Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948)

 Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, popularly 

known as Mahatma Gandhi, was an Indian lawyer, politician, and social activist who played a crucial role in India's struggle for independence from British rule. Born on 2nd October 1869 in Porbandar, Gujarat, Gandhi was the youngest of four children. His father, Karamchand Gandhi, was a local politician and his mother, Putlibai, was a deeply religious woman.

Gandhi grew up in a traditional Hindu family and received his primary education at home. He was a shy and introverted child, but he was also curious and had a deep sense of justice. In 1887, he enrolled at Samaldas College in Bhavnagar, where he studied law. After completing his studies, Gandhi moved to London to study law at University College London.

In London, Gandhi was exposed to western ideas and culture, and he also experienced racial discrimination. These experiences had a profound impact on him and shaped his philosophy of non-violent resistance. In 1891, Gandhi returned to India and began practicing law in Bombay. However, he was not successful as a lawyer and struggled to find clients.

In 1893, Gandhi was offered a job in South Africa by an Indian merchant named Dada Abdullah. Gandhi moved to South Africa and worked as a legal adviser to Indian traders and workers. In South Africa, Gandhi experienced racism and discrimination, and he became involved in the struggle for the rights of Indians living there. Gandhi's activism in South Africa laid the foundation for his future role as a leader in India's struggle for independence.

In 1915, Gandhi returned to India and became involved in the Indian National Congress, a political party that was fighting for India's independence from British rule. Gandhi's philosophy of non-violent resistance, which he called Satyagraha, became the cornerstone of the Indian independence movement. Satyagraha was based on the principles of truth, non-violence, and civil disobedience. Gandhi believed that non-violent resistance was a powerful weapon against oppression and that it could be used to challenge unjust laws and policies.

Gandhi's first major Satyagraha campaign in India was the Champaran Satyagraha in 1917. The campaign was aimed at protesting against the indigo plantation system in Champaran, Bihar. The British authorities had imposed high taxes on indigo farmers, and they were forced to grow indigo instead of food crops. The farmers were also forced to sell their crops to the British planters at a fixed price. Gandhi led a peaceful protest against these injustices, and the campaign was successful in securing concessions for the farmers.

In 1919, Gandhi launched the Khilafat Movement, which aimed to unite Hindus and Muslims in India against British rule. The movement was in support of the Ottoman Empire, which had been defeated in World War I. The Ottoman Empire was the spiritual leader of the Islamic world, and the movement aimed to protect the rights of Muslims in India.

In 1920, Gandhi launched the Non-Cooperation Movement, which called for a boycott of British goods, institutions, and courts. The movement was aimed at forcing the British government to grant India independence. The movement was peaceful and non-violent, but it was also highly effective. It forced the British government to make significant concessions, such as granting greater autonomy to Indian provinces and releasing political prisoners.

In 1930, Gandhi launched the Salt Satyagraha, which was aimed at protesting against the British salt tax. The British government had imposed a tax on salt, which was a staple item in Indian households. Gandhi led a peaceful march to the Arabian Sea, where he and his followers made their own salt by evaporating seawater.