Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
- Born:
- October 2, 1869, Porbandar, 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.
- Father, Karamchand Gandhi, served as the Diwan (Chief Minister) of Porbandar and other princely states.
- Studied law at University College London.
- Admitted to the English Bar in 1891.
Career and Major Achievements
- Practiced law in India and South Africa.
- Developed and employed Satyagraha, a philosophy of nonviolent resistance, to challenge racial discrimination in South Africa.
- Led India to independence from British rule through nonviolent civil disobedience.
- Organized mass protests, including the Salt March (1930) and the Quit India Movement (1942).
- Advocated for religious pluralism and social justice.
- Fought against untouchability and promoted self-sufficiency.
Legacy and Impact
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi's philosophy of Satyagraha and his leadership in the Indian independence movement have inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the globe. His emphasis on nonviolent resistance remains a powerful force for social change. The impact of his life has been thoughtfully considered and presented in multiple formats, including literary works such as roberta strauss feuerlicht biography of mahatma gandhi.
Notable Works
- Hind Swaraj (1909)
- An Autobiography or The Story of My Experiments with Truth (1927)
- Satyagraha in South Africa (1928)
- Numerous articles and letters published in Young India and Harijan.