In the 1920s, amidst the upheaval of the Indian national movement, Mohandas K. Gandhi and the prominent Indian nationalist and feminist, Sarala Devi Chaudhurani, communicated with each other for over a year via letters that were both politically charged and personally insightful.

In Lost Letters and Feminist History, Geraldine Forbes presents this previously unexplored correspondence. Focussing on their spirited interactions on a range of topics, the author draws attention to their political ideas and personal feelings, as well as their intractable differences.

While Gandhi’s life and work have continued to fascinate historians, Sarala Devi has not yet been the subject of a comprehensive biography. Critical of writings that tend to sensationalise Gandhi’s relationships with women, Forbes’ analysis instead brings her into focus as an equal participant, highlighting her emergence and growth as a political leader in her own right.