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• On 26th January, 1948, Gandhiji said, earlier independence day was celebrated
on this day, now freedom has come but it has been deeply disillusioning. He
believed that worst is over. He allowed himself to hope that though geographically
and politically India is divided into two, at heart we shall ever be friends and
brothers helping and respecting one another and be one for the outside world.
• Gandhiji was shot dead by a Hindu extremist Nathuram Godse. Nathuram Godse
was an editor of Hindu extremist, newspaper who had denounced Gandhiji as an
appeaser of Muslims.
• Gandhiji’s death led to extraordinary pouring of grief, tributes were paid across the
political spectrum in India and appreciation coining from International figure such
as George Orwell, Einstein, etc. Time magazine compared his death to Abraham
Lincoln.

Knowing Mahatma Gandhi:

• There are different sources from which history of the National Movement and the
political career of Gandhiji can be reconstructed.
• Writing and speeches of Mahatma Gandhi and his contemporaries were important
source for knowing the events. Though there is a difference, speech were meant
for public while private letter were meant to express emotions and thinking that
cannot be expressed publicly.
• Many letters written to individuals were personal but they were also meant for the
public. The language of letter was shaped by the awareness that it might be
published, so it often prevent people from expressing their opinion freely.
• Autobiographies give us an account of past, but one need to be careful while
reading and interpreting it. They are written on the basis of memory of author.
• Government records, official letters were also important source for knowing the
history. But it also have limitations as these were mostly biased so it needs to be
interpreted carefully.
• Newspapers in English and other Vernacular
• languages tracked Gandhiji’s movement, National Movement and sentiment of
Indians regarding freedom movement and Gandhiji. Newspaper should not be
seen as unprejudiced as they were published by people who had their own
political opinions and views.

Class 12 History Notes Chapter 13 Important Terms:

• Moderate: A person who is against taking extreme action.
• Repeal: To undo law.
• Radical: A person who welcomes new ideas or opinions.
• Revolutionary Violence: The use of violence to make a radical change within
society.
• Council: An appointed or elected body of people with an administrative advisory or
representative function.
• Knighthood: An honour granted by British crown for exceptional personal
achievement or religious public service.