Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
- Born:
- October 2, 1869, Porbandar, Kathiawar Agency, British India
- Died:
- January 30, 1948, New Delhi, India
- Nationality:
- Indian
- Profession(s):
- Lawyer, Anti-colonial Nationalist, Political Ethicist
Early Life and Education
- Born into a Hindu Modh Bania family.
- Educated in Porbandar and Rajkot.
- Studied law at University College London.
- Admitted to the Inner Temple, called to the bar in 1891.
Career and Major Achievements
- Practiced law in South Africa, where he faced racial discrimination.
- Developed and implemented Satyagraha, a philosophy and practice of non-violent resistance.
- Led the Indian independence movement against British rule.
- Organized numerous campaigns, including the Non-Cooperation Movement, the Salt Satyagraha (Dandi March), and the Quit India Movement.
- Instrumental in India achieving independence in 1947.
- Advocated for religious tolerance, social justice, and economic self-sufficiency.
Notable Works
- Hind Swaraj (1909)
- The Story of My Experiments with Truth (Autobiography)
- Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi (series of publications)
- Writings in Young India and Harijan (periodicals)
Legacy and Impact
Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy of non-violent resistance has inspired civil rights movements and political change across the globe. He remains a symbol of peace, justice, and human dignity. The examination of figures like Lenin, the Russian Revolution, biography of Mahatma Gandhi often showcases contrasting approaches to political and social change, highlighting the diversity of strategies in the pursuit of societal transformation.