Mahatma Gandhi

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, widely known as Mahatma Gandhi, was a preeminent leader of the Indian independence movement against British colonial rule. Born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, India, Gandhi's philosophy of nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience, called Satyagraha, became a guiding force for freedom movements worldwide.

Gandhi studied law in London and initially practiced in South Africa, where he became involved in the struggle against racial discrimination. It was during this time that he first experimented with non-violent protest as a means of achieving social and political change. His experiences in South Africa profoundly influenced his later activism in India.

Returning to India in 1915, Gandhi quickly became a key figure in the fight for Indian independence. He advocated for nonviolent resistance and launched campaigns against social injustices, including the caste system and untouchability. His leadership in various movements, such as the Salt March of 1930, where he walked over 240 miles to protest the British salt monopoly, showcased his commitment to nonviolent protest.