kharas.     Swadhynya Samhita
    [Read in Yeravda prison diary entry December 31, 1932. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 52:327]
  • Khayyam, Omar.     Rubajyat of Omar Khayyam
    [Gandhi read this book while in South Africa, and later in India. In a letter to Henry S. L. Polak in August 1909, Gandhi provides a wonderful description of this work. VideCollected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 4:57; 9:363; 14:208]
  • Kidd, Benjamin.     Social Evolution
    [Read in Yeravda prison, March 31,1923. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:179]
  • Kingsford, Anna and Edward Maitland.     The Bible's Own Account of Itself
    [Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 1:168, 192]
  • Kingsford, Anna and Edward Maitland.     Clothed With The Sun[Read during the early days of his stay in South Africa. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 1:168, 192.]
  • Kingsford, Anna and Edward Maitland.     Perfect Way in Diet. The Finding of Christ
    [Read during his student days in England. This book had a lasting influence on his religious views and strengthened his beliefs in vegetarianism. He agreed with the argument in the book, that one should accept self-denial for spiritual purposes and that vegetarianism was one aspect of such self-denial. From this book, he came to know about a colony of Trappists in South Africa who were vegetarians. He later met the Trappists in South Africa. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma GandhiVol. 1:91,99,160,168,170,222; 39:45, 114]
  • Kingsford, Anna and Edward Maitland.     Story of The New Gospel of Interpretation
    [Read during his early days in South Africa. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 1:168, 192. He also read this book earlier in London as a law student. See James D. Hunts, Gandhi in London, p. 35]
  • Kingsley.     Eastward Ho
    -
  • Kingsley.     Westward Ho
    [Read in 1923 in Yeravda prison. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:188]
  • Kingsley.     Money
    [Mentions having read this book in Yeravda prison in a letter dated February 8,1932, to Narandas Gandhi. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 49:77, 510-511, 517]
  • Kipling, Rudyard. "Barrack-Room Ballads," [In] The Writings in Prose and Verse of Rudyard Kipling
    [Read in Yeravda prison March, 1923. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi. Vol. 23:179]
  • Kipling, Rudyard. "Five Nations," [In] The Writings in Prose and Verse of Rudyard Kipling
    [Read in Yeravda jail, May 1922. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:147, 188.]
  • Kipling, Rudyard.     Jungle Book
    [Read in Yeravda prison, 1924. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 25:83.]
  • Kiritkar, Vasudev.     Studies in Vedanta
    [Read in Yeravda prison, June, 1932. Vide
    Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi. Vol. 50:453-454.]
  • Koran
    [Read Mahomed Ali's translation while he was in Yeravda prison. Also read Henry Sale's translation. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:185; 25:83. He read many translations of the Koran which was a source of inspiration for him.]
  • Kuhne, Dr. of Leipzig.     Hydrotherapy
    [Impressed by this book, Gandhi started to practice hydrotherapy to cure ailments. He also read many of Dr. Kuhne's water cure pamphlets. Mentions his experiments in hydrotherapy in his Autobiography. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 38:64, 241; 39:200,245-246.]
  • Kumarappa, Joseph Cornelius.     Survey of Matar Taluka
    [In his letter of February 8, 1932, to Narandas Gandhi. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 49:77, 507]
  • Lady Ramanathan.     Ramayana[Read this book in Yeravda prison (diary. entry dated December 31,1932). Vide Collected Works of Mahatma GandhiVol. 49:514.]
  • Lane, Edward William.     Arabian Nights
    -
  • Lansbury's Life
  • Lavator.     Physiognomy
    [Read during his student days in London. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 39:72-73. Adds that a reading of this book did not add to his knowledge of human nature.]
  • Leadbeater, Charles Webster.     Writings
    [Gandhi read several of Leadbeater's works on theosophy, occult history, immorality and so on.]
  • Lecky, William Edward Hartpole.     History of European Morals From Augustus To Charlemagne
    [Read in Yeravda prison, August 1923. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:184.]
  • Life of John Howard
    [Read in Yeravda jail, 1924. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 25:83.]
  • Life of Tolstoy
    -
  • Lin-V-Tang.     Lin-U-Tang's Book (Title not mentioned).
  • Llewellyn, Richard.     How Green Was My Valley
  • Locaire.     Astronomy
    [Read in Yeravda prison, December 1932. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 52:327]
  • Lodge, Oliver.     Modern Problems
    [Yeravda jail diary entry of October 14,1923. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:185]
  • Lucian.     Trips To The Moon
    [Read in Yeravda prison, 1922. Comments that this book is excellent and instructive satire. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:144; 25:83,85]
  • Macaulay, Thomas B.     Lays of Ancient Rome
    [Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:148,188; 25:83-84.]
  • Macauliffe, Max Arthur.     Sikh Religion' Its Gurus, Sacred Writings and Authors
    [Gandhi comments that this book is the life story of the Sikh gurus, along with excerpts from their writings. He also writes that the value of the book is lost in gratuitous praise of English rule and misrepresentation of Sikhism as a religion having nothing in common with Hinduism. Read in Yeravda prison in 1922. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 25:155.]
  • Macdonald, George.     Cibble
    -
  • MacDonald, R.     Travelolgue[In his letter of February 8,1932, to Narandas Gandhi. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 49:77]
  • Madan      Fasting
    [Read in Yeravda prison, October 1932. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 51:448; 52:327]
  • Maeterlinck, Maurice.     Magic of The Stars
    [Read in Yeravda prison (diary entry dated December 31,1932). Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 52:327]
  • Maine, Henry James Sumner.     Village Communities in The East and West
    [Gandhi listed this book as a reference to his Hind Swaraj. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 10:65. Also in his petition to the Natal Legislative Assembly, June 28,1894, and his letters to the press, Gandhi quotes from this book. Vide Vol. 1:129, 144, 178]
  • Maitland, Edward.     New Interpretation of The Bible
    [Gandhi read this book in South Africa in 1894, which was sent to him by the author, who was the president of the Esoteric Christian Union. Gandhi corresponded with the author for some time. Liked the author's ideas that Christian beliefs were falsified and hence Christianity failed to give the true message of Christ. Maitland interprets the gospels as allegorical, not historical. Gandhi later used the same methodology to interpret the Hindu scriptures. He publicized- Maitland's works in South Africa in a letter to the Natal Mercury. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 39:114; 1:168,169,192.]
  • Mander.     Astronomy Without A Telescope
    [Read in Yeravda prison 1932. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 52:327]
  • Manu.     Manusmriti
    [Gandhi read this book in his boyhood. He found the book in his father's collection. He felt the work was very cold and amoral. He later read Buhler's translation in Yeravdajaill924. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 25:84.]
  • Marx, Karl.     Capital: A Critical Analysis of Capitalists Production
    [Read this book in prison. Gandhi states that he had high regard for Marx's industry and acumen but was not convinced by his conclusions. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 82:335.]
  • Masani.     Conference of The Birds
  • Bellamy, Edward. Equality
    [Read in Yeravda jail in 1922. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:147, 188; 25:83.]
  • Masani, Rustom Pestonji.     Religion of The Good Life: Zoroastrianism
    [In his letter to Masani, October 19, 1938, Gandhi mentions that he was reading the book at that time. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 68:26.]
  • Mashruwala, Kishorelal G.     Buddha and Mahavira
    [Read in Yeravda prison (diary entry dated December 31,1932). Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 52:327]
  • Mashruwala, Kishorelal G.     Gandhi Vichar Dohan
    [Read in Yeravda prison (diary entry December 31, 1932). Presentation of Gandhian thought in a scientific manner. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 52:327]
  • Mashruwala, Kishorelal G.     Samarpana
    [Read in Yeravda prison (diary entry dated December 31,1932). Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 52:327.]
  • The Master and His Teachings
    [Read in Yeravda jail, April 1922. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:144.]
  • Mayne, John Dawson.     Civil Procedure Code
    [Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 39:71.]
  • Mayne, John Dawson.     Treatise on Hindu Law and Usage
    [Read in India with interest after his return from England. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 39:71]
  • Mayo, Katherine.     Mother India
    [Gandhi was troubled by the "false statements" made by the author. He wrote a detailed rebuttal in Young India, September 15, 1927. Vide Collected Woks of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 34:504,533,539-547; 35:235, 441]
  • Mazzini, Giuseppe.     The Duties of Man and Other Essays
    [In a letter to his second son, Manilal, written in 1909 from the Pretoria jail in South Africa, Gandhi mentions having read this book. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 10:65.]
  • Mehta, J. P.     Vernaculars As Media of Instruction in Indian Schools and Colleges
    -
  • Milton, John.     Lycidas: The Tradition and The Poem
    -
  • Mirza.     Ethics of Islam
    [In jail diary of 1923, Gandhi notes reading this book. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:179.]
  • Modi, P. N.     Bhagavadgita: A Fresh Approach
    -
  • Morley, John Morley.     Life of William Ewart Gladstone
    [Read in South Africa and wrote an article about the book for Indian Opinion (January 14, 1904). Gandhi recommends reading this book about the great and inspiring life of Gladstone.]
  • Morley, John.     On Compromise
    -
  • Morley, John Viscount.     Recollections
    -
  • Motley, John Lothrop.     Rise of The Dutch Republic: A History
    [Read in Yeravda prison, 1923. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:186.]
  • Moulton.     Early Zoroastrianism
    [Read in Yeravda prison, 1923. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:181.]
  • Muller, Friedrich Max.     India: What Can It Teach Us?
    [Gandhi read this book in 1894 while in South Africa. He was deeply impressed by Muller's perspective that the authentic Indian way of life could be found only in its villages. Muller's work and ideas undoubtedly influenced Gandhi's later vision for India - a network of self-sufficient villages with emphasis of simple lifestyles. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 32:409; 39:131]
  • Muller, Friedrich Max.     Upanishads
    [Read in Yeravda prison, 1922-1924. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 25:84, 86]
  • Musings of St. Theresa
    [Read in Yeravda prison, 1922-1924. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi. Vol. 25:85.]
  • Nadkami.     Vedman Adbyatma
    [Read this pamphlet in 1932, in Yeravda prison. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 52:327]
  • Naoroji, Dadabhai.     Admission of Educated Natives Into The Indian Civil Service
    [Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 10:313]
  • Naoroji, Dadabhai.     England's Duty To India
    [Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 10:313]
  • Naoroji, Dadabhai.     Financial Administration of India
    [Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 10:65,313.]
  • Naoroji, Dadabhai.     Poverty and Un-British Rule in India
    [Gandhi read this book sometime before or during 1909. He mentions this book in the Appendix to his Hind Swaraj, published in 1909. Writing a short sketch of Naoroji in Indian Opinion, March 9, 1910, Gandhi notes that this work was perhaps the most known of Naoroji's many writings. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma GandhiVol. 10:65,313; 19:28]
  • Narang, Gokul Chand.     Transformation of Sikhism Or Row The Sikhs Became A Political Power
    [Read in Yeravda prison in 1922. Notes that this book is a monograph supplying information not available either in J. D. Cunningham's History of The Sikhs or Macauliff's book. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 25:155.]
  • Narmadashankar.     Dharma Vichara
    [Reflections on religion (in Gujarati) by a renowned poet who suffered social ostracism for his bohemian way of life. Gandhi read many books on religion with great interest. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 11 :94; 39:131]
  • Natesan, Ganapati Agraharam.     What India Wants: Autonomy Within The Empire
    [Gandhi's foreword to this book, dated September 27, 1917. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 13:556.]
  • Natural History of Birds
    [Read in Yeravda prison, April 1922. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:144, 188; 25:83.]
  • Nehru, Jawaharlal.     Glimpses of World History
    -
  • Newcome.     Astronomy
    [Read in Yeravda prison, July 1932. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 50:458.]
  • Nicholson.     Mystics of Islam
    [Yeravda prison diary entry of September 30,1923. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:185; 44:108.]
  • Nivedita      Cradle Tales of Hinduism
    -
  • Nordau, Max.     Paradoxes of Civilization
    [This book is listed in the appendix as related recommended reading in Hind Swaraj. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 10:65.]
  • Page, Kirby.     War' Its Causes Consequences and Cure
  • Parker, Dr.     Commentaries
    [One of many books read by Gandhi during the early 1890's on the subject of Christianity. Most of these books were presented to Gandhi by his Christian mends who apparently wished to convert him to Christianity. Gandhi found this book "morally stimulating" but not compelling enough for him to wish to convert. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 39:102.]
  • Patanjali.     Yogasutras of Patanjali
    [Studied this book in 1903 in Johannesburg, South Africa, and also read it several times in India. Awakened his interest in Yogic discipline and self- control. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 9:117; 23:146.]
  • Patel, Narasinhbhai Ishwarbhai.     Letters of Narasinhbhai
    [Read in Yeravda prison (diary entry dated December 31,1932). Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 52:327.]
  • Persian Mystics Wisdom Of The East Series.
    [Gandhi received a review copy for Indian Opinion in 1907. The book contained an account of the Sufis and Gandhi recommended this book to both Hindus and Muslims. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 7:43. Later in 1938, Gandhi wrote a Foreword to a book by the same title, translated from Persian to English by Sir Jogendra Singh. Gandhi also recommended this book about the message of Sheikh Abdullah Ansari of Herat, 1005-1090 A.D. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 67:24.]
  • Pherwani, Shivram.     Social Efficiency
    [Jail Diary entry dated May 16, 1923. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:181]
  • Philo Christus.     Pro Christo Ht Ecclesia
    [Jail Diary entry dated October 22, 1922. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:151]
  • Pierson, Arthur Tappan.     Many Infallible Proofs: The Evidences of Christianity Or The Written and Living Word of God
    [Although he enjoyed reading this book, Gandhi was unconvinced by its message that Christianity is the only true religion. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 39:102]
  • Plato.     Defense and Death of Socrates
    [Gandhi included this book to his list of recommended readings, to be read in conjunction with his Hind Swaraj (1909). Earlier in 1908 he paraphrased Plato's work into English as: Story of A Soldier of Truth and published it in his Indian Opinion. In 1919 he selected this book for dissemination, then banned by the British government. Again in 1910, Gandhi's Gujarati translation was banned by the British government since it contained matter declared to be seditious. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 10:65,245; 15:192,412; 16:370; 8:172-174,185-187,196-199,212-214, 217-221,227-229]
  • Plato.     Dialogues of Plato
    [Read in Yeravda prison December 1923. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:187]
  • Pope, George Uglow.     First Lessons in Tamil
    [Vide Collected Works of Mahatma.Gandhi Vol. 39:269; 8:136-137. Pope did missionary work in South India, 1839-1881, and became a lecturer at Oxford, 1884-1896, in Tamil and Telugu.]
  • Premchand.     Ramacharcha
    [Read in Yeravda prison during July 1932. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 50:250,257,301,458; 52:129.]
  • Prophets Message To The West
    [Read in Yeravda prison (diary entry December 31, 1932). Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 52:327]
  • Ramanathan.     Speech on Khadi
    [Letter of February 8, 1932, to Narandas Gandhi. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 49:77]
  • Ranade, Mahadeo Govind and R T. Telang.     Rise of The Maratha Power and Other Essays and Gleanings From Maratha Chronicles
  • Report of The Committee on Co-operation in India. 1917
  • Reports of Herschel and Other Committees
    [Read in Yeravda prison, 1932. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 52:327]
  • Rhys Davids, Thomas William.     Lectures on Buddhism
    [Read in Yeravda prison, 1922. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 25:84]
  • Rolland, Romain.     Life of Ramakrishna
    [Read in Yeravda prison, March 1932. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 49:518.]
  • Rolland, Romain.     Life of Vivekananda and The Universal Gospel
    [Read in Yeravda prison (diary entry dated May 31, 1932). Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 49:527]
  • Rosebery.     The Life of Pitt
    [Read in Yeravda prison, 1922. Gandhi provides an interesting analysis of this book in his Jail Experiences. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 25:83,128-129.]
  • Rosicrucian Mysteries[Read in Yeravda prison, December 1923. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:186]
  • Rothenstein.     Ruin of Egypt
    [Read in Yeravda prison. Mentions in his letter of February 8,1932, to Narandas Gandhi. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 49:77, 509]
  • Ruskin, John.     Crown of Wild Olives: Four Lectures on Industry and War
    [Gandhi was particularly impressed by this work of Ruskin which condemned certain prevailing social attitudes in favor of a more ideal society.]
  • Ruskin, John.     Fors Clavilgera Letters To The Workmen and Labourers of Great Britain
    [In his letter to Mirabehn from Yeravda prison, April 8, 1932, Gandhi mentions that he was then reading this book. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 49:278]
  • Ruskin, John.     Joy For Ever and Its Price in The Market
    [This book is included in his Appendix of books to be read with Hind Swaraj. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 10:65]
  • Ruskin, John.     Sesame and Lilies: Three Lectures
    [Read this book in South Africa.]
  • Ruskin, John.     St. George's Guild
    [Read in Yeravda prison. Refer to his letter of February 8,1932, to Narandas Gandhi. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 49:77]
  • Ruskin, John.      Unto This Last: Four Essays on The First Principles of Political Economy
    [Gandhi's life was profoundly influenced by this book, which he read on October 1, 1904, on a train ride from Johannesburg to Durban in South Africa. He states in his Autobiography that this book changed his life. Gandhi later translated this book into Gujarati, entitled Sarvodaya (Welfare of All). This book was banned by the government during Gandhi's first Satyagraha struggle in India in 1920, along with his own Hind Swaraj. He discusses this book in detail in his Autobiography. "The Magic Spell Of A Book." Soon after reading this book, Gandhi changed his way of life by establishing the Phoenix Settlement. Here, he and his coworkers practiced many of the ideals put forth by Ruskin. Gandhi provides detailed accounts of life on the settlement in his Autobiography: "The Phoenix Settlement," "The First Night" and "Polak Takes The Plunge." Vincent Sheean in his Lead Kindly Light writes that Ruskin's Unto This Last"...affected [Gandhi's] life in its external aspect more immediately than any other... for him action was the way, he could never accept a truth without putting it into practice immediately." Later on, Gandhi founded Sarvodaya Samaj (Welfare Of All Society) which was an important national organization of constructive workers in India. Its most prominent leader was Vinoba Bhave.]
  • Saadi, Shaikh.     Gulistan Or Rose Garden
    [Read in South Africa around 1907. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 7:3,44.]
  • Saadi, Shaikh.     The Way of Zoraster
    [Read in South Africa around 1907. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 7:44.]
  • Saheb, Imam.     Life of Nabi Saheb (Sirat-un-Nabi)
    [Read in Yeravda prison in 1932. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 50:458-460.]
  • Salmin, Al Haj.     Imam Hussain
    [In his letter of February 8, 1932, to Narandas Gandhi. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 49:76]
  • Salmin, Al Haj.     Khalifa Ally
    [In his letter of February 8, 1932, to Narandas Gandhi. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vo\. 49:77]
  • Salt, Henry Stephens.     A Plea For Vegetarianism and Other Essays
    [Gandhi read this book around 1889, during his student days in London. The book reinforced Gandhi's views about the benefits of vegetarian diet. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 1:49,91]
  • Salter, WiIliam MacIntyre.     Ethical Religion
    [Gandhi read this book at some point during his stay in South Africa and was impressed by Salter's message on ethics and morality. Gandhi paraphrased and summarized eight of the fifteen chapters of this book into Gujarati. He published this Gujarati paraphrase in Indian Opinion in its issues from January 5,1907, to February 23,1907. An English translation of Gandhi's Gujarati paraphrase is to be found in The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi, Vol. 6. Gandhi's English paraphrase was published in 1968 by Navajivan Publishing House, Ahmedabad, as a separate booklet. Salter was the founder of the Society for Ethical Culture in Chicago. His book was one of a series issued by the Rationalist Press Association and was published in U.S.A. in March 1889 and later in England in 1905. Vide James D. Hunt Gandhi in London 1978:100-101]
  • Salvemini, Gaetano.     Mussolini
    [Read in Yeravda prison (diary entry dated December 31, 1932). Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 52:327]
  • Sarkar, Jadunath.     Shivaji and His Times
    -
  • Schopenhaaver.     Upanishads
    -
  • Second and Third Urdu Reader
    -
  • Secret Medicines
    -
  • Seely, John Robert.     Expansion of England
    [Lectures originally delivered by the author in 1881 to Cambridge undergraduates. Gandhi refutes some of the author's arguments in Indian Opinion (July 30, 1903). Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 3:462.]
  • Seen and Heard in A Punjab Village
    -
  • Shah, K. T.     Federal Finance
    [Read in Yeravda prison. Mentions in his letter of February 8, 1932, to Narandas Gandhi. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 49:77]
  • Shah, K. T.     Indian Currency and Exchange Banking
    [Read in Yeravda prison (diary entry December 31, 1932). Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 52:327]
  • Shah, K. T.     Sixty Years of Economic Administration of India
    [In his letter of February 8,1932, from Yeravda prison to Narandas Gandhi, he writes that he was reading this book. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 49:77]
  • Shakespeare, William.     Richard The Third
    -
  • Shankh Ane Kodi
    [Gujarati book read in Yeravda prison. Mentions in his letter to Narandas Gandhi dated February 8, 1932. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 49:77]
  • Shanna, Abhayadev.     Vaidik Vinaya
    [Letter to Devdas Gandhi, July 17,1932 Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 50:251]
  • Shaw, George Bernard.     Man and Superman: A Comedy and A Philosophy
    [Read in Yeravda prison in 1922. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:182]
  • Shelley, Percy Bysshe.     Shelley's Works
    -
  • Sherard.     White Slaves of England
    [Includes this book in the Appendix of ri1ated recommended readings to Hind Swaraj (1909)]
  • Shibli, Maulana.     Life of The Prophet
    [Read in Yeravda prison, 1921 Mentions this book in speech at Gulbarga on February 22,1927. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 25:84; 33:114]
  • Shibli, Maulana.     Sirat-On-Nabi
    [Read in Yeravda prison in 1932. Gandhi read this book on Mohamed the prophet earlier for he mentions in a letter In 1930 that this book should be of Interest mainly to Muslims. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 44:129,175; 52:327]
  • Shriman Narayan, Agarwal.     Gandhian Constitution For Free India
    [Foreword by Gandhi. Vide Collected forks of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 81:140,403; 82:137,146]
  • Sinclair, Upton.     Wet Parade
    [Read in prison during March 1932. In his letter of April 24, 1932 to Devdas Gandhi, he states that it is a good novel about American prohibition. Book sent to him by the author. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 49:361,423,515,516.]
  • Sir Jean.     Astronomy
    [Read in Yeravda prison (diary entry dated December 31,1932). Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 52:327]
  • Six Systems of Hindu Philosophy
    [Book by a Jain philosopher in Gujarati. Read in Yeravda prison. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 25:84.]
  • Slocomb's Book
    Title not mentioned.
  • Snell.     Equity
    [A textbook read by Gandhi during law school. Mentions in his Autobiography that it "was full of interest, but a bit hard to understand." Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 1:105, Ill; 39:70,73]
  • Socrates.     Socrates' Works
    [Read in 1908 in Johannesburg jail in South Africa. About this time Gandhi Was writing his Gujarati series "Story of a Soldier of Truth," about the life of Socrates. Plato's writings of Socrates influenced Gandhi deeply and he considered Socrates a fine example of a law abiding, pacifistic, true Satyagrahi. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 8:159; 17:152- 153.]
  • Sohravorthy, Abdulla.     Sayings of Mahomed
    [Gandhi read this book in 1906 in South Africa. Gandhi admired the author who was a scholar, author of several books, and advocate of promoting unity among Muslims and universal brotherhood.' Later in 1938, Gandhi wrote a Foreword to this book. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 6:175; 66:411]
  • Sound of Heaven
    -
  • Spencer, Herbert.     The Principles of Sociology
    [Gandhi read Spencer's works and seemed familiar with Spencer's views as early as 1903 or 1904. Gandhi writes that Spencer's great unknowable is the same as the Hindu philosophy of nothingness. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 4:94-95, 458.]
  • St. Paul in Greece
    -
  • Steps To Christianity
    [Read in Yeravda prison, January 1923. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:178; 25:84]
  • Stevenson, Robert Louis.     Strange Case of Or Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: The Merry Men and Other Tales and Fables
    [Read in Pretoria jail, South Africa. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:147,186; 25:83]
  • Stevenson, Robert Louis.     Virginbus Puerisque and Other Papers
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  • Stokes.     Satyakama Or "True Desires"
    [Read in Yeravda jail (diary entry of March 21,1932). Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 49:230, 517; 52:327]
  • Stories From The History of Rome.
    [Read in Yeravda jail, May 1922. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:145, 183, 187; 25:83]
  • Swift, Jonathan.     Guilliver's Travels
    [Gandhi read this book some time in South Africa, as he cites from it in his letter of November 16, 1910. Also in his letter to Maganlal Gandhi of May 18,1911, he gives a detailed review of the work and calls it an effective condemnation of modem civilization, written in an ironic vein. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 10:357; 11:20,77; 33:207]
  • Tagore, Rabindranath.     Gitanjali (Song Offerings)
    [A collection of prose translations made by the author from the original Bengali. Gandhi read this book some time during his stay in South Africa.]
  • Tagore, Rabindranath.     Golden Book of Tagore
    -
  • Tagore, Rabindranath.     Sadhana: The Realization of Life
    [Read in Yeravda prison, January 1923. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:178]
  • Taylor.     Gujarati Grammar
    -
  • Taylor, Thomas.     Fallacy of Speed
    [Gandhi in his letter of December 9,1910, to Maganlal Gandhi, asks him to translate this pamphlet into Gujarati, which was published in Indian Opinion of December 10, 1910. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 10:379.]
  • Tennyson, Alfred.     The Poems of Alfred Lord Tennyson
    -
  • Text Book of Indian History
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  • Thackeray, William Makepeace:     Vanity Fair- A Novel Without A Hero
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  • Thadani.     Thadani's Poems
    [Read in Yeravda prison (diary entry dated December 31,1932). Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 52:327.]
  • Thakur.     Indian Administration
    [Read in Yeravda prison, April 1922. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:144; 25:83]
  • Theology in English Poets
    -
  • Thompson, Edward W.     Other Side of The Medal
    [In an article to Young India, September 29, 1927, Gandhi writes that this is an illuminating book on how falsified history is taught in schools and colleges. The author was severely criticized by his opponents as neurotic. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 35:54, 213.]
  • Thompson, Francis.     Hound of Heaven
    [Writing on March 9,1945, to Munnalal G; Shah, Gandhi requests him to read this book. Francis Thompson (1859-1907), English poet and critic. Vide Collected Works Of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 79:227]
  • Thoreau, Henry David.     Life Without Principle
    [Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 10:65.]
  • Thoreau, Henry David.     On The Duty of Civil Disobedience
    [Gandhi read and presented a simplified version of Thoreau's ideas in a series of articles in Gujarati in his Indian Opinion, in 1907. He expanded Thoreau's ideas of civil disobedience to encompass a breach of any statutory and immoral law. The civil breacher of the law should do it in a non-violent manner, and cheerfully suffer imprisonment. Thoreau envisaged breach of revenue laws, whereas Gandhi invoked any law that was repugnant and harmful to the people. Gandhi termed this kind of non-violent resistance as Satyagraha.]
  • Thoreau, Henry David.     Walden and Civil Disobedience
    [In volume 59 of the Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi (pp. 69), Gandhi mentions Thoreau's Walden in praise of walking.]
  • Tilak, Bal Gangadhar.     Hindu Philosophy of Life, Ethics and Religion, Omtat-sat Srimad Bhagavadgita Rahasya Or Karma- Yoga Sastra Including an external examination of the Gila, the original Sanskrit stanzas, their English translations, commentaries on the stanzas, and a comparison of the Eastern with Western doctrines etc.
  • Tilak, Bal Gangadhar.     Orion Or Researches Into The Antiquity of The Vedas
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  • Tolstoy, Countess.     Defense
    [Read in Yeravda prison. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 25:84]
  • Tolstoy, Leo Nikolaevich.     Complete Works of Count Tolstoy; Volume 24; Latest Works
    [Gandhi studied Tolstoy's books intensely and was influenced greatly by Tolstoy's pacifism and philosophy.]
  • Tolstoy, Leo Nikolaevich.     Essays and Letters
    -
  • Tolstoy, Leo Nikolaevich.     The First Step
    [Gandhi cites Tolstoy in his pamphlet Hind Swaraj as one of the authorities from whom he drew inspiration and support for the views pronounced in his pamphlet. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 10:65.]
  • Tolstoy, Leo Nikolaevich.     The Gospel in Brief
    [Read this book in Durban during his first year in South Africa. Gandhi was so deeply impressed with the book that he wrote a letter to Tolstoy and maintained correspondence with him thereafter. Gandhi writes in his Autobiography that this book made a deep impression on him and opened his vision to the infinite possibilities of universal love. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 39:131.]
  • Tolstoy, Leo Nikolaevich.     How Shall We Escape
    [Another work of Tolstoy which deeply influenced Gandhi. Gandhi listed this book in his Appendix to Hind Swar(1909). Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 10:65]
    -
  • Tolstoy, Leo Nikolaevich.     Ivan The Fool
    [Gandhi translated this book into Gujarati under the title Moorakh Rai Ane Tena Be Bhaio. Vide Bhabani Bhattacharya's Gandhi The Writer, p.72.]
  • Tolstoy, Leo Nikolaevich.     The Kingdom of God Is Within You
    [Gandhi mentions in his Autobiography that this book converted him to nonviolence, not on the basis of Hindu ideology but based on the ideas from the New Testament. Read this book during his first year in South Africa.
    Speaking in the Ashram on September 10, 1928, on the Birth Centenary of Tolstoy, Gandhi notes that this book which he read forty years ago had a profound effect upon him. It was Tolstoy's ideas in this book that helped erase Gandhi's earlier skepticism of non-violence. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 9:209; 10:65; 37:261; 39:76, 114; 44:258.]
  • Tolstoy, Leo Nikolaevich.     Letter To A Hindoo
    [Gandhi read this essay in South Africa and was thrilled with it for he detected in it the message of civil disobedience. In this letter, Tolstoy commented on the current unrest and rise of violence in India, and advocated that non- violence or passive resistance was the solution to redress the political situation in India. Gandhi, who was in England, became aware of the violent methods advocated by the Indians to oppose the British. Gandhi immediately wrote a letter to Tolstoy (October I, 1909), explaining to him the peaceful resistance that he was waging in South Africa. Gandhi asked for Tolstoy's permission to translate and publish his Letter To A Hindoo in Africa to popularize the views of Tolstoy on passive resistance. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 9:444-446; 10:65,210,212,505,512-514.]
  • Tolstoy, Leo Nikolaevich.     Letters To Russian Liberals
    [Gandhi in his "Instructions For Satyagrahis", dated June 30, 1919, advocated the propagation and distribution of literature preaching the important principles of the doctrine of Satyagraha. He also recommended this work by Tolstoy along with Thoreau's Civil Disobedience , his own Hind Swaraj, Defense of Socrates and other literature. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 15:412-413.]
  • Bellamy, Edward. Equality
    [Read in Yeravda jail in 1922. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:147, 188; 25:83.]
  • Tolstoy, Leo Nikolaevich.     "My Confession," [In] The Complete Works of Leo N. Tolstoy
    [Gandhi recommends this "soul-stirring" book to all his coworkers on the Phoenix Farm. In his letter to Tolstoy, August IS, 1910, from Johannesburg, Gandhi writes that his friend Kallenbach was so deeply touched by reading this book that he had renamed the settlement as Tolstoy's Farm. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 9:213; 10:306-307.]
  • Tolstoy, Leo Nikolaevich.     Relation of The Sexes
    [Gandhi read this book some time in South Africa. In his letter of November 16,1910, from Tolstoy Farm, to Maganlal Gandhi, Gandhi calls it an invaluable book. Asks Maganlal to read immediately, explain it to Manilal, and then pas!; it along to Mr. West Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 10:356.]
  • Tolstoy, Leo Nikolaevich.     Slavery of Our Times
    [Gandhi lists this work as containing many ideas similar to those in his Hind Swaraj , 1909. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 10:65.]
  • Tolstoy, Leo Nikolaevich.     What I Believe
    -
  • Tolstoy, Leo Nikolaevich.     What Is Art
    [Read this book in Durban during his first year in South Africa. Cites this hook as one authority in the Appendix to his Hind Swaraj (1909). Also recommends; this book to Manilal and Sushila Gandhi in his letter of December 5..1927, to them. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 10:65; 35:363.]
  • Tolstoy, Leo Nikolaevich.     What Shall We Do Then
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  • Tolstoy, Leo Nikolaevich. What To Do
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  • Trine.     My Philosophy and Religion
    [Read in Yeravda prison, January 1923. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:178; 25:84]
  • Upanishads
    [Theosophical Society publication. An Englishman's translation of the Sanskrit text. into English. Gandhi read many translations and commentaries of the Upanishads.]
  • Vegetarian Messenger
    [Gandhi read this journal during his student days in England, 1894. He also contributed an article "The Foods Of India." Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 1:49, 126.]
  • Vegetarian, The
    [Weekly paper of the society, edited by Dr. Josiah Oldfield. Gandhi subscribed to this paper during his student days in London in 1891. Also attended the meetings of the Society as a member. Contributed a series of nine articles in 1891. He was interviewed by the journal before his departure to India. Geoffrey Ashe, in his biography of Gandhi (pp.35-36), provides details of Gandhi's association with the Vegetarian Society of London. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 1:19-40,42-49, 121-127]
  • Verne, Jules.     Dropped From The Clouds
  • Vivekananda, Swami.     Raja Yoga Or Conquering The Internal Nature
    [Read this book in South Africa and later in Yeravda jail, 1923. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 39:211; 23:185]
  • Wadia, Ardaser Sorabjee N.     Message of Christ
    [Read in Yeravda prison, May 1923. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:181; 25:84]
  • Wadia, Ardaser Sorabjee N.     Message of Mahomed
    [Read in Yeravda prison, May 1923. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:181; 25:84]
  • Wadia, Prof.     Southern Cross
    [Read in Yeravda prison (diary entry dated December 31, 1932). Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 52:327]
  • The Way of The Buddha
    [Received and read a review copy of this book for Indian Opinion in 1907. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 7:43-44.]
  • Way of The Cross
    [Read in Yeravda prison, July 1932. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 50:259,458; 52:327]
  • The Way To Be in Life
    [Read in Yeravda prison, April 1922. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:144; 25:83]
  • Webb, Alfred.     Alfred Webb's Collection on Indian Civilization
  • Wells, Herbert George.     The Outline of History: Being A Plain History of Life and Mankind
    [Read in Yeravda prison, February 1923. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:178-179.]
  • What War Means?
    [Gandhi mentions in his discussions with Dr. Kagawa, that he read this book, given to him by Jawaharlal Nehru. Toyohiko Kagawa, a Japanese social reformer, evangelist and author, had come to India to attend the Tambaram conference in Madras. He met Gandhi on January 14, 1939. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 68:295-298.]
  • White and Tudor.     Leading Cases in Equity
    [Mentions in his Autobiography that he had to read some of the cases for his Bar exam and found them interesting and instructive. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma GandhiVol.105; 39:70-71]
  • Wilberforce.     Five Empires
    [Read in Yeravda prison July 1922. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:148, 188; 25:83.]
  • Wilde, Oscar.     Complete Works of Oscar Wilde[In a "Discussion With G. Rarilachandran" on October 21 and 22, 1924, one can note that Gandhi was quite familiar with Oscar Eilde's works. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 25:247-256]
  • Williams, Howard.     Ethics of Diet
    [The author shows that many philosophers and prophets had been vegetarian. These readings reinforced Gandhi's beliefs and practices in diet and vegetarianism. Vide Bhabani Bhattacharya Gandhi' The Writer.]
  • William, Joshua.     Principles of The Law of Real Property
    [One of the text books read by Gandhi in law school. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 1:1,04, Ill.]
  • Woodroffe, John George.     Shakti and Shakta: Essays and Addresses on The Shakta Tantrashastra
    [Yeravda jail diary entry of December 23,1923. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:187; 25:85.]
  • Wordsworth, William.     Poems
  • Yogavasishtha.     Mumukshu Prakaran
    [Gujarati book on Hinduism given to Gandhi by friend Raychandbhai in India. While in South Africa, Gandhi read this and many other works on Hinduism, Islam and Christianity. During his early years in South Africa, Gandhi read more than a hundred books on religion. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 39:114.]
  • Young Crusader
    [Read in Yeravda prison, April 1922. Vide Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi Vol. 23:145,187; 25:83.]
  • Zarathustra.     Sayings of Zarathustra
    [Vide Bhabani Bhattacharya, Gandhi The Writer.]