# My Part in the War explained — The Story of My Experiments with Truth

> Chapter companion for The Story of My Experiments with Truth by Mahatma Gandhi.

## What happens

Gandhi arrives in England during World War I and, despite his status as a colonial subject, advocates for Indian cooperation with the British war effort. He organizes a meeting of Indian residents, argues against using Britain's need as an opportunity to press demands, and leads a volunteer corps for ambulance training. He also assists Shrimati Sarojini Naidu in sewing clothes for soldiers.

## Themes in this chapter

### Service and Community Leadership

Gandhi organizes Indian volunteers for ambulance work and coordinates sewing efforts, demonstrating leadership in service to the community and the Empire.

### Nonviolence and Satyagraha

Gandhi advocates for nonviolent cooperation with the British war effort, arguing that love and service can convert opponents, even while acknowledging the inequality of the colonial relationship.

### Social Justice and Anti-Colonialism

The chapter explores the tension between colonial subjugation and the duty to serve the Empire, with Gandhi initially believing the British system could be reformed through cooperation.

## Character check-ins

### Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

Arrives in England, organizes Indian volunteers for war service, undergoes first aid training, and helps sew clothes for soldiers.

### Gopal Krishna Gokhale

Stranded in Paris due to the war, unable to return to England when Gandhi arrives.

### Sorabji Adajania

A Satyagrahi comrade reading for the bar in London, sent to England to qualify as a barrister to take Gandhi's place in South Africa.

### Dr. P. J. Mehta

Paying Sorabji Adajania's expenses in England; consulted by Gandhi about war service.

### Dr. Jivraj Mehta

Consulted by Gandhi along with other Indian students in England regarding war service.

### Shrimati Sarojini Naidu

Member of the Lyceum ladies' club, throws herself into sewing clothes for soldiers and enlists Gandhi's help.

## Key lines

> I felt that Indians residing in England ought to do their bit in the war. English students had volunteered to serve in the army, and Indians might do no less.

Gandhi believed Indians in England should contribute to the war effort, just as English students were volunteering for military service.

_Gandhi's call for Indian participation in the war effort._

> I thought that England's need should not be turned into our opportunity, and that it was more becoming and farsighted not to press our demands while the war lasted.

Gandhi argued that Indians should not exploit Britain's wartime vulnerability to advance their own political demands, but instead show restraint and solidarity.

_Gandhi's stance against using the war as leverage for Indian demands._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters/part-iv-xxxviii-my-part-in-the-war
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_my_experiments_with_truth_se/chapters