Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, revered globally as Mahatma Gandhi, was a towering figure in the 20th century. Born on October 2, 1869, and tragically assassinated on January 30, 1948, he was an Indian lawyer, a fierce anti-colonial nationalist, and a profound political ethicist. His enduring legacy stems from his pioneering use of nonviolent resistance, a philosophy he called Satyagraha, which successfully spearheaded India's arduous journey to independence from British rule. Beyond India's borders, his methods and spirit became a beacon, inspiring movements for civil rights and freedom across the entire world. The honorific 'Mahātmā,' a Sanskrit term meaning "great-souled" or "venerable," was first bestowed upon him in South Africa in 1914, a title that has since resonated globally and forever defines his identity.

Early Life and Legal Education

Born and raised within a devout Hindu family in the coastal region of Gujarat, India, Gandhi's early life laid the groundwork for his future. His path led him to London, where he pursued legal studies at the prestigious Inner Temple. By June 1891, at the age of 22, he had successfully completed his training and was called to the bar, ready to embark on a career in law. However, his initial attempts to establish a successful legal practice in India proved challenging, leading to two rather uncertain years.

The South African Awakening

A pivotal chapter in Mahatma Gandhi's life began in 1893 when he journeyed to South Africa. His initial purpose was to represent an Indian merchant in a lawsuit, but what started as a professional engagement evolved into a profound, 21-year personal and political awakening. It was on South African soil that Gandhi not only raised his own family but, more significantly, first confronted racial discrimination and injustice head-on. Here, he forged and first employed his revolutionary approach of nonviolent resistance – a powerful and strategic campaign for civil rights that would later become the hallmark of his global influence.

Return to India and the Fight for Swaraj

In 1915, at the age of 45, Gandhi returned to his homeland, India, a nation then firmly under British colonial rule. It wasn't long before he immersed himself in the country's struggles, quickly organizing peasants, farmers, and urban laborers. His initial focus was on protesting against excessive land-taxes and pervasive discrimination, building a grassroots movement. By 1921, he had assumed the formidable leadership of the Indian National Congress, transforming it into a mass movement for India's independence. Under his guidance, the Congress launched nationwide campaigns targeting some of India's most entrenched issues: easing poverty, advocating for expanding women's rights, fostering religious and ethnic amity, and, crucially, working to eradicate the abhorrent practice of untouchability. Above all, his ultimate goal was the achievement of 'Swaraj,' or complete self-rule for India.

Symbolism and Strategy

Mahatma Gandhi deliberately adopted the humble, short dhoti, woven from hand-spun yarn, as a potent symbol of identification with India's vast rural poor and a rejection of colonial ostentation. He chose to live in self-sufficient residential communities, embracing simple food and undertaking rigorous, often prolonged fasts. These fasts served a dual purpose: they were a means of deep introspection and purification, but also powerful tools of political protest, designed to sway public opinion and pressure authorities. He masterfully brought the concept of anti-colonial nationalism to the common Indian, transforming it from an elite aspiration into a mass movement.

Among his most iconic acts was the 1930 Dandi Salt March. This 400 km (250 mi) trek to the Arabian Sea was a direct and dramatic challenge to the British-imposed salt tax, an unjust levy that affected every Indian. Later, in 1942, as World War II raged, Gandhi launched the "Quit India" movement, demanding an immediate end to British rule. Throughout these campaigns for India's independence, his unwavering commitment led to numerous imprisonments, spending many years incarcerated in both South Africa and India.

The Pain of Partition and Final Days

Gandhi's vision for an independent India was founded on religious pluralism, a nation where all faiths could coexist peacefully. However, in the early 1940s, this vision was severely challenged by the rising tide of Muslim nationalism, which increasingly demanded a separate homeland for Muslims within British India. When Britain finally granted independence in August 1947, it came at a devastating cost: the British Indian Empire was partitioned into two new dominions, a Hindu-majority India and a Muslim-majority Pakistan. This monumental division triggered an unprecedented migration, as millions of displaced Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs tragically made their way to their new lands, igniting widespread religious violence, particularly in the regions of Punjab and Bengal.

Refusing to partake in the official celebrations of independence, a somber Gandhi instead journeyed to the affected areas, tirelessly working to alleviate the immense distress and suffering. In the difficult months that followed, he undertook several more hunger strikes, his body a living testament against the escalating religious bloodshed. The last of these, commenced in Delhi on January 12, 1948, when he was 78 years old, also carried the indirect, yet crucial, goal of pressing India to release certain cash assets owed to Pakistan. Although the Government of India eventually relented, and the religious rioting began to subside, a dangerous sentiment simmered among some Hindus: a belief that Gandhi had been excessively resolute in his defense of both Pakistan and India's Muslim population, especially those besieged in Delhi. Among those who harbored this resentment was Nathuram Godse, a militant Hindu nationalist from western India. On January 30, 1948, at an inter-faith prayer meeting in Delhi, Godse tragically assassinated Gandhi, firing three bullets into his chest, bringing an abrupt and sorrowful end to the life of the man who had given so much for his nation.

Enduring Legacy

Mahatma Gandhi's impact continues to resonate globally. His birthday, October 2, is observed as Gandhi Jayanti, a national holiday across India, and is also recognized worldwide as the International Day of Nonviolence, a testament to his philosophy's universal appeal. While not formally declared, Gandhi is commonly and affectionately considered the "Father of the Nation" in India. He was also widely known as "Bapu," a Gujarati term of endearment for "father" or "papa," reflecting the deep affection and reverence felt by millions for this extraordinary leader.

Frequently Asked Questions about Mahatma Gandhi

Who was Mahatma Gandhi?

Mahatma Gandhi was an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist, and political ethicist who led India to independence from British rule using nonviolent resistance (Satyagraha).

When and where was he born?

He was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, Gujarat, British India.

What is he most famous for?

Gandhi is most famous for his philosophy of nonviolent resistance, which was instrumental in achieving India's independence, and for inspiring civil rights movements worldwide. Key actions include the Dandi Salt March and the Quit India Movement.

What does "Mahatma" mean?

"Mahatma" is a Sanskrit honorific meaning "great-souled" or "venerable."

When did he live in South Africa, and why was it significant?

He lived in South Africa for 21 years (1893-1914), where he first developed and employed his methods of nonviolent resistance in a campaign for civil rights against racial discrimination.

How did India gain independence under his leadership?

Under Gandhi's leadership of the Indian National Congress, India pursued independence through mass nonviolent civil disobedience, including boycotts, protests like the Dandi Salt March, and the Quit India Movement, which ultimately pressured the British to leave.

How and when did Mahatma Gandhi die?

Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated on January 30, 1948, in Delhi, by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu nationalist, who shot him during an inter-faith prayer meeting.

What is Gandhi Jayanti?

Gandhi Jayanti is a national holiday in India celebrated on October 2nd, his birthday. It is also observed globally as the International Day of Nonviolence.

Is he considered the "Father of the Nation" in India?

Yes, he is commonly, though not formally, considered the "Father of the Nation" in India, and was affectionately called "Bapu" (father).