Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, widely known as Mahatma Gandhi, was a key leader in India’s struggle for independence from British colonial rule. Born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, Gujarat, Gandhi studied law in London before working in South Africa, where he experienced racial discrimination. This injustice inspired him to develop his philosophy of Satyagraha—non-violent resistance.
Returning to India in 1915, Gandhi became a prominent figure in the Indian National Congress and led nationwide campaigns against British-imposed taxes, salt laws, and other injustices. Major movements under his leadership included the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920), Civil Disobedience Movement (1930), and the Quit India Movement (1942). He emphasized truth (Satya), non-violence (Ahimsa), self-reliance (Swadeshi), and upliftment of rural India.
Gandhi inspired civil rights movements worldwide, influencing leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela. Despite advocating peace, he was assassinated on January 30, 1948, by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu nationalist who opposed Gandhi’s inclusive ideology.
Mahatma Gandhi is remembered as the Father of the Nation in India. His life and teachings continue to influence social and political movements globally, advocating justice through peaceful means.