Book Review: The Lost Diary of Kastur, My Ba by Tushar Gandhi

When history whispers the truth, it sounds a lot like Kasturba.

It was a quiet February morning earlier this year when I held in my hands an autographed copy of The Lost Diary of Kastur, My Ba by Tushar Gandhi. This wasn’t just any book delivery—it was a long-awaited one. I had been anticipating this read, not only because of its subject but because of what it represents: a voice long unheard, a perspective long overlooked.

My fascination with history began when I was a child. I would often find myself lost in stories of the past, trying to understand the people behind the names—what they felt, how they lived, and what gave them strength. While textbooks scratched the surface, my mind always reached deeper, asking questions that often went unanswered by teachers and syllabi.

One of those questions always revolved around Kasturba Gandhi. We’ve read volumes about Mahatma Gandhi—Bapu, as we know him with affection and reverence—but rarely do we hear about Kasturba, the woman who stood beside him with quiet strength. Who was she beyond the title of “Bapu’s wife”? What were her thoughts, her sacrifices, her role in the movement that reshaped a nation?

Tushar Gandhi’s book answers these questions—not as a historian with a cold lens, but as a grandson honoring a legacy with warmth and clarity.

In The Lost Diary of Kastur, My Ba, we finally get a glimpse into the heart and spirit of a woman who, in many ways, made Bapu who he was. Through imagined diary entries and reflections based on documented material, Tushar Gandhi brings Kasturba’s presence alive—not as a side character, but as a pillar. The book paints a portrait of Kastur not just as a dutiful wife but as a woman of remarkable resolve, resilience, and emotional intelligence. Her quiet strength is evident in every page, every word.

Reading it felt like having a long-overdue conversation. It reaffirmed a belief I’ve always held: that behind every powerful movement, there are countless unsung women whose sacrifices and convictions make the front lines possible. Kasturba was one such rock—steady, often silent, but absolutely unshakable.

This isn’t just a book for those who admire Bapu. It’s for anyone who loves history, who is curious about the intricacies behind India’s freedom struggle, and who yearns to know the human stories hidden between the headlines. It’s a tribute to every woman who stood behind, beside, and sometimes in front of the men we revere.

I deeply appreciate the effort of everyone involved in bringing this book to life—those who sourced the material, those who believed in its value, and Tushar Gandhi himself for choosing to tell it with such authenticity and empathy.

If you, like me, are a curious soul searching for answers that history books often ignore, this is a book you must read.

Highly recommended.

~ Dawn