Why is Mahatma Gandhi Called Bapu?

Independence is our birthright and millions of people have fought for the right to freedom in different times in the past. All countries that were at least once under the rule are aware of how important fighting for Independence is. India had many  legendary Indian liberation warriors to fight for our freedom, our country, our individuality. One of these legendary people was the man, who was also called the Father of Our Nation, none other than Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. We know the sacrifice and the power M. K Gandhi radiated in the hearts of Indians to fight against the British. But the question is: Why is Mahatma Gandhi Called Bapu?

Bapu meaning, a polite form of addressing given to him considering his age, position, and wisdom. For the great initiative Gandhiji had taken for our rights, he was given this title. As time passed by, “bapu” became one of the sobriquets used for him along with “Gandhiji ”- Gandhi bapu. He is also called the “Mahatma” and “Father of the Nation”. There are a number of intriguing stories about how Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi came to have his different names. 

Who Called Mahatma Gandhi as Bapu for the first time

Traditional Indians use the term bapu to describe the cherished figure in your life. In Gujarati, as particularly those in Gujarat call their father bapu. The Gujarat government claims that an anonymous journalist from Saurashtra gave Gandhiji the title of “Mahatma”. However, students across India are taught that Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore gave Gandhi ji  the title. 

During the years of the freedom struggle, Gandhi’s image of himself wearing his trademark khadi dhoti and carrying a walking stick came to represent the word “father” for the entire country. His simplicity and vouch for peace made him an epitome of leadership expectations and set different standards to the world.  

Who originally referred to Mahatma Gandhi as “Rashtrapita ”?

The Mahatma was initially referred to as the Father of the Nation by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose in his condolence letter to him following the death of his wife Kasturba, many years before the Constitution of Independent India.

Rasasala Jivram Shastri, the creator of the Ayurvedic pharmacy and royal physician of the ancient princely State Gondal, first referred to Gandhi as a “Mahatma” following his return from South Africa. He was making reference to the historic campaign against apart heid in South Africa from 1908 to 1914. At a spectacular celebration held at Rasashala on January 27, 1915, Gandhi was given the title. Gandhi’s name came to be associated with the title “Mahatma” as a result of the great liberation fighter’s later use of the term by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore and many others.

The Gujarat government claims that an unnamed writer from Saurashtra bestowed Gandhi bapu with the title of “Mahatma” rather than Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, as is commonly believed by students throughout India. Although there are contradictory accounts of how he came to hold the title, “Mahatma” will always be associated with the great Indian liberation fighter Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi in the collective Indian mind.

Now that we know the answer to the question :Why Mahatma Gandhi is called bapu? Is that he earned the title from his good deeds and struggle that helped India become Independent in the year 1947. Nalanda, the best school in Hyderabad, has the best education that creates world leaders like Gandhi.