Mahatma Gandhi, leader of the Indian independence movement against British rule (b. 1869)

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, universally recognized as Mahatma Gandhi, stands as one of the most iconic and influential figures of the 20th century. Born on October 2, 1869, and tragically assassinated on January 30, 1948, he was an Indian lawyer by profession, an ardent anti-colonial nationalist, and a profound political ethicist. Gandhi pioneered and perfected the philosophy of nonviolent resistance, a revolutionary approach he termed Satyagraha, meaning "truth-force" or "soul-force." This unwavering commitment to peaceful civil disobedience ultimately spearheaded India's successful campaign for independence from two centuries of British imperial rule. Beyond India's borders, his principles and methods became a global beacon, inspiring significant movements for civil rights and freedom, notably influencing leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. in the United States and Nelson Mandela in South Africa.

The honorific title, Mahātmā (महात्मा), a revered Sanskrit term signifying "great-souled" or "venerable," was first applied to him in 1914 while he was in South Africa. This deeply respectful appellation, though not self-chosen, quickly became synonymous with his name worldwide, reflecting the immense reverence and moral authority he commanded.

Early Life, Legal Training, and Transformative Years in South Africa

Born and raised in a devout Hindu family in Porbandar, a coastal town in Gujarat, then part of the British Indian Empire, Gandhi's formative years were steeped in a culture of religious tolerance and vegetarianism. He embarked on his legal education in London, England, attending the Inner Temple, one of the prestigious Inns of Court. By June 1891, at the young age of 22, he was called to the bar. However, his return to India was met with professional challenges, as he spent two uncertain years struggling to establish a successful law practice.

In 1893, a pivotal opportunity arose that would profoundly shape his destiny: he accepted an offer to represent an Indian merchant in a lawsuit in South Africa. What began as a professional assignment evolved into a transformative 21-year residency. During this period, Gandhi not only established his family life but also personally experienced and fiercely confronted the pervasive racial discrimination and injustices faced by Indians and other non-white communities under the apartheid-like policies of the time. It was in this crucible of prejudice, which included personal insults and physical assaults, that Gandhi first developed and rigorously employed his principles of nonviolent resistance. He initiated numerous campaigns for the civil rights of the Indian diaspora, organizing protests against discriminatory "pass laws," advocating for the rights of indentured laborers, and fighting for basic human dignity.

Return to India and the Fight for Swaraj

In 1915, at the age of 45, Gandhi returned to India, his reputation as a formidable civil rights activist from South Africa preceding him. He quickly immersed himself in the socio-political landscape, keenly observing the widespread suffering and economic exploitation under British colonial rule. He meticulously began organizing and mobilizing various segments of Indian society—peasants, farmers, and urban laborers—encouraging them to protest against exploitative practices such as excessive land-taxes imposed by the British administration and systemic discrimination. Notable early campaigns included the Champaran Satyagraha (1917) against oppressive indigo planters and the Kheda Satyagraha (1918) against unfair revenue collection amidst famine.

By 1921, Gandhi assumed the leadership of the Indian National Congress, transforming it from an elite body into a formidable mass movement. Under his strategic guidance, the Congress launched nationwide campaigns addressing a spectrum of critical socio-economic and political issues:

• Easing Poverty and Promoting Economic Self-Sufficiency: He tirelessly advocated for the revival of local industries, particularly promoting the spinning of khadi (hand-spun cloth) as a symbol of self-reliance and an economic upliftment tool for rural communities.
• Expanding Women's Rights: Gandhi was a strong proponent of women's empowerment, encouraging their active participation in the freedom struggle and challenging traditional social norms that limited their roles and opportunities.
• Building Religious and Ethnic Amity: He relentlessly strove for unity among India's incredibly diverse communities, promoting interfaith harmony, and vehemently denouncing communal violence, believing that a free India must be built on mutual respect.
• Ending Untouchability: He led a relentless, moral crusade against the deeply entrenched social evil of 'untouchability,' which marginalized millions of Indians. He affectionately called the untouchables 'Harijans' (meaning 'Children of God') and worked tirelessly for their integration, dignity, and equality within society.
• Achieving Swaraj (Self-Rule): This was the overarching objective, encompassing not just political independence from British rule but also self-governance at the village level, economic self-reliance, individual self-respect, and spiritual freedom for every Indian.

Gandhi's personal lifestyle became a powerful symbol of his unwavering commitment to the masses. He famously adopted the short dhoti, a simple loincloth woven from khadi, as a deliberate mark of identification with India's rural poor and a conscious rejection of the opulence associated with Western attire. He chose to live in self-sufficient residential communities, such as the Sabarmati Ashram, embraced a frugal diet, and frequently undertook long fasts. These fasts served dual purposes: as a profound means of introspection and spiritual purification, and as a potent form of political protest, exerting immense moral pressure on both the British authorities and his own countrymen to address injustices or communal strife.

Bringing anti-colonial nationalism to the common Indian and empowering them through nonviolent action, Gandhi orchestrated two of his most iconic and impactful campaigns:

• The Dandi Salt March (1930): In a direct and symbolic challenge to the British-imposed salt tax, which economically burdened the poorest Indians by prohibiting them from collecting or selling salt, Gandhi led a historic 400 km (250 mi) march to the coastal village of Dandi. This iconic act of civil disobedience, where he publicly produced salt from seawater, ignited a nationwide movement against British monopoly and injustice, mobilizing millions across the country.
• The Quit India Movement (1942): As World War II escalated, Gandhi launched a mass civil disobedience movement demanding an immediate and unconditional end to British rule in India. His powerful call for the British to "Quit India" resonated deeply across the subcontinent, though it led to widespread arrests of Indian leaders, including Gandhi himself, and suppression by the British authorities.

Throughout his extensive career as an activist and leader, Gandhi endured numerous imprisonments, spending many years incarcerated by both the British authorities in South Africa and later in India, a testament to his steadfast defiance.

Partition, Assassination, and Enduring Legacy

In the early 1940s, Gandhi's profound vision of an independent India founded on principles of religious pluralism and secular unity faced an immense and ultimately tragic challenge from the rising tide of Muslim nationalism. This movement, spearheaded by leaders like Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the Muslim League, advocated for a separate homeland for Muslims within British India, based on the 'Two-Nation Theory,' which posited that Hindus and Muslims were two distinct nations.

In August 1947, Britain finally granted independence, but this momentous occasion was tragically marred by the painful partition of the British Indian Empire. It was divided into two sovereign dominions: a Hindu-majority India and a Muslim-majority Pakistan. The partition triggered one of the largest and most tumultuous mass migrations in human history, with millions of displaced Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs making arduous and often perilous journeys to their new lands. This colossal demographic shift was tragically accompanied by widespread, brutal religious violence, particularly in the regions of Punjab and Bengal, leading to immense loss of life, widespread destruction, and unimaginable suffering.

Abstaining from the official celebrations of independence, Gandhi dedicated himself entirely to alleviating the distress caused by the horrific communal violence. He tirelessly toured the affected areas, preaching peace, fasting for communal harmony, and attempting to bridge the deep communal divides that had erupted. In the months following independence, deeply distressed by the continued bloodshed, he undertook several more hunger strikes. These fasts were powerful moral appeals for an immediate cessation of communal violence and the restoration of brotherhood.

His last fast, commenced in Delhi on January 12, 1948, when he was 78 years old, had the immediate objective of stopping the spiraling religious violence gripping the capital. It also carried the indirect, yet crucial, goal of pressuring the newly formed Indian government to honor its commitment to pay out certain cash assets owed to Pakistan, a contentious financial point that was fueling further animosity between the two new nations. Although the Government of India relented to his moral pressure, and the religious rioters too began to quell their violence, a dangerous belief started to spread among some Hindu extremist factions in India. This belief posited that Gandhi had been excessively lenient, even overly resolute, in his defence of both Pakistan and Indian Muslims, particularly those besieged in Delhi during the riots.

Tragically, among those who harbored this growing resentment was Nathuram Godse, a militant Hindu nationalist from western India, who believed Gandhi's policies were detrimental to Hindu interests and the unity of India. On January 30, 1948, at an inter-faith prayer meeting in Birla House, Delhi, Nathuram Godse assassinated Mahatma Gandhi by firing three bullets into his chest, bringing an abrupt and sorrowful end to the life of one of history's most profound advocates for peace, truth, and non-violence.

Gandhi's legacy continues to resonate globally, influencing movements for peace, human rights, and social justice. His birthday, October 2, is annually commemorated in India as Gandhi Jayanti, a national holiday marked by prayers, tributes, and solemn reflections on his life and teachings. Furthermore, the United Nations recognizes this day worldwide as the International Day of Nonviolence, a profound testament to his universal impact on promoting peace through non-violent means.

In India, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi is commonly, though not formally or constitutionally, considered the "Father of the Nation" (Rashtrapita), a title reflecting his immense and indispensable contribution to India's independence and its foundational identity. He was also affectionately known by millions as "Bapu," a Gujarati term of endearment meaning "father" or "papa," underscoring the deep personal reverence and familial affection held for him by the people of India.

Frequently Asked Questions about Mahatma Gandhi

What was Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy of nonviolence called?

Gandhi's philosophy of nonviolence was known as Satyagraha, a term he coined. It translates to "truth-force" or "soul-force." Satyagraha was a method of resistance to injustice through civil disobedience, emphasizing peaceful protest, non-cooperation with unjust laws, and a willingness to suffer without retaliation. It aimed to convert the oppressor through moral persuasion and appealing to their conscience, rather than coercing them through physical force or violence.

How did Gandhi contribute to India's independence from British rule?

Gandhi was the principal leader of India's freedom struggle, guiding the nation to independence primarily through his unique philosophy of nonviolent resistance. He galvanized and mobilized millions of Indians from all walks of life through large-scale mass movements like the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-22), the Salt Satyagraha (1930), and the Quit India Movement (1942). By uniting diverse sections of Indian society and strategically undermining British authority through peaceful means, he made continued colonial rule unsustainable for the British Empire.

What is the historical significance of the Dandi Salt March?

The Dandi Salt March, also known as the Salt Satyagraha, was a landmark act of civil disobedience in 1930. It symbolized India's defiance against the British salt tax, which monopolized salt production and disproportionately affected the poorest Indians. By marching 400 km to the coastal village of Dandi and publicly producing salt from seawater, Gandhi directly violated British law. This act ignited a nationwide movement, rallied widespread support for independence, and drew significant international attention to the Indian freedom struggle, demonstrating the power of nonviolent action.

Why is Mahatma Gandhi referred to as the "Father of the Nation" in India?

Mahatma Gandhi is affectionately called the "Father of the Nation" (Rashtrapita) in India due to his unparalleled and pivotal role in leading the country to independence from British rule. He inspired and united various social, religious, and political factions across the subcontinent, awakened national consciousness, and fundamentally shaped the moral and ethical framework of the modern Indian nation through his unwavering principles of truth, non-violence, and self-rule. While not a formal constitutional title, it profoundly reflects the deep reverence and gratitude of the Indian people for his transformative contributions.

What is the International Day of Nonviolence?

The International Day of Nonviolence is observed globally on October 2nd, coinciding with Mahatma Gandhi's birthday. Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007, the day serves to "disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness." It reaffirms the universal relevance of nonviolent principles and commemorates Gandhi's enduring legacy as a global apostle of peace, human rights, and social justice, encouraging the resolution of conflicts through peaceful means.