Hermann Kallenbach: Difference between revisions

In 1904 he met Gandhi, who was then working in South Africa. They had long discussions on religious and other issues. He was highly influenced by Gandhi's ideas of ''[[Satyagraha]]'' and equality among human beings and became his intimate friend and a dedicated devotee. In Gandhi's words, they became "soulmates" and, for a time, shared what is now called [[Satyagraha House]]. This was a house designed by Kallenbach for them both to live together.<ref name=joburg>{{cite web|title=Serene Satyagraha House opens|url=http://www.joburg.org.za/index.php?option=com_content&id=7418&Itemid=266|publisher=City of Johannesburg|access-date=24 June 2013}}</ref>

In 1910 Kallenbach, then a rich man, donated to Gandhi a thousand-[[acre]] (4&nbsp;km²) farm belonging to him near [[Johannesburg]]. The farm was used to run Gandhi's famous [[Tolstoy Farm]] that housed the families of ''satyagrahis''. Kallenbach himself named this farm after [[Leo Tolstoy]] as he was deeply influenced by Tolstoy's writings and philosophy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-03-31/ahmedabad/29365159_1_gandhi-german-jewish-bodybuilder-tolstoy-farm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503102755/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-03-31/ahmedabad/29365159_1_gandhi-german-jewish-bodybuilder-tolstoy-farm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-05-03 |title=For Gandhi, Kallenbach was a friend and guide &#124; Ahmedabad News |date=2011-03-31 |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=2018-03-04}}</ref>  Abandoning the life of a wealthy, sport-loving bachelor, he adopted the [[simple living|simple lifestyle]], [[vegetarianism|vegetarian diet]] and equality politics of Gandhi on this farm.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mkgandhi-sarvodaya.org/associates/kallenbach.htm|title=Associates of Gandhi : Kallenbach|website=www.mkgandhi-sarvodaya.org|access-date=3 March 2018}}</ref>  Henry Polak was another close friend and follower of Gandhi. Kallenbach was associated with Gandhi throughout the [[Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi in South Africa|Satyagraha]] (non-violent resistance) struggle, which lasted in South Africa until 1914.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gandhi-manibhavan.org/gandhicomesalive/comesalive_associates_southafrica.htm|title=Gandhiji's Associates in South Africa|website=www.gandhi-manibhavan.org|access-date=3 March 2018}}</ref>

Kallenbach also accompanied Gandhi in his first penitential fast at [[Phoenix, Durban|Phoenix]] in 1913 over the 'moral lapse' of two inmates. Also, Kallenbach acted as a manager during Gandhi's 'The Epic March — Satyagraha' movement in South Africa.<ref name="dnaindia1">{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report_who-was-hermann-kallenbach_1527719 |title=Who was Hermann kallenbach? - Lifestyle - DNA |publisher=Dnaindia.com |date=2011-04-03 |access-date=2012-07-18}}</ref> He also accompanied Gandhi and [[Kasturba Gandhi|his wife]] on their final voyage from South Africa to London in 1914. Gandhi and Kallenbach used to call each other "Upper House" and "Lower House" respectively, the Lower House being a metaphor for preparing the budget, and the Upper House vetoing for it.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gandhiserve.org/cwmg/VOL013.PDF|title=India's National Archives|access-date=3 March 2018}}</ref>  

* Surendra Bhana, "Tolstoy Farm, A Satyagrahi's Battle Ground," ''Journal of Indian History,'' 1979, Vol. 57 Issue 2/3, p431-440. Journal of Indian History, 1979, Vol. 57 Issue 2/3, pp 431–440

* [[Shimon Lev]], "Soulmates: The Story of Mahatma Gandhi and Hermann Kallenbach," Orient BlakSwan, 2012