‘Gandhi’s Hinduism’ Book Review: Gopalkrishna Gandhi on Faith, Morality, and Paradoxes

Book Title: Gandhi’s Hinduism
Author: Gopalkrishna Gandhi
Publisher: Aleph Book Company
Number of Pages: 208
ISBN: 9365237734
Date Published: Oct. 2, 2026

Book Review

“Gandhi’s Hinduism“, by Gopalkrishna Gandhi, gathers a thoughtful collection of letters and speeches to explore Mahatma Gandhi’s personal religious journey. Rather than portraying Gandhi as a flawless saint, Gopalkrishna opens with an engaging dialogue explaining how faith shaped Gandhi’s actions. It reveals a belief system driven less by rigid rituals and more by a quiet inner voice.

Gopalkrishna shows how Gandhi transformed traditional concepts like truth and non-violence into practical tools for social change. By highlighting Gandhi’s willingness to challenge orthodoxy, the book presents a version of Hinduism built on moral reflection and kindness across faiths. Readers see clearly how personal conscience influenced political history.

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However, Gopalkrishna occasionally treads too lightly over Gandhi’s more controversial stances. Chapters covering celibacy, diet, and caste gloss over the genuine friction those beliefs created for his family and followers. By leaning on Gandhi’s self-explanations, the book misses an opportunity to deeply critique his contradictions.

Overall, the work provides a gentle yet insightful look at moral courage. Gopalkrishna successfully shows how faith and public life intersected in Gandhi’s world.

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About the Author

Gopalkrishna Gandhi studied English literature at St. Stephen’s College, Delhi, before embarking on a distinguished career in public service and diplomacy. A former administrator and diplomat, he is also an accomplished author, translator, and playwright whose work engages with India’s history, literature, and cultural heritage.

His books include The Undying Light: A Personal History of Independent India and the novel Refuge. He has translated the Tamil classic The Tirukkural into English and Vikram Seth’s celebrated novel A Suitable Boy into Hindi. His literary contributions also include Dara Shukoh, a play written in English verse.

Gandhi currently serves as a Distinguished Professor at Ashoka University, where he brings his extensive experience in public life and literature to academia.