Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru had a complicated relationship during India’s fight for independence. Their views differed a lot, and their personal interactions changed as the political situation evolved.

Their First Meetings:

• Gandhi and Nehru met for the first time in the early 1920s. They were both part of the Indian National Congress, a group working for India’s freedom.
• Nehru, born in 1889, was younger and influenced by Western ideas. Gandhi, born in 1869, believed in traditional Indian values.
• A key moment in their partnership was the Salt March in 1930. Nehru joined Gandhi and showed he supported non-violent protests.

Growing Differences:

• By the late 1930s, they started to disagree more. Nehru wanted India to follow socialist ideas, while Gandhi preferred a spiritual approach focused on villages.
• In the 1940s, Nehru grew closer to leftist leaders, causing tension with Gandhi, who wanted to unite everyone.

Effects of World War II:

• World War II added more challenges to their relationship. In 1942, during the Quit India Movement, Nehru took a leading role even though Gandhi had called for mass protests.
• The British responded by arresting many leaders, including Gandhi, who spent almost two years in prison.

Changes After the War:

• After the war, as the demand for independence grew stronger, Nehru stepped up in talks with the British. Meanwhile, Gandhi focused on promoting peace between Hindus and Muslims as tensions rose.
• The 1947 Mountbatten Plan suggested splitting India into two parts. Gandhi strongly opposed this, but Nehru felt it was unavoidable. This showed how their views were starting to drift apart.

In Their Final Years:

• As India approached independence, the relationship between Gandhi and Nehru changed again. They respected each other but had different visions for India’s future.
• When India finally became independent on August 15, 1947, Nehru became the first Prime Minister, while Gandhi served as a moral guide, promoting peace and unity.

Understanding the Numbers:

• The census of 1947 showed that around 84% of India’s population was Hindu, and about 12% were Muslim. This demographic fact affected Nehru's decisions and Gandhi's campaigns for unity.
• After the partition of India, around 15 million people were forced to move, and 1 to 2 million lost their lives due to violence. This highlighted the importance of Gandhi’s message of non-violence, even as Nehru focused on practical politics.

In Summary: Gandhi and Nehru’s relationship changed a lot over time. From working closely together, they eventually faced big differences, especially in how they saw India’s future after gaining independence. Their legacies show how challenging it can be to lead a nation during significant changes.