To Mahatma Gandhi. YASNAYA POLYANA. 8th May 1910.
Dear friend,
I have just received your letter and your book, Indian Home Rule.
I read your book with great interest because I think the question you treat in it: the passive resistance — is a question of the greatest importance, not only for India but for the whole humanity.
I could not find your former letters, but came across your biography by J. Doss, which too interested me much and gave me the possibility to know and understand your letter.
I am not quite well at present and therefore abstain from writing to you all what I have to say about your book and all your work, which I appreciate very much, but I will do it as soon, as I will feel better.
Your friend and brother Leo Tolstoy
About This Letter
Historical Context
Written after reading Gandhi's 'Indian Home Rule' (Hind Swaraj). Despite his declining health, Tolstoy expresses strong appreciation for Gandhi's work. Text sourced from [Wikisource](https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Correspondence_between_Tolstoy_and_Gandhi).
Significance
Tolstoy recognizes the universal importance of Gandhi's work on passive resistance, seeing it as crucial not just for India but for all humanity.
About Leo Tolstoy
Tolstoy was in increasingly poor health, just six months before his death, but remained deeply engaged with Gandhi's work.