Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi (2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948), born as Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, was an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist, and political ethicist who led the campaign for India's independence from British rule using nonviolent resistance known as Satyagraha.

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi in 1947
Born	02 October 1869 (age 155) Porbandar, Gujarat, British India
Nationality	Indian
Education
Alma mater
Occupation	Lawyer, Politician, Social Reformer, Freedom Activist
Years active	1893–1948
Known for	Non-violent resistance, Indian Independence Movement
Notable works	Hind Swaraj, The Story of My Experiments with Truth, Salt March, Quit India Movement
Awards	Time Magazine Person of the Year (1930), Global tributes and honors
Spouse(s)	Kasturba Gandhi
Children	Harilal, Manilal, Ramdas, Devdas
Parents
Religion
Website	Official Government Portal

Early Life

Gandhi was born in Porbandar, Gujarat, in a Hindu Modh Bania family. He studied law at the Inner Temple in London and was called to the bar in 1891. In 1893, he moved to South Africa where he spent 21 years fighting racial injustice.

Political Career

In 1915, Gandhi returned to India and quickly became a key figure in the Indian Independence Movement. He launched several major movements:

• Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–22)
• Salt Satyagraha or Dandi March (1930)
• Quit India Movement (1942)

His philosophy of peaceful resistance inspired movements worldwide, including those by Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela.

Philosophy

Gandhi’s ideology included:

• Ahimsa – Non-violence in thought and action
• Satyagraha – Truth-force or soul-force
• Swadeshi – Use of indigenous goods
• Sarvodaya – Upliftment of all

Assassination

On 30 January 1948, Gandhi was assassinated in New Delhi by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu nationalist opposed to his inclusive policies. His death was mourned globally.

Legacy

• Honored as the **Father of the Nation** in India
• 2 October is observed as Gandhi Jayanti and the International Day of Non-Violence
• Subject of countless biographies and films, notably *Gandhi* (1982)

Notable Works

• Hind Swaraj (1909)
• The Story of My Experiments with Truth – Autobiography
• Salt March (1930)
• Quit India Speech (1942)

Awards and Honors

• **Time Magazine’s Man of the Year (1930)**
• Streets, universities, and statues dedicated in his honor globally
• Revered for his philosophy of non-violence and justice

See Also

• Indian Independence Movement
• Satyagraha
• Kasturba Gandhi
• Raj Ghat