Mahatma Gandhi is arrested in India, tried for sedition, and sentenced to six years in prison, only to be released after nearly two years for an appendicitis operation.

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, reverently known worldwide as Mahatma Gandhi (2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948), was an iconic figure in global history. Often pronounced GAHN-dee, this Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist, and profound political ethicist pioneered the philosophy of nonviolent resistance, a powerful tool he wielded to lead India's triumphant campaign for independence from British rule. His innovative methods and unwavering commitment to peace later inspired numerous movements for civil rights and freedom across the globe. The honorific "Mahātmā," a Sanskrit term meaning "great-souled" or "venerable," was first bestowed upon him in 1914 during his time in South Africa, a title by which he is now universally recognized.

Early Life and Formative Years

Born and raised in a Hindu family in the coastal region of Gujarat, India, the young Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was steeped in the rich cultural and spiritual traditions of his homeland. His mother, Putlibai, a deeply religious woman, had a profound influence on his formative years, instilling in him the values of non-injury to living beings (ahimsa), vegetarianism, fasting for self-purification, and mutual tolerance among members of different creeds. At the age of 18, Gandhi embarked on a journey to London, England, to study law at the Inner Temple. This period of his life, from 1888 to 1891, was one of significant personal and intellectual development, as he adapted to Western customs while simultaneously deepening his appreciation for his own cultural heritage. In June 1891, at the age of 22, he was called to the bar, marking the beginning of his legal career.

The South African Crucible: Forging a Leader

Upon his return to India, Gandhi found it challenging to establish a successful law practice during two uncertain years. This led him to accept a one-year contract in 1893 to represent an Indian merchant in a lawsuit in South Africa. What began as a professional engagement soon transformed into a defining 21-year chapter of his life. It was in South Africa, a country then grappling with severe racial discrimination against Indian immigrants, that Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi's political consciousness was truly awakened. He personally experienced the sting of prejudice, notably being forcibly removed from a first-class train compartment despite holding a valid ticket. These experiences compelled him to confront systemic injustice head-on. Here, he not only raised a family but also developed and first employed his unique philosophy of nonviolent resistance, which he termed "Satyagraha" (truth-force), in a sustained campaign for the civil rights of the Indian community. This period was instrumental in shaping the leader who would eventually guide India to freedom.

Return to India and the Fight for Swaraj

In 1915, at the age of 45, Mahatma Gandhi returned to India, now an experienced and resolute activist. He quickly immersed himself in the socio-political landscape, understanding the profound challenges faced by his countrymen under British colonial rule. He began by organizing peasants, farmers, and urban laborers to protest against excessive land-taxes and pervasive discrimination. By 1921, Gandhi had assumed leadership of the Indian National Congress, transforming it into a mass movement. Under his guidance, the Congress launched nationwide campaigns aimed at easing poverty, expanding women's rights, fostering religious and ethnic amity, and crucially, eradicating the scourge of untouchability. Above all, his overarching goal was to achieve "Swaraj," or self-rule, for India.

As a powerful symbol of his identification with India's rural poor, Mahatma Gandhi adopted a radically simple lifestyle. He began wearing the short dhoti, a traditional garment woven with hand-spun yarn (khadi), forsaking Western attire. He lived in self-sufficient residential communities (ashrams), ate simple vegetarian food, and undertook long fasts not only as a means of personal introspection but also as a potent form of political protest and moral persuasion. This commitment to simplicity and self-reliance resonated deeply with the common Indian, elevating anti-colonial nationalism from an elite pursuit to a people's movement.

The Dandi Salt March and Quit India

Gandhi's strategic genius and moral authority were perhaps best demonstrated in the legendary Dandi Salt March of 1930. Challenging the British-imposed salt tax, which economically burdened India's poorest citizens, Gandhi led thousands on a 400 km (250 mi) march to the Arabian Sea to illegally make salt. This act of civil disobedience galvanized the nation and drew international attention to the injustices of British rule. Later, in 1942, as World War II raged, Gandhi launched the "Quit India Movement," calling for the immediate withdrawal of the British from India. Throughout these and other campaigns, he faced numerous arrests and spent many years imprisoned in both South Africa and India, but his resolve remained unbroken.

The Partition and a Tragic End

As the 1940s progressed, Mahatma Gandhi's vision of an independent India based on religious pluralism faced a formidable challenge from a growing Muslim nationalism, which advocated for a separate homeland for Muslims within British India. Despite Gandhi's fervent appeals for unity, Britain granted independence in August 1947, but simultaneously partitioned the vast British Indian Empire into two distinct dominions: a Hindu-majority India and a Muslim-majority Pakistan. This monumental division led to widespread religious violence, particularly in regions like Punjab and Bengal, as millions of displaced Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs embarked on perilous journeys to their new lands.

Abstaining from the official celebrations of independence, a heartbroken Gandhi tirelessly visited the affected areas, attempting to quell the violence and alleviate distress. In the months that followed, he undertook several hunger strikes, famously known as his fasts unto death, as a means to stop the communal carnage. The last of these, begun in Delhi on 12 January 1948 when he was 78, also carried the indirect goal of pressuring the Indian government to pay out cash assets owed to Pakistan, a point of contention between the newly formed nations. While the Government of India eventually relented, and the religious rioters temporarily ceased their hostilities, a dangerous belief began to circulate among some Hindus in India: that Gandhi had been excessively resolute in his defense of both Pakistan and Indian Muslims, especially those besieged in Delhi. Among these was Nathuram Godse, a militant Hindu nationalist from western India. On 30 January 1948, at an inter-faith prayer meeting in Delhi, Godse assassinated Mahatma Gandhi by firing three bullets into his chest, silencing one of the greatest advocates for peace and nonviolence the world has ever known.

Legacy and Global Impact

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi's birthday, 2 October, is celebrated in India as Gandhi Jayanti, a national holiday, and is commemorated worldwide as the International Day of Nonviolence. Though not formally decreed, he is universally regarded as the "Father of the Nation" in India and was affectionately called "Bapu" (a Gujarati endearment for father or papa) by millions. His philosophy of Satyagraha continues to inspire civil rights leaders and freedom fighters globally, from Martin Luther King Jr. in the United States to Nelson Mandela in South Africa. Mahatma Gandhi's life and teachings remain a beacon for justice, peace, and human dignity, demonstrating the extraordinary power of nonviolent resistance to effect profound societal change.

Frequently Asked Questions about Mahatma Gandhi

Who was Mahatma Gandhi?
Mahatma Gandhi, born Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, was an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist, and political ethicist who famously led India to independence from British rule using nonviolent resistance. He is revered as one of the most influential figures of the 20th century.
When and where was Mahatma Gandhi born?
He was born on 2 October 1869 in Porbandar, Gujarat, British India (now India).
What is Mahatma Gandhi famous for?
Mahatma Gandhi is most famous for spearheading India's successful campaign for independence through his philosophy and methods of nonviolent civil disobedience, known as Satyagraha. He also inspired civil rights and freedom movements globally.
What was Satyagraha?
Satyagraha, a term coined by Gandhi, translates to "truth-force" or "insistence on truth." It is a philosophy and practice of nonviolent resistance, where activists refuse to obey unjust laws or cooperate with oppressive systems, relying on moral persuasion and the willingness to suffer for a cause without inflicting violence on others.
What role did Mahatma Gandhi play in India's independence?
As the leader of the Indian National Congress from 1921, Gandhi organized and led numerous nationwide campaigns of nonviolent resistance, including the Dandi Salt March and the Quit India Movement. His moral authority and ability to mobilize millions of ordinary Indians were crucial in compelling the British to grant India independence in 1947.
How did Mahatma Gandhi die?
Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated on 30 January 1948 in Delhi by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu nationalist, who fired three bullets into his chest during an inter-faith prayer meeting.
What is Mahatma Gandhi's legacy?
Gandhi's legacy is immense. He is considered the "Father of the Nation" in India. His principles of nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience have influenced countless movements for social justice and human rights worldwide. His birthday is observed as the International Day of Nonviolence, and his teachings continue to inspire peace and ethical leadership globally.