Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi Biography

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (October 2, 1869 – January 30, 1948), widely known as Mahatma Gandhi, was an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist, and political ethicist who led India's nonviolent resistance movement against British colonial rule. Born in Porbandar, Gujarat, Gandhi was deeply influenced by his mother's devotion to Vaishnavism and Jainism, instilling in him principles of nonviolence and tolerance from a young age.

In 1888, Gandhi traveled to London to study law at the Inner Temple. After qualifying as a barrister, he returned to India but struggled to establish a practice. In 1893, he accepted a position in South Africa, where he spent 21 years opposing discriminatory legislation against Indians. It was here that he developed his philosophy of Satyagraha, or nonviolent resistance.

Returning to India in 1915, Gandhi became a leading figure in the Indian National Congress, advocating for swaraj (self-rule). He organized nationwide campaigns to alleviate poverty, expand women's rights, and build religious harmony. Notably, his leadership during the 1930 Salt March challenged the British-imposed salt tax, and the 1942 Quit India Movement demanded an end to British rule.

Gandhi's commitment to nonviolence and civil disobedience inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. However, his vision of a unified India was challenged by rising sectarian tensions, leading to the partition of India in 1947. On January 30, 1948, Gandhi was assassinated in New Delhi by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu nationalist who opposed his tolerance towards Muslims.

Trivia About Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

• The honorific Mahatma, meaning 'great-souled', was first applied to him in South Africa in 1914.
• Gandhi's birthday, October 2nd, is commemorated as the International Day of Non-Violence.
• He was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize five times but never received it.
• Gandhi corresponded with notable figures like Leo Tolstoy, with whom he shared a deep philosophical connection.

Famous Quotes by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

• "Be the change that you wish to see in the world."
• "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."
• "An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind."

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi?

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, known as Mahatma Gandhi, was an Indian leader who championed nonviolent resistance to lead India to independence from British rule.

What is Satyagraha?

Satyagraha is a philosophy and practice of nonviolent resistance developed by Gandhi, emphasizing truth and civil disobedience as tools for social and political change.

How did Gandhi influence global civil rights movements?

Gandhi's principles of nonviolence and civil disobedience inspired global leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela in their struggles for civil rights and freedom.

Related Literary Movements

Gandhi's writings and speeches contributed to literature on nonviolence, civil disobedience, and anti-colonialism, influencing global discourses on peace and human rights.

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