Gandhi came from a family belonging to the merchant and money-lending Baniya caste, a Vaishya varna. His father, Karamchand Gandhi (1822–1885), held the post of diwan, or chief minister, of Porbandar. All religious rites were strictly observed in the Gandhi family. His mother, Putlibai, was particularly devout.

Harilal (August 23, 1888 – June 18, 1948),

Manilal (October 28, 1892 – April 5, 1956),

Ramdas (January 2, 1897 – April 14, 1969)

and Devdas (May 22, 1900 – August 3, 1957).