Meera Behn and the Indian Freedom Struggle

Meera Behn (1892–1982), born Madeleine Slade, was a British-born disciple of Mahatma Gandhi who dedicated her life to India’s struggle for freedom and social reconstruction. Renouncing her privileged English background, she became one of the most devoted followers of Gandhi and an active participant in India’s nationalist movement. Her work embodied the ideals of non-violence, simplicity, rural upliftment, and environmental consciousness, all central to Gandhian philosophy.

Early Life and Background

Madeleine Slade was born on 22 November 1892 in London into an aristocratic family. Her father, Rear Admiral Sir Edmond Slade, served in the British Royal Navy. Educated in England and France, she developed an early love for music and nature. However, her life changed profoundly after reading Romain Rolland’s biography of Mahatma Gandhi, which inspired her to correspond with Gandhi and later travel to India to become his follower.
In 1925, she arrived in India and was warmly received by Gandhi at the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad. Gandhi gave her the name “Meera”, inspired by Meerabai, the 16th-century saint devoted to Lord Krishna, symbolising her spiritual dedication and renunciation of worldly attachments.

Joining the Indian Freedom Struggle

Meera Behn quickly adopted the Gandhian lifestyle — wearing khadi, living simply, and participating in the ashram’s daily chores. Her commitment to India’s cause extended beyond personal transformation; she actively participated in national campaigns for freedom and social reform.
Her major contributions included:

• Promotion of Khadi and Village Industries: Meera Behn travelled extensively across rural India, teaching villagers to spin and weave khadi. She saw self-reliance and economic independence as essential to India’s liberation.
• Women’s Empowerment: She encouraged women to join the freedom movement, teaching them spinning, hygiene, and self-confidence, and mobilising them for local constructive work.
• Political Activism: Meera Behn participated in various Civil Disobedience and Quit India Movement activities, often facing imprisonment for her involvement. She was arrested multiple times by the British authorities for participating in peaceful protests and defying colonial laws.

Association with Mahatma Gandhi

Meera Behn’s relationship with Gandhi was one of deep mutual respect and spiritual kinship. Gandhi regarded her as one of his most devoted disciples. She lived in Gandhi’s ashrams — first at Sabarmati, then at Segaon (Wardha) and later at Kausani in the Himalayan foothills.
She served as his secretary, translator, and constant companion in numerous public and private capacities. Meera Behn also accompanied Gandhi to the Round Table Conference in London in 1931, where she witnessed firsthand the challenges of negotiating India’s independence.
In her writings, she often described Gandhi’s philosophy as a combination of moral courage, spiritual discipline, and social commitment. Through her work, she became an important link between India’s freedom struggle and the global peace movement.

Participation in Movements

Meera Behn played an active role in several of Gandhi’s major movements:

• Civil Disobedience Movement (1930): She took part in the movement that followed Gandhi’s Salt March, promoting the boycott of British goods and encouraging Indians to use indigenous products.
• Quit India Movement (1942): She was imprisoned for her participation in this final mass movement against British rule. Her detention, like that of many others, symbolised the determination of both Indians and sympathetic foreigners to see the end of colonial domination.
• Constructive Programme: Beyond political activism, Meera Behn worked to implement Gandhi’s vision of rural reconstruction — improving sanitation, promoting education, and addressing issues of social justice and equality.

Work in Rural and Environmental Development

After India’s independence, Meera Behn continued her service to the nation by focusing on rural upliftment and environmental sustainability. She founded several ashrams and centres to promote agricultural self-sufficiency, women’s welfare, and ecological balance.

• In 1947, she established the Pashulok Ashram near Rishikesh, devoted to rural development and the welfare of women and animals.
• She also promoted reforestation and soil conservation, warning against deforestation and ecological degradation in the Himalayan region long before environmental concerns became global issues.
• Her advocacy for sustainable living was later reflected in her writings and speeches, which emphasised harmony between humans and nature — principles that remain relevant to modern environmental thought.

Writings and Ideological Contributions

Meera Behn authored several works on Gandhian philosophy, Indian society, and environmentalism. Her notable writings include:

• The Spirit’s Pilgrimage (1954), her autobiography, which narrates her journey from an English aristocrat to a Gandhian activist.
• Essays on rural life, spirituality, and ecological balance that influenced later generations of environmental thinkers in India.

She interpreted Gandhian principles for a Western audience, helping spread Gandhi’s message of non-violence, self-reliance, and ethical living worldwide.

Later Life and Death

After several decades of service in India, Meera Behn returned to Europe in the 1950s due to ill health. She settled in Vienna, Austria, where she continued to write and reflect on her experiences. She passed away on 20 July 1982 at the age of 89.
Despite her return to Europe, her heart remained in India, and her contributions continued to influence Gandhian institutions and rural development projects long after her death.

Legacy and Significance

Meera Behn’s legacy lies in her remarkable transformation from a British citizen to a devoted Indian freedom fighter. Her life illustrates the global appeal of India’s independence movement and Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence.
Her significance can be summarised as follows:

• She represented the international dimension of India’s freedom struggle, bringing Gandhian ideals to the attention of the world.
• She pioneered early environmental and rural development work, linking ecological balance with human well-being.
• Her efforts in women’s empowerment and education contributed to the broader social awakening that accompanied India’s political liberation.
• Her writings and example inspired countless people — both in India and abroad — to live by the principles of simplicity, service, and truth.