Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
- Born:
- October 2, 1869, Porbandar, Gujarat, 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.
- Studied law at the Inner Temple in London.
- Admitted to the English Bar in 1891.
Career and Major Achievements
- Practiced law in Bombay (Mumbai) and Rajkot.
- Moved to South Africa in 1893, where he experienced racial discrimination.
- Developed and practiced Satyagraha, a philosophy of nonviolent resistance, in South Africa.
- Returned to India in 1915 and became a leader in the Indian National Congress.
- Led nationwide campaigns for easing poverty, expanding women's rights, religious and ethnic amity, ending untouchability, and achieving self-rule (Swaraj).
- Led the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922).
- Led the Salt Satyagraha (1930).
- Imprisoned multiple times for his political activities.
- Played a key role in India's independence from British rule in 1947.
Legacy and Impact
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, often referred to as Mahatma Gandhi, is widely considered one of the most influential figures of the 20th century. His philosophy of nonviolent resistance, Satyagraha, inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. His leadership in the Indian independence movement was instrumental in ending British colonial rule. The impact of mansur al salami biography of mahatma gandhi and similar works continue to inform understanding of his influence and legacy.
Notable Works
- Hind Swaraj (1909)
- An Autobiography or The Story of My Experiments with Truth (1927)
- Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi (Published by the Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India)
Awards and Recognition
Though he never received the Nobel Peace Prize, he was nominated several times. He received numerous other awards and accolades throughout his life and posthumously.