He was a Natal merchant originally (1874–89), then moved to Johannesburg, primarily selling ammunition, dynamite, and arms. He was arrested for his involvement in the Jameson Raid, though fled to Natal during the war.
Harilal Mohandas Gandhi was the eldest son of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and Kasturba Gandhi. He had three younger brothers: Manilal Gandhi, Ramdas Gandhi and Devdas Gandhi.