Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, commonly known as Mahatma Gandhi, was a preeminent leader of the Indian independence movement in British-ruled India. He was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, a coastal town in present-day Gujarat, India, and died on January 30, 1948, in New Delhi, India.

Gandhi was born into a Hindu family of the Vaishya (trading) caste. His father, Karamchand Gandhi, was the Diwan (chief minister) of Porbandar, and his mother, Putlibai, was a devout Hindu who instilled in him a strong sense of religion and ethics from an early age.

After completing his primary education in Porbandar, Gandhi went to England in 1888 to study law. He was admitted to the Inner Temple, one of the four Inns of Court in London, and was called to the bar in 1891. After returning to India, he set up a law practice in Bombay (now Mumbai) but met with little success.

In 1893, Gandhi was sent to South Africa by a client to assist with a lawsuit. It was there that he first encountered racial discrimination against Indians and other non-white people. He became active in the struggle for Indian rights in South Africa and eventually became the leader of the Indian community there. He developed the concept of Satyagraha, a nonviolent form of resistance to injustice, which he later used in India's struggle for independence.


Gandhi returned to India in 1915 and soon became a prominent leader in the Indian National Congress. He advocated for nonviolent civil disobedience as a means to achieve India's independence from British rule. He led several nonviolent campaigns and protests, including the Salt March in 1930, which was a pivotal moment in India's independence movement.

Despite being imprisoned multiple times by the British authorities, Gandhi remained committed to nonviolence and peaceful resistance. He also championed social reforms, including the abolition of untouchability and the promotion of women's rights.

After India gained independence in 1947, Gandhi worked to promote religious harmony between Hindus and Muslims. However, he was assassinated on January 30, 1948, by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu nationalist who disagreed with Gandhi's views on Hindu-Muslim unity.

Gandhi's legacy continues to inspire people around the world. He is remembered as a champion of human rights, nonviolence, and peace. His philosophy of Satyagraha and his commitment to social justice and equality continue to influence political movements and leaders worldwide.