Mahatma Gandhi

also known as Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, was an Indian nationalist leader who
played a significant role in the Indian independence movement. He was born on
October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, a coastal town in present-day Gujarat, India.

Gandhi's family belonged to the Vaishya (merchant) caste, and his father served as
the chief minister of Porbandar. As a child, Gandhi was a shy and introverted
student who struggled with public speaking. He attended school in Porbandar and
later in Rajkot, where he excelled in academics and studied law in London.

After completing his studies, Gandhi returned to India and began his career as a
lawyer in Bombay. However, he soon became involved in the Indian nationalist
movement and began advocating for India's independence from British colonial rule.
He became a leader of the Indian National Congress and began using nonviolent civil
disobedience as a tool to bring about change.

Gandhi's philosophy of nonviolence, which he called satyagraha, became a

cornerstone of the Indian independence movement. He organized numerous protests and
movements, including the famous Salt March of 1930, which was a nonviolent protest
against the British salt tax.

Gandhi was also an advocate for social justice and worked to end discrimination
against untouchables (Dalits) and women in India. He was assassinated on January
30, 1948, by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu nationalist who disagreed with Gandhi's
policies of nonviolence and religious tolerance.

Gandhi's legacy continues to influence Indian politics and society to this day. He
is widely regarded as one of the most important figures of the 20th century and is
often referred to as the "Father of the Nation" in India.