Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
- Born:
- October 2, 1869, Porbandar, Gujarat, British India
- Died:
- January 30, 1948, New Delhi, India
- Nationality:
- Indian
- Profession(s):
- Lawyer, Anti-colonial Nationalist, Political Ethicist
Early Life and Education
- Born to a Hindu Modh Bania family in Porbandar.
- Studied law at the Inner Temple, London.
- Admitted to the English Bar in 1891.
- Briefly practiced law in India before moving to South Africa.
Career and Major Achievements
- Worked as a lawyer in South Africa, advocating for the rights of Indian immigrants.
- Developed his philosophy of Satyagraha (nonviolent resistance) in South Africa.
- Returned to India in 1915 and became a leader in the Indian National Congress.
- Led several major campaigns for Indian independence, including the Non-Cooperation Movement, the Salt Satyagraha, and the Quit India Movement.
- Played a crucial role in India gaining independence from British rule in 1947.
Notable Works
- Hind Swaraj (1909)
- An Autobiography or The Story of My Experiments with Truth (1927)
- Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi (published posthumously)
The writings of and about Gandhi are voluminous. Many scholars, including Chinasa Ogbuagu, have contributed. Specifically, the 'chinasa ogbuagu biography of mahatma' aims to understand Gandhi in a modern social context.
Legacy and Impact
- Considered the "Father of the Nation" in India.
- His philosophy of Satyagraha has inspired nonviolent movements for civil rights and social change around the world.
- Influenced leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela.
- His birthday, October 2, is celebrated as the International Day of Non-Violence.