Last updated on: February 23, 2026
Kasturba Gandhi, lovingly called “Ba,” was the wife of Mahatma Gandhi and an important figure in India’s freedom struggle. She was more than a supportive partner. She was a brave woman who joined protests, went to prison, and worked for social change. Her life shows courage, patience, and quiet strength.
Quick Facts About Kasturba Gandhi
| Full Name | Kasturba Kapadia Gandhi |
| Birthdate | April 11, 1869 |
| Occupation | Freedom Fighter, Social Reformer |
| Husband/Wife | Mahatma Gandhi |
| Death | February 22, 1944 |
| Age | 74 years (at the time of death) |
| Parents | Gokuldas Makhanji Kapadia & Varsi Kapadia |
| Siblings | Two brothers (names not known) |
| Children | Harilal Gandhi, Manilal Gandhi, Ramdas Gandhi, Devdas Gandhi |
| Net Worth | <$1 million |
Early Life and Childhood
Kasturba Kapadia was born on April 11, 1869, in Porbandar, Gujarat. Her father, Gokuldas Makhanji Kapadia, was a wealthy merchant. Her mother’s name was Varsi Kapadia. She grew up in a traditional family with simple values.
Like many girls of her time, Kasturba did not receive formal schooling. Education for girls was rare then. She learned household skills and family traditions at home. Even without formal education, she later showed strong wisdom and leadership.
Her family knew the Gandhis well. This close friendship led to her marriage at a young age.
Marriage and Family Life
Kasturba married Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi in 1883, when both were only 13 years old. It was an arranged child marriage, common in India during that period. Gandhi later wrote that, as children, they understood marriage mainly as celebrations, new clothes, and sweets.
The couple faced early sorrow when their first child, born in 1885, died soon after birth. This loss deeply affected them.
They later had four sons:
Harilal Gandhi (1888)
Manilal Gandhi (1892)
Ramdas Gandhi (1897)
Devdas Gandhi (1900)
Family life was not always easy. Gandhi chose a simple and strict lifestyle. In 1906, he adopted brahmacharya (celibacy), which changed their marriage deeply. Kasturba first resisted some of his ideas but later accepted many of them with patience.
Life in South Africa
In 1893, Gandhi went to South Africa for work. Kasturba joined him there in 1897. This period changed her life.
She saw racial discrimination against Indians. She also took part in Gandhi’s early social experiments at Phoenix Settlement and Tolstoy Farm. Life was simple and disciplined. Everyone shared work, cooked together, and lived as a community.
Kasturba slowly became active in public life. She supported protests against unfair laws and showed great courage despite poor health.
Role in India’s Freedom Movement
After returning to India, Kasturba became deeply involved in the independence movement. She encouraged women to step outside their homes and join the struggle.
She took part in major movements such as:
Non-Cooperation Movement (1921)
Salt Satyagraha (1930)
Quit India Movement (1942)
She spun khadi, promoted cleanliness, and worked among poor communities and Harijans (Dalits). Kasturba was arrested many times and spent long periods in prison.
At Gandhi’s ashrams in Sabarmati and Sevagram, she managed daily life. She guided women, taught hygiene, and helped raise children in a shared community setting.
Challenges and Personal Strength
Kasturba carried many responsibilities. She supported Gandhi’s ideals while raising four sons in a strict environment. Their children sometimes felt their father belonged more to the nation than to the family.
She also handled the emotional strain caused by Gandhi’s experiments with diet, discipline, and communal living. Despite disagreements, she remained strong and loyal.
Her calm nature balanced Gandhi’s intense personality. Many followers saw her as the “mother” of the ashram.
Final Years and Death
During the Quit India Movement, Kasturba and Gandhi were arrested and held at the Aga Khan Palace in Pune in 1942. Her health grew worse in prison.
She suffered from pneumonia and heart problems. Gandhi cared for her personally using natural treatments. Kasturba passed away on February 22, 1944, at the age of 74, with Gandhi by her side.
READ ALSO: Mahatma Gandhi Net worth, Age, Wife, Family, Facts & More
Legacy and Remembering “Ba”
Kasturba Gandhi is remembered as a symbol of patience and courage. She helped shape India’s freedom struggle through quiet leadership and sacrifice.
India observes National Safe Motherhood Day on her birthday, April 11, in her honor. Many institutions, hospitals, and trusts carry her name, including the Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Trust.
Today, she is remembered not only as Mahatma Gandhi’s wife but also as a freedom fighter who inspired generations of women to stand for truth and justice.
