LEGAL ENGLISH

Answer: When Gandhi decided to prepare for the Bar, he was still a shy young man of nineteen. After passing his matriculation and joining Samaldas College, he realized that his heart was not in those studies. It was then suggested by family friend Mavji Dave, fondly called as Joshiji, that he should go to England and qualify as a barrister, which would ensure him a secure career. His elder brother Laxmidas took responsibility for arranging the money required, though it was a heavy burden on the family. Gandhi’s mother, Putlibai, was reluctant to send him abroad, fearing that he might abandon his traditions and get influenced by foreign ways. To convince her, Gandhi went to Becharji Swami a Jain monk and took a vow before her that he would never touch wine, meat, or women while in England. This solemn promise satisfied her and gave him a strong moral anchor for his future life. The caste elders, however, opposed his decision, declaring that crossing the seas was forbidden, but Gandhi remained firm and sailed for London in 1888. 

On reaching London, Gandhi found himself in a completely different world. He was admitted to the Inner Temple to study law, but the cultural differences confused him. At first, he tried to imitate the English way of dressing, wearing a top hat, gloves, and even trying to learn dancing and playing the violin to appear more like an English gentleman. However, he soon realized that such efforts did not suit him, and he gave them up. Food was another challenge. Since he had vowed not to eat meat, he struggled to find proper vegetarian meals in the city. After much difficulty, he discovered a vegetarian restaurant and even joined the Vegetarian Society of London, which brought him into contact with like-minded people and helped him strengthen his belief in simple living. Academically, Gandhi was not brilliant in the beginning, but he worked with steady discipline. 

He studied law systematically, attending lectures and preparing for examinations with sincerity. Alongside his legal studies, he developed a keen interest in philosophy and religion. He read the Bhagavad Gita deeply and also studied works on Christianity and other faiths. These readings expanded his outlook and shaped the foundation of his future moral and political thought. After three years of disciplined study, Gandhi was called to the Bar in June 1891. He had succeeded in fulfilling his vow to his mother, keeping his principles intact, and at the same time acquiring a degree that gave him entry into the legal profession. His life in London was not only a preparation for a career but also a preparation for the greater mission he would one day take up in life.