Mahatma Gandhi, born Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, Gujarat, India, was a prominent leader in the Indian independence movement against British colonial rule. He is revered as a key figure in the history of India for his role in advocating nonviolent civil disobedience.

Gandhi’s philosophy of nonviolence, known as “Satyagraha,” emphasized the power of truth and the moral force of love. He believed in achieving social and political change through peaceful means, encouraging people to resist injustice without resorting to violence. His approach influenced many other civil rights movements around the world.

Some key points about Mahatma Gandhi include:

  1. Early Life and Education: Gandhi was born into a Hindu family and studied law in London. He later worked as a lawyer in South Africa, where he first became involved in civil rights activism.
  2. South Africa Activism: Gandhi’s activism began in South Africa, where he fought against discriminatory laws targeting the Indian community. His experiences in South Africa greatly influenced his later philosophy of nonviolent resistance.
  3. Return to India: Gandhi returned to India in 1915 and became a leader in the Indian National Congress, advocating for independence from British rule.
  4. Nonviolent Resistance: Gandhi’s nonviolent resistance campaigns included the famous Salt March in 1930, where he and a group of followers walked over 240 miles to the Arabian Sea to protest the British salt monopoly.
  5. Quit India Movement: During World War II, Gandhi launched the Quit India Movement in 1942, calling for an end to British rule in India. This movement marked a significant step toward independence.
  6. Independence and Partition: India gained independence on August 15, 1947. However, the country was also divided into two separate nations, India and Pakistan, leading to communal violence and mass migrations.
  7. Assassination: Tragically, Gandhi’s life was cut short when he was assassinated on January 30, 1948, by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu nationalist who opposed Gandhi’s tolerance towards Muslims.

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