Although he is never seen in the book, the famous Indian independence leader is arguably the novel’s most significant symbol. His feats are closely followed by everyone in Kanthapura, and Moorthy faithfully adheres to Gandhi’s philosophy. The events of Moorthy’s campaign and Rangamma’s later evolution parallels Gandhi’s famous salt march. Gandhi is seen here not as a person, but as a larger-than-life figure who inspires people across all of India. Ghandi's written works are notable as well, including Hind Swaraj (1909), The Story of My Experiments With the Truth (1927), and his famous series of speeches, collected under the title Quit India (1942). 

The village of Kanthapura is a symbol in itself, a living microcosm of India’s colonial system and political climate. Divided into quarters, the caste system is represented by the village’s layout. The colonial government is represented in the character of Bhatta and his use of official power to exert his control. The more benevolent side of British rule—in the form of Patel Range Gowda—is swept away when the village begins to rebel. Bade Khan’s intrusion represents the outside world creeping its way into Kanthapura for the first time.