Last updated on: February 19, 2026
Putlibai Gandhi is remembered as the gentle and deeply religious mother of Mahatma Gandhi. She did not hold public office. She did not lead armies or write books. Yet her quiet life shaped one of the most important leaders in world history. Gandhi often said that his mother’s faith and discipline guided his thinking from childhood. Many of his values began at home, under her care.
Quick Facts About Putlibai Gandhi
| Full Name | Putlibai Gandhi |
| Birthdate
Death |
1844
1891 |
| Occupation | Homemaker and religious devotee |
| Husband | Karamchand “Kaba” Gandhi |
| Education | No formal schooling recorded |
| Age at death | Lived 47 years |
| Parents | Names not known |
| Siblings | Not Known |
| Children | Laxmidas, Raliatbehn, Karsandas, Mahatma Gandhi |
| Famous Child | Mahatma Gandhi |
| Religion | Pranami Vaishnava Hindu |
| Known For | Deep fasting, prayer, and moral discipline |
| Death Date | June 12, 1891 |
| Death Place | Ahmedabad, India |
| Net Worth | <$1 million |
Early Life and Marriage
Putlibai was born in 1844 in Dantrana village in Junagadh State, in present-day Gujarat. She came from a Pranami Vaishnava family. This tradition stressed devotion, prayer, and respect for all faiths. Religion was part of her daily life from a young age.
She married Karamchand “Kaba” Gandhi around 1857. She was only about 13 years old. Her husband was much older and already a senior official. Karamchand served as Diwan, or chief minister, in Porbandar and later in Rajkot and Wankaner. Though he had little formal schooling, he was known as a fair and practical administrator. Putlibai became his fourth wife after his earlier marriages ended without surviving children.
A Devoted Mother and Homemaker
Putlibai ran a busy household. She cared for four children: Laxmidas, Raliatbehn, Karsandas, and the youngest, Mohandas. The family called him “Monia.” He was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar.
Her life centered on service. She cooked, nursed the sick, and supported relatives. She fasted often, especially on Ekadashi and during the holy period of Chaturmas. Even when she was weak, she kept her vows. She believed fasting purified the body and mind.
She visited temples daily and listened to religious stories. Her faith was calm and steady. She did not preach loudly. Instead, she taught through example. The children watched her patience, kindness, and self-control.
Influence on Young Gandhi
Gandhi later wrote about his mother in The Story of My Experiments with Truth. He described her as saintly. Her discipline impressed him more than any lecture could.
Before Gandhi left for England in 1888, Putlibai asked him to promise three things: no meat, no alcohol, and no immoral behavior. He agreed. He kept that promise even when he faced pressure abroad. This moment shows the trust between mother and son.
From her, Gandhi learned respect for all religions. He learned compassion for others. He also learned the power of vows and self-restraint. These lessons later appeared in his ideas about non-violence and truth.
Family Values and Daily Lessons
The Gandhi home mixed public duty with private faith. Gandhi’s father worked in government. His relatives served as officials too. Young Mohandas saw how power could be used well or poorly. At the same time, his mother taught him that moral strength mattered more than position.
Gujarati traditions shaped the household. Elders were respected. Money was spent carefully. Family honor was important. Prayer and storytelling filled the evenings. These simple routines built Gandhi’s character step by step.
READ ALSO: Mahatma Gandhi Net worth, Age, Wife, Family, Facts & More
Final Years and Death
Putlibai’s health weakened after years of fasting and hard work. She died on June 12, 1891, in Ahmedabad at the age of 47. Gandhi was in England at the time. His family delayed telling him so his studies would not suffer. He learned of her death only after returning home. The news deeply shocked him.
He carried her memory throughout his life. He often said that whatever purity he had came from his mother.
Legacy
Putlibai Gandhi never sought fame. Her influence worked quietly inside her family. Yet her teachings traveled far through her son. Non-violence, self-discipline, and spiritual courage became global ideas because she first planted them at home.
Her life reminds us that history is not shaped only by public leaders. It is also shaped by parents who guide their children with love, faith, and sacrifice. Putlibai Gandhi stands as a powerful example of that hidden strength.
