Impact of Leo Tolstoy on Mahatma Gandhi

The influence of Leo Tolstoy, the Russian novelist, philosopher, and moral thinker, on Mahatma Gandhi was profound and enduring. Although they never met in person, their intellectual and spiritual exchange profoundly shaped Gandhi’s philosophy of truth (Satya), non-violence (Ahimsa), and ethical living. Tolstoy’s writings on morality, religion, and social justice provided Gandhi with a moral and philosophical foundation for his later political and spiritual pursuits. Their relationship exemplifies the global exchange of ideas that helped define the modern philosophy of non-violent resistance.

Tolstoy’s Philosophy and Writings

Leo Tolstoy (1828–1910), celebrated for literary masterpieces such as War and Peace and Anna Karenina, underwent a deep moral and spiritual transformation in the later years of his life. Disillusioned by organised religion, state power, and materialism, Tolstoy turned towards a philosophy rooted in:

• Christian Anarchism: Opposition to state violence and authority, advocating moral law above civil law.
• Non-Resistance to Evil: The belief that evil should not be resisted by violence but by moral strength and love.
• Simplicity and Ethical Living: Rejection of luxury and social hierarchies, emphasising manual labour, vegetarianism, and simplicity.
• Universal Brotherhood: Recognition of the unity of all humans under divine truth and love.

Tolstoy expressed these ideas in influential works such as The Kingdom of God is Within You (1894), What Then Must We Do?, and A Letter to a Hindu (1908). These texts became central to Gandhi’s evolving worldview.

Gandhi’s Discovery of Tolstoy

Mahatma Gandhi first encountered Tolstoy’s writings in the late 1890s during his stay in South Africa, where he was leading the struggle against racial discrimination. At that time, Gandhi was searching for a coherent moral philosophy that could guide his public life and personal conduct.
In 1893, he read The Kingdom of God is Within You, a book that deeply impressed him. Gandhi later described it as a work that “left an abiding impression” on his mind and “overwhelmed” him with its moral clarity. He found in Tolstoy’s teachings an affirmation of his own developing belief in truth and non-violence as guiding principles of human conduct.

Correspondence between Tolstoy and Gandhi

The relationship between the two thinkers grew into a brief but significant intellectual correspondence between 1909 and 1910.

• Gandhi, then in South Africa, had written Hind Swaraj (1909), in which he articulated his vision of Indian self-rule based on moral regeneration rather than political violence. Around the same time, he came across Tolstoy’s A Letter to a Hindu, written in response to the Indian nationalist Tarak Nath Das. The letter argued that India’s freedom would come not through armed revolt but through adherence to love and non-violence.
• Deeply moved, Gandhi sought permission from Tolstoy to translate and circulate the letter among Indian readers. Tolstoy consented, expressing admiration for Gandhi’s efforts.

Their subsequent correspondence revolved around truth, non-violence, and moral duty. Tolstoy wrote encouraging Gandhi’s experiments in non-violent resistance in South Africa, particularly his campaign against racial laws. In his final letter to Gandhi in September 1910, Tolstoy praised Gandhi’s work as the practical application of the universal law of love.

Influence on Gandhi’s Philosophy

Tolstoy’s impact on Gandhi was not limited to intellectual admiration; it helped Gandhi refine his moral and political ideology into a coherent system of Satyagraha (holding onto truth) and Ahimsa (non-violence).
1. Non-Violent Resistance: Tolstoy’s idea of “non-resistance to evil by force” resonated deeply with Gandhi. He believed that moral courage and love could conquer oppression more effectively than violence. Gandhi adapted this idea into a socially active philosophy, calling it Satyagraha, and applied it to political struggles in South Africa and later in India.
2. Concept of Truth and Love: Both thinkers identified truth and love (Agape or divine love) as the ultimate moral principles. Gandhi equated truth with God and saw non-violence as the practical expression of truth. Tolstoy’s emphasis on inner morality and sincerity reinforced Gandhi’s belief that true change begins within the individual conscience.
3. Simplicity and Self-Restraint: Tolstoy’s rejection of materialism, advocacy for simple living, vegetarianism, and manual labour greatly influenced Gandhi’s lifestyle. Gandhi adopted simplicity as a moral discipline, wearing hand-spun cloth (khadi), engaging in physical labour, and promoting rural self-sufficiency.
4. Critique of Modern Civilization: Tolstoy’s criticism of industrialisation and institutional religion found a parallel in Gandhi’s critique of Western civilisation in Hind Swaraj. Both viewed modernity as spiritually destructive and believed that true progress lay in moral and spiritual advancement rather than technological achievement.
5. Religion and Universal Morality: Tolstoy’s interpretation of religion as a personal moral experience rather than a formal institution helped Gandhi reconcile faith and rationality. He came to see religion as a unifying moral force that transcended sectarian boundaries, consistent with Tolstoy’s idea of the “Kingdom of God within.”

The Tolstoy Farm

Gandhi established the Tolstoy Farm near Johannesburg in 1910, named in honour of Leo Tolstoy. The farm served as a communal settlement and training ground for his followers in South Africa.
It embodied Tolstoyan ideals of:

• Simplicity, self-reliance, and manual labour.
• Equality irrespective of race, religion, or status.
• Non-possession and collective living based on truth and non-violence.

The Tolstoy Farm became the moral and practical laboratory for Gandhi’s later experiments with community living in India, such as the Sabarmati and Sevagram Ashrams.

Similarities and Differences in Their Thought

Similarities:

• Both advocated moral regeneration over political revolution.
• Both believed that love, truth, and non-violence were divine laws governing human conduct.
• Both rejected organised religion, materialism, and state coercion.
• Both viewed suffering and sacrifice as essential to moral transformation.

Differences:

• Tolstoy’s vision was rooted in Christian theology, while Gandhi derived his principles from Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist traditions.
• Tolstoy advocated passive resistance and moral persuasion, whereas Gandhi developed a more active and collective form of resistance through Satyagraha.
• Tolstoy remained primarily a philosopher and writer, while Gandhi translated philosophy into political action and social reform.

Legacy of Tolstoy’s Influence on Gandhi

The exchange between Tolstoy and Gandhi represents a pivotal moment in the history of moral and political thought. Through Tolstoy, Gandhi found a universal moral language that linked spiritual truth with social action. Tolstoy’s teachings helped Gandhi articulate a philosophy that would later inspire global movements for civil rights and freedom, including those led by Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, and César Chávez.
Gandhi himself acknowledged Tolstoy as one of his greatest teachers, alongside Jesus Christ, the Buddha, and Ruskin. The Tolstoyan ideals of love, non-violence, and simplicity became integral to Gandhi’s life and his vision of a just and peaceful world.