(Mohandas Karamchand) Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869 in Porbandar, India. He became one of
the most respected spiritual and political leaders of the 1900's. Gandhi helped free the Indian
people from British rule through nonviolent resistance, and is honored by his people as the
father of the Indian Nation. The Indian people called Gandhi Mahatma, meaning Great Soul.
At age 13, Gandhi joined Kasturba, age 12, in a marriage arranged by their parents. The Gandhis
had four sons: Harilal and Manilal, born in India, and Ramdas and Devdas born in South Africa.
While Gandhi displayed loving kindness to everyone else, he was quite demanding and severe with
his wife and sons. Use the links below to learn more about Gandhi's relationship with his family
.
Gandhi studied law in London and returned to India in 1891 to practice. In 1893 he accepted a one
year contract to do legal work in South Africa. At the time South Africa was controlled by the
British. When he attempted to claim his rights as a British subject he was abused, and soon saw
that all Indians suffered similar treatment. Gandhi stayed in South Africa for 21 years working
to secure rights for Indian people. He developed a method of direct social action based upon the
principles courage, nonviolence and truth called Satyagraha. He believed that the way people
behave is more important than what they achieve. Satyagraha promoted nonviolence and civil
disobedience as the most appropriate methods for obtaining political and social goals.
In 1915 Gandhi returned to India. Within 15 years he became the leader of the Indian nationalist
movement. Using the tenets of Satyagraha he lead the campaign for Indian independence from
Britain. Gandhi was arrested many times by the British for his activities in South Africa and
India. He believed it was honorable to go to jail for a just cause. Altogether he spent seven
years in prison for his political activities. More than once Gandhi used fasting to impress upon others the need to be nonviolent.
India was granted independence in 1947, and partitioned into India and Pakistan. Rioting between
Hindus and Muslims followed. Gandhi had been an advocate for a united India where Hindus and
Muslims lived together in peace. On January 13, 1948, at the age of 78, he began a fast with the
purpose of stopping the bloodshed. After 5 days the opposing leaders pledged to stop the
fighting and Gandhi broke his fast. Twelve days later he was assassinated by a Hindu fanatic who
opposed his program of tolerance for all creeds and religion.
(Mohandas Karamchand) Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869 in Porbandar, India. He became one of
the most respected spiritual and political leaders of the 1900's. Gandhi helped free the Indian
people from British rule through nonviolent resistance, and is honored by his people as the
father of the Indian Nation. The Indian people called Gandhi Mahatma, meaning Great Soul.
At age 13, Gandhi joined Kasturba, age 12, in a marriage arranged by their parents. The Gandhis
had four sons: Harilal and Manilal, born in India, and Ramdas and Devdas born in South Africa.
While Gandhi displayed loving kindness to everyone else, he was quite demanding and severe with
his wife and sons. Use the links below to learn more about Gandhi's relationship with his family
.
Gandhi studied law in London and returned to India in 1891 to practice. In 1893 he accepted a one
year contract to do legal work in South Africa. At the time South Africa was controlled by the
British. When he attempted to claim his rights as a British subject he was abused, and soon saw
that all Indians suffered similar treatment. Gandhi stayed in South Africa for 21 years working
to secure rights for Indian people. He developed a method of direct social action based upon the
principles courage, nonviolence and truth called Satyagraha. He believed that the way people
behave is more important than what they achieve. Satyagraha promoted nonviolence and civil
disobedience as the most appropriate methods for obtaining political and social goals.
In 1915 Gandhi returned to India. Within 15 years he became the leader of the Indian nationalist
movement. Using the tenets of Satyagraha he lead the campaign for Indian independence from
Britain. Gandhi was arrested many times by the British for his activities in South Africa and
India. He believed it was honorable to go to jail for a just cause. Altogether he spent seven
years in prison for his political activities. More than once Gandhi used fasting to impress upon others the need to be nonviolent.
India was granted independence in 1947, and partitioned into India and Pakistan. Rioting between
Hindus and Muslims followed. Gandhi had been an advocate for a united India where Hindus and
Muslims lived together in peace. On January 13, 1948, at the age of 78, he began a fast with the
purpose of stopping the bloodshed. After 5 days the opposing leaders pledged to stop the
fighting and Gandhi broke his fast. Twelve days later he was assassinated by a Hindu fanatic who
opposed his program of tolerance for all creeds and religion.
