INDIA: Gentle Woman

Within the prison walls of the Aga Khan's shabby villa at Poona death came to Kasturbai Gandhi. On the funeral day the guarded gates opened, briefly, to let aged, withered Mohandas Gandhi follow the body of his wife and co-prisoner to its pyre.

The widower held an unsteady umbrella against India's brilliant sun. About his shawled figure pressed kinsfolk and friends, chanting Hindu, Moslem, Parsi and Christian prayers. Intently he looked upon the burning ghat.

Kasturbai had been Mohandas Gandhi's child-bride of three-score years ago, when he was a boy to whom marriage meant "good clothes to wear, drum beating . ....

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!