Gandhi reflects on the circumstances that delayed his writing the autobiography. He explains how he began writing but had to stop because of riots in Bombay (Mumbai), soon after which he was imprisoned. During his time in prison, a fellow prisoner encouraged him to finish his memoir. Next, Gandhi describes his broader motivation for writing the autobiography, emphasizing his aim to share his experiments with truth, not to claim any degree of perfection. Distinguishing between theoretical academic principles and the practical application of such principles, Gandhi notes that his purpose is to provide an account of the latter. He commits to honesty, promising to acquaint readers with his many faults and errors, and then begins what he calls the “actual story.”

The Gandhi family, historically aligned with the Bania caste known for grocers, held significant stature: Three generations served as Prime Ministers in the Kathiawad states. Gandhi’s grandfather, Uttamchand Gandhi, exhibited profound loyalty to Porbandar even after political intrigues caused his departure, once saluting with his left hand as his “right hand is already pledged to Porbandar” (24). Gandhi’s father, Kaba Gandhi, demonstrated bravery, honesty, and dedication as a Prime Minister.