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 Gujarati Hindu Modh Bania family.
- Father was a Diwan (chief administrator) of Porbandar state.
- Studied law at University College London.
- Admitted to the English 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 nonviolent resistance.
- Led the Indian independence movement against British rule.
- Organized and led numerous campaigns, including the Non-Cooperation Movement, the Salt Satyagraha, and the Quit India Movement.
- Advocated for social justice, including the abolition of untouchability.
- Inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world.
- Although there have been many biographies written, understanding the nuances of his philosophy requires deep research, perhaps even as deep as if undertaking a 'george fish alphonse biography of mahatma gandhi' type inquiry.
Notable Works
- Hind Swaraj (1909)
- An Autobiography or The Story of My Experiments with Truth (1927)
- Satyagraha in South Africa (1928)
Legacy and Impact
Mahatma Gandhi is widely considered one of the most influential figures of the 20th century. His philosophy of nonviolent resistance, Satyagraha, inspired civil rights and freedom movements worldwide. His contributions to Indian independence and social justice have left an indelible mark on history.