Mahatma Gandhi, also known as Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, was a prominent leader of the Indian independence movement against British rule. He was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, India, and became a key figure in India's struggle for independence through nonviolent civil disobedience.
Gandhi was born into a Hindu family and was influenced by the Jain principles of nonviolence. He studied law in London and later practiced in South Africa, where he experienced racial discrimination that shaped his activism against injustice.
Gandhi returned to India and became a leading figure in the Indian National Congress, advocating for nonviolent resistance against British colonial rule. He organized various campaigns, such as the Salt March and the Quit India Movement, to challenge British authority and demand independence for India.
Gandhi's philosophy of nonviolence, or "ahimsa," was central to his approach to social and political change. He believed in the power of peaceful protest and civil disobedience to achieve justice and equality.
Gandhi's leadership and philosophy inspired civil rights movements and leaders around the world, including Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela. His legacy continues to influence movements for social justice and peace globally.