Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi — universally remembered as Mahatma Gandhi — is one of the twentieth century’s most influential figures.
A barrister turned political leader, Gandhi steered India’s struggle for independence through a moral vision built on simplicity, truth, and nonviolent resistance (Satyagraha).
His life stretched from humble beginnings in Porbandar to global stages where his ideas inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across continents. This biography traces his life, core beliefs, major campaigns, controversies, and enduring legacy.
Profile
- Full Name: Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
- Stage Name / Honorific: Mahatma Gandhi (honorific — “Mahatma” meaning “great soul”)
- Born: October 2, 1869
- Died / Age at death: January 30, 1948 (aged 78)
- Birthplace: Porbandar, Kathiawar (now in Gujarat), British India
- Nationality: Indian
- Occupation: Lawyer, political leader, social reformer, author
- Religion: Hinduism (influenced by Jainism, Christianity, Islam and other traditions)
- Parents: Karamchand Uttamchand Gandhi and Putlibai Gandhi
- Spouse: Kasturba Gandhi (m. 1883–1944)
- Children: Harilal, Manilal, Ramdas, Devdas
Early Life and Formative Years
Mohandas Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, a coastal town in what is now Gujarat, India. Raised in a devout Hindu household, his mother, Putlibai, deeply influenced his practice of self-discipline and religious tolerance. At age 13 he entered into an arranged marriage with Kasturba Makhanji; their marriage lasted until Kasturba’s death in 1944 and produced four sons.
Gandhi traveled to London in 1888 to study law at the Inner Temple, where he was exposed to Western ideas and learned English law. Although academically unremarkable as a student, he was a curious reader and developed an interest in ethics, literature, and world religions — influences that later shaped his political philosophy.
South Africa: The Crucible of Activism
Gandhi’s experiences in South Africa (1893–1914) were decisive. As a young lawyer, he faced racist laws and social humiliation, including incidents that publicly marked him as an outsider. These injustices pushed him toward organized activism. There he developed and refined nonviolent resistance as a method — initially to defend the rights of the Indian diaspora but ultimately as a tool for mass social change. The campaigns in South Africa taught Gandhi how to organize, communicate, and mobilize grassroots supporters — lessons he would later carry into the Indian independence movement.
Return to India and Rise as a National Leader
Gandhi returned to India in 1915 and soon became involved in efforts to improve villagers’ lives, reform social practices, and address communal tensions. He combined grassroots social work with political mobilization. Key early campaigns included protests for peasants’ rights in Champaran (1917) and Kheda (1918). Gandhi’s approach blended moral persuasion, noncooperation, and strategic civil disobedience — a stark contrast to armed rebellion.
Core Philosophy: Satyagraha and Ahimsa
Two terms are central to understanding Gandhi: Satyagraha (insistence on truth) and Ahimsa (nonviolence). Satyagraha is both a moral stance and an active political method: protesters refuse to obey unjust laws while accepting the legal consequences of their actions without violence. For Gandhi, nonviolence was not mere passivity but a dynamic force requiring courage, discipline, and self-sacrifice. He believed the means must reflect the ends — that moral behavior in struggle strengthens the moral claim for justice.
Major Campaigns and Tactics
Gandhi led several high-profile movements that defined India’s path to independence:
- Non-Cooperation Movement (1920–1922): Mobilized millions in boycotts of British institutions, promoting Indian-made goods and resignations from colonial posts.
- Salt March / Civil Disobedience (1930): In a 240-mile march to Dandi, Gandhi symbolically defied the British salt tax. The campaign ignited widespread civil disobedience across India.
- Quit India Movement (1942): A mass call demanding immediate British withdrawal from India. The British responded with arrests and repression, including detaining Gandhi and other leaders.
Throughout these campaigns, Gandhi advocated decentralized organization (village-level self-sufficiency), emphasis on spinning khadi (homespun cloth), and constructive work to uplift the poor.
Relationship with Other Leaders and Controversies
Gandhi’s relationships with contemporaries — including Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and Subhas Chandra Bose — were complex. He united many under the banner of nonviolent resistance but also faced criticism. Some nationalists argued his methods were too slow or idealistic. Others criticized his views on caste, his handling of some communal tensions between Hindus and Muslims, and his stance during certain events. Over time, Gandhi engaged with critics and evolved on several social issues, but debates about tactics and leadership style persisted.
Role in Partition and Final Years
India’s independence in August 1947 also brought partition and widespread communal violence between Hindus and Muslims. Gandhi was devastated by the bloodshed and spent his final months working to calm communal tensions, fasts, and appeals for peace. On January 30, 1948, Gandhi was assassinated in New Delhi by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu nationalist who opposed Gandhi’s perceived softness toward Muslims. India mourned deeply; Gandhi’s death marked the end of an era but not the end of his influence.
Legacy: Global Influence & Moral Example
Gandhi’s life inspired civil rights leaders worldwide. His philosophy influenced leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, and others who used nonviolent resistance in their own struggles. Beyond politics, Gandhi’s emphasis on simple living, ethical consistency, religious pluralism, and community self-reliance continues to inspire activists, thinkers, and ordinary citizens.
Gandhi’s legacy is multifaceted: moral teacher, political strategist, social reformer, and contested historical figure whose principles still spark conversation about justice, means, and ends.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is Mohandas Gandhi called “Mahatma”?
“Mahatma” means “great soul.” The honorific was widely used by contemporaries and admirers to acknowledge his moral authority and spiritual leadership.
What is Satyagraha?
Satyagraha is Gandhi’s concept of nonviolent resistance grounded in truth and moral force. It calls for passive resistance to unjust laws while maintaining personal integrity and nonviolence.
Did Gandhi favor an armed struggle against the British?
No. Gandhi consistently advocated nonviolent methods. He believed violent means would corrupt the ends and deepen cycles of oppression.
What were Gandhi’s most famous campaigns?
Key campaigns include the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920), the Salt March/Civil Disobedience Campaign (1930), and the Quit India Movement (1942).
How did Gandhi die?
He was assassinated on January 30, 1948, in New Delhi by Nathuram Godse.
Is Gandhi still relevant today?
Yes. His ideas about nonviolence, civil disobedience, and ethical leadership continue to inform social movements and debates around moral politics worldwide.
Conclusion
Mahatma Gandhi lived a life of paradoxes: a lawyer who became a spiritual-political leader; a man of deep personal simplicity who operated on the world stage. His insistence that ethical means matter as much as ends shaped a global language of protest and conscience. While criticized and humanly imperfect, Gandhi’s core message — that ordinary people can resist injustice without becoming unjust themselves — remains a powerful beacon. Whether as history or moral inspiration, Gandhi’s legacy endures: a reminder that change rooted in truth and nonviolence can ripple far beyond a single lifetime.