Abstract

Background: Mahatma Gandhi’s belongings, including the charkha, lathi, sandals, spectacles, stopwatch, and three wise monkeys, have become iconic artefacts representing his ethical worldview. In museum settings, these objects are reimagined as strong symbols that actively communicate ideological meaning beyond their utilitarian origins. Aim: To investigate how Gandhi’s personal items serve as semiotic and ethical tools in museums, transcending their utilitarian beginnings. Objectives: The study aims to investigate the symbolic meanings of Gandhi’s belongings, utilizing Museum Anthropology and Alfred Gell’s object agency theory to study their ideological value, and envies how museums curate and disseminate his ethical legacy to modern audiences. Material: The study tried to examine Gandhi’s charkha (spinning wheel), lathi (walking stick), leather sandals, spectacles, stopwatch, and the three wise monkeys, as well as the practice of fasting, as depicted in museum exhibitions and cultural representations of National Gandhi Museum and Charkha Museum, New Delhi. Results: The study revealed that Gandhi’s personal artefacts had multiple symbolic connotations in museum contexts. The charkha indicates self-reliance, the lathi represents moral fortitude, and the sandals promote anti-caste equality. His spectacles signify an ethical vision, the stopwatch symbolises time discipline, and the three wise monkeys represent pacifism. Fasting is seen as embodied ethics. Collectively, these artefacts provide rich tales that connect visitors to Gandhi’s lived philosophy. Banita Behera1, M.R.Gangadhar et al. My Understanding of Mahatma Gandhi: A Museum Anthropological Study of Gandhi’s Artefacts and their Symbolism, as Represented in Museums. Conclusion: Museums does not only conserve Gandhi’s material legacy; they actively reinterpret and contextualise his ethical visions. These personal things serve as moral artefacts and semiotic instruments, instilling Gandhi’s ideas in public consciousness through carefully chosen iconography and tailored experiences. 

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