Mahatma Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (aka Mahatma Gandhi) was an Indian spiritual/political leader who was highly instrumental in leading India to independence from British rule in 1947. His now famous philosophy of non-violent resistance was emulated by Martin Luther King Jr. during the American civil rights movement. Gandhi was assassinated in 1948 by a religious fundamentalist.
Fast Facts
- Born: October 2, 1869
- Pioneer of Satyagraha
- Trained as a lawyer
- Former Indian National Congress leader
- Led Dandi Salt March
- Vegetarian
- Death: January 30, 1948
Background
In May of 1883, 13-year-old Gandhi entered an arranged marriage to Kasturba Makhanji. Five years later, he left India to study law at University College London. During his time in India, he became a vocal advocate for vegetarianism and became fascinated by world religions. Upon his return to India, he set up a law office in Bombay. In 1893, he accepted a post in South Africa and lived there until 1915, often facing cruel and brutal anti-Indian discrimination.
Indian Independence
Upon his return to India, Gandhi opened an ashram, sort of a spiritually-focused commune, in the town of Kheda. He started local efforts to build up and improve the desperately poor nearby villages whom he saw suffering under British oppression. He gained national prominence after being arrested by the British and banished from the area.
Gandhi was named the leader of the Indian National Congress in 1921. From this position, he introduced his philosophy of non-cooperation and peaceful resistance, including a boycott of all British imported goods.
After Nazi Germany declared war on England in 1939, Gandhi announced that India should not fight a war for British freedom while that same freedom was denied to them, utilizing the slogan "Quit India!" He was arrested on August 9, 1942 and kept in prison for 2 years. Upon his release in May 6, 1944, after suffering severe illnesses while in prison, the British announced their intention to turn India over to the Indian people, and Gandhi called off his protests.
Assassination
He was assassinated four years later, on January 30, 1948, by Hindu radical Nathuram Godse. Godse and a co-conspirator were executed for the crime on November 15, 1949.
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