Mirabehn Biography 
Mirabehn is a British woman who later became a Gandhian. She left her home to live and work with Gandhi and accepted the name, Mira. Her real name was Madeleine Slade and she was rechristened Mirabehn by none other than Gandhi. Mira bhai was a great devotee of Lord Krishna. She dedicated her whole life for social activities and human development. The Spirit's Pilgrimage – is her autobiography work. Bapu's Letters to Mira and New and Old Gleanings and unpublished ‘Spirit of Beethoven’ are her other works. In 1982 film Gandhi, her role was portrayed by Actress Geraldine James. She returned to England in 1959 and one year later she moved to Austria.
She was born into a British family in 1892. She was the daughter of the British Rear-Admiral Sir Edmond Slade. Since childhood she was attracted towards the tunes of Beethoven. She spent her childhood with her maternal grandfather. She took to the piano and concerts and also served as concert manager and music arranger. She visited the places where Beethoven lived and composed music and also wrote a biography work on him. She died before the work got published.
Inspired by Romain Rolland’s words that Gandhi is the greatest figure of the 20th century and another Christ, she read Rolland's biography of Gandhi. She was drawn towards him and decided to become his disciple. She asked permission from Gandhi to live in Sabarmati Ashram and Gandhi replied yes, warning her about ascetic's life to be practised in Ashram. She reached Ahmedabad in 1925. She accompanied Gandhi to the Round Table Conference in London in 1931. She spent 34 years in India before she returned back. She was honoured with Padma Vibhushan in 1981. She spent her last 22 years in Vienna and passed away in 1982.
Published: N/A
Updated: November 11, 2015
