Gandhi's Childhood and Youth

"My books and my lessons were my sole companions. I was frightened in case anyone should poke fun at me." Mohandas wrote this in his book An Autobiography : the Story of my Experiments with Truth. This twelve year old boy who was a shy, solitary little boy turned into the Father of a Nation.
Mohandas Kramchand Gandhi was born on October 2nd 1869 in the little town of Porbandar on the Kathia Peninsula of Western India. Mohandas, or Slave of Krishna summarized his life. Krishna, in the Hindu holy book, Bhagavad Gita, teaches his followers: "Non-violence, truth, freedom from anger, renunciation, serenity, sympathy for all beings, gentleness, forgiveness, fortitude, humble."
Mohandas’ father, Karamchand Gandhi, was a Dewan or Prime Minister of a little princely state of Porbandar that was on the edge of the Arabian Sea. Karanchand was also an experienced civil servant who worked for the British. Even though they were wealthy the name Gandhi means ‘grocer,’ so the family of Mohandas was Vaisya which was not very distinguished in the caste system.
In the Hindu caste system there were four main castes. The Brahmins were the most senior. They were the religious teachers and scholars. The Kshatriyas were the next in rank and were traditionally warriors from which the kings and princes arose. The Vaisyas were next and they were the merchants, small landholders and clerks. Lastly there were the Sudras who were craftsmen and peasants that performed services for others.
Gandhi writes in his book that his father, "never had any ambition to gather riches and left us very little." The family was orthodox Hindu from the Vishnu sect. They were called the Vaishnava’s. The Hindu religion has many gods and goddesses, but these can be understood as representing the different powers and qualities of one complete divine power. The Gandhi’s worshipped and revered the God of Mercy who they believed preserved mankind. Although at times Gandhi was disobedient to his parents and teachers his background love and mercy that helped shape his future.