17:17 on 30th January, 1948

30^th January, 19:45

Name of the Prosecutor: Nandlal Mehta s/o Nathalal Mehta
Crime Section: IPC 302
Location: Birla House, Delhi

Front Page of The Time of India after Gandhi's assassination

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi a.k.a. Bapu, was shot dead by Nathuram Vinayak Godse, a Chitpavan Brahmin from Pune. There have been many articles (and books) written and much ink has been spilled on “Who was Godse?”, “Why did he kill Gandhi?”, “Was Godse member of RSS or Hindu Mahasabha?, “Who else were involved in assassination plot?”. But what happened on last day?

The most acclaimed movie – Gandhi!! It begins on the day of Gandhi's assassination on 30 January 1948. After an evening prayer, an elderly Gandhi is helped out for his evening walk to meet a large number of greeters and admirers. One of these visitors, Nathuram Godse, shoots him point blank in the chest. Gandhi exclaims, "Hey Ram!", and then falls dead. The film then cuts to a huge procession at his funeral, which is attended by dignitaries from around the world. Today is 30^th January 2017 – the world is entering 70^th year of Gandhi’s death, here is what happened on the last day in Gandhi’s life.

News in The New York Time after Gandhi's assassination

Friday, 30^th January 1948

03:30 Gandhi woke up from his wooden bed for morning prayer. (It wasn’t a bed as such. It was just a small wooden rectangle lying on the ground.) He asks other companions, Vrijkrushna Chandiwala, Manu and Aabha, to wake up. After the prayer, he comes to his permanent room in Birla House taking Manu and Aabha’s support. In his room, he revises draft of Congress’ Constitution Structure and made some required changes.

04:45 He drank warm lime water.

05:45 He drank Orange juice and asked for the Correspondence file to see the letter which he wrote to Kishorlal Mashroowala

During those days, Gandhi used to take Clove powder with Jaggery to cure cough. That day the powder was not available and Manu started making the powder. Gandhi asked Manu – What are you doing? She said, “I will come with you little later. Let me make this or else you won’t have it when you need tonight.” Gandhi replied, “Who knows what is going to happen till tonight? I may or may not be alive. If I am alive till night, you can make it later in the evening.”

07:00 Gandhi’s first meeting with Rajan Nehru, who came from America.

08:00 Went for Massage. On the way, he dropped the revised draft of Congress’s Constitution Structure to his Personal Secretary Pyarelal’s room and asked to make the required changes.

09.00 Gandhi took bath and Manu weighed Gandhi – he was weighing 109 pounds.

09.30 Gandhi took his morning meal – Goat milk, some vegetables, orange, tomatoes, basil juice, ginger etc. During the meal, he deeply checked the draft which he received from Pyarelal and asked to correct some numbers of Panchayat leaders.

10.00 Gandhi spent time in daily practice for writing and learning Bengali language. He took some rest before meeting the people who came to visit him. While talking to some moulvies he mentioned about a visit to Vardha but he also added – if and only if God wishes his visit. If something unexpected happens, it’s a different story then. He also asked Bishan to give all the letters which have come on his name. He wanted to address all of them the same day.

12.00 He slept for some time in warm sunlight of January and put a soil-based plaster on his stomach. He drank Carrot juice and lime juice and met some blind and refugee people.

14.15 The meetings started again. Two Punjabis came and discussed about situation of Harijans in their state. A representative from Srilanka came to meet him with his daughter. They discussed about Srilanka’s independence on 14^th February and asked for a message for the same occasion. The representative’s daughter took Gandhi’s signature which became his last autograph.

16.00 Gandhi finished all the meetings and Sardar Patel came with his daughter Maniben to meet Bapu. They discussed many different topics.

16.30 Aabha brought the last meal for the Gandhi – goat milk, some cooked and uncooked vegetables, orange, butter, ginger and lime. Gandhi took his last meal while talking to Sardar Patel. During this, two Kathiyawadi men came to meet Gandhi. Manu asked his permission, but Gandhi replied – if I am alive after my evening prayer, I will meet them. Gandhi asked for his Charkha (the spinning wheel) and lovingly worked with it.

17:00 Aabha showed the clock to Gandhi and he stood up, became ready for evening prayer. He wore his chappals.

Everyday Gandhi used to go through main door, but today he went through small door to reduce the walking time. Thousands of people joined him for prayer. Between the crowd, there was a man who came just in front of Gandhi. He bowed and said – Namaste Gandhiji! Bapu just smiled and did Namaste to him. Manu realized that this man wants to touch Bapu’s feet so she mentioned, “Bapu is already getting late for the evening prayer. Why are you annoying?". Godse just pushed Manu with his left hand. The revolver in his right pocket of the pant was visible now. Manu fell off and all the things in her hand were shattered. Manu just bent to take the beads and…….three shots were heard and rest is history. 

There were only 168 days since India became independent till Gandhi’s death. If we analyze Gandhi’s last few days, speeches, lectures and people addresses, we realize that Gandhi was not very happy. He somehow always knew that his last moment is coming very soon.

I only have sorrow in my heart. There was a time when everyone agreed to all my thoughts and commands. Today no one is listening to me. (2^nd October 1947)

Everyone has to die. Today or tomorrow. Why are we afraid of it? (9^th January 1948)

Even if I am attacked, police doesn’t help me, even if I am shot – I should be stable and take Ramnaam. Let God give me such power. (21^st January 1948)

I want peace, not unrest or else I prefer to die in unrest (29^th January 1948)