Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi, born Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, was an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist, and political ethicist who led India’s independence movement against British rule through nonviolent resistance.

Mahatma Gandhi, born Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, was an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist, and political ethicist who led India’s independence movement against British rule through nonviolent resistance. He is widely known for developing and promoting satyagraha, a philosophy of peaceful civil disobedience, and for his influence on civil rights and freedom movements worldwide. His philosophy of nonviolent civil disobedience influenced global human-rights and protest movements, including activists and institutions studied in Canada’s history and civics education.

Early life and education

Gandhi was born on 2 October 1869 in Porbandar, Kathiawar, India. He studied law in Britain and later worked in South Africa, where he became involved in civil rights advocacy for the Indian community. These early experiences shaped his political and ethical views.

Leadership in India

After returning to India, Gandhi emerged as a leading figure in the struggle against British colonial rule. He organized mass campaigns of nonviolent protest, including the Non-Cooperation Movement, the Salt March, and the Quit India Movement, which mobilized millions of Indians.

Nonviolent philosophy

Gandhi’s method of satyagraha emphasized truth and nonviolent resistance as both a political strategy and a moral philosophy. This approach became central to his public life and later inspired movements for civil rights and decolonization, influencing leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela.

Death and legacy

Gandhi was assassinated on 30 January 1948 in Delhi by Nathuram Godse while on his way to an evening prayer meeting. He is widely referred to as the 'Father of the Nation' in India and remains a highly influential figure in modern political thought and anti-colonial history.