Mahatma Gandhi 2025: India’s Freedom Fighter and the Global Icon of Non-violence

Mahatma Gandhi was born on 2nd October, 1869 in Porbandar, Gujarat, India. He was one of the most powerful leaders who ever lived. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, as he was known before he adopted the title of ‘mahatma’ became the most prominent face in the struggle of Indian independence from the British rule, famous for his unwavering commitment to Ahimsa and Satyagraha. Non-violence is the most potent form of self-sufficing political action. In Today’s world, Mahatma Gandhi is remembered as a moral leader, not just for the Indian subcontinent, but across the globe for his stand against violence and social discrimination.

Personal Life and Schooling

Gandhi was raised in a traditional Indian household, with modest means. This played a fundamental role in developing his character. Karamchand Gandhi, his father, was the diwan or chief minister of a princely state of Porbandar. Gandhi’s family practiced Hinduism and belonged to the merchant class, known as vaishyas. His mother Putlibai was very religious and with her guidance, he grew up to be devoted and deeply spiritual.

Kasturaba, his lifelong partner, married Gandhi at the age of 13. During this time, marrying off the children at a young age was not unusual. However, young Gandhi was not a fan of this tradition and as an adult, saw it as a way to shape his self-restraint and self-improvement journey.

In 1888, Gandhi furthered his education by going to London where he studied law at University College London. This move was essential for his life as he was introduced to different Eastern philosophies and ideas that would aid him in crafting his nonviolence ideals and as a whole, social justice. He was particularly influenced in a positive manner from writers such as Henry David Thoreau, John Ruskin, and Leo Tolstoy as their writings had a strong impact on his ideology.

Gandhi’s Life Struggles in South Africa

In 1893, he first went to South Africa to work as a lawyer for an Indian merchant, but before that, Gandhi briefly went back to India after his legal studies. During this period, he came across some internalized forms of racial discrimination that opened his eyes to the reality of the world. South Africa’s racial disparities served as an ideal learning experience for Gandhi. With that being said, his comparative study in injustice and segregation in South Africa put him in a position to respond to such forms of repression.

Over the span of 21 years in South Africa, Gandhi constructed and perfected his philosophies of nonviolence which he named ‘Satyagraha’ later on. The core principles were deeply rooted in non violence and the social aspects of it focused on the use of truth, strengthening the argument for political change. While in South Africa, Gandhi became the face of many campaigns which focused on discrimination laws imposed on Indians. As a form of passive resistance, he integrated the use of strikes and protests into his movements, enabling the masses to be a part of it. His movements managed to persuade the South African government to nullify some of the racially discriminatory laws.

Return to India and the Struggle for Independence

When Gandhi came back to India in 1915, he very quickly emerged as the head of the Indian Congress National Committee (INC) which was a political party that participated in the struggle for independence from British rule in India. The British Empire had been colonizing India for generations, and in the process, they used Indian resources and people to build their economy. In fact, Gandhi saw the independence movement as a political fight that, once won, would also help end social problems such as caste discrimination and untouchability.

One of Gandhi’s first significant actions was the Champaran Satyagraha in 1917 in which he organized methods of civil resistance against British plantation owners in Bihar. This movement, and subsequent ones like it, garnered unprecedented success in opposing and ending British rule over India. Gandhi pioneered the use of fasting, peaceful protests, and non-cooperation to end British imperial dominance, ultimately leading to success.

The Salt March and the Philosophy of Nonviolence – Nonviolence as a strategy of resistance on Indian shores.

In 1930, Gandhi undertook one of his most popular endeavors, the Salt March (Dandi March), in response to the British monopoly of salt production. The British colonizers imposed a salt tax, which greatly affected the impoverished. For Gandhi, this was an emblem of British oppression. The 240 mile march from the Sabarmati Ashram to the coastal village of Dandi became a pivotal moment in the Indian independence movement.

The Salt March achieved widespread attention as it depicted Gandhi’s faith in the power of nonviolent civil disobedience to inspire change. The British government arrested thousands of protesters, including Gandhi, but the movement gained international attention and thickened the iron will of the Indians wanting Independence. It was a testimony of Gandhi’s ability to rally people for a cause without violence that further bolstered the image of a leader with unmatched moral credibility.

The Partition of India and Gandhi’s Battle for Unity

Gandhi, in the ending years of his life, was extremely pained because of the growing conflicts between Muslims and Hindus. He knew that the kinds of violence that could ensue were deeply troubling and as the leaders of the two communities kept on arguing about the boundaries, he knew that there was little that could be done to pacify the arguments. When the clashes worsened, he knew that Pakistan would have to be formed as a separate nation to help them find solace.

His beliefs about being against the partition of India stemmed from the violence that he anticipated would ensue because of its divisive nature. He knew that it would divide the country along religious lines which would lead to violence, so, he feverishly worked on the idea of promoting peace and religious tolerance.

Tens of millions of people were displaced resulting in the deaths of millions and there was gruesome violence around the world – in India, Pakistan, and around the world. India was declared partitioned in 1947 into two independent nations of India and Pakistan, and during this time the violence was at its peak and the needless destruction reached new heights. There was a period where he would go on fasts and appeal for the unification of these two communities, which enraged him into going on a fast to cut the bloodshed.

The pain and agony that he underwent as witnessed the demolition of humanity around him changed him forever. Sadly, all of his attempts in bringing peace were never achieved, and in the end, he had to pay the price with his life. He was killed by a Hindu nationalist, Nathuram Godse on January 30, 1948.

Mahatma Gandhi’s Legacy

Gandhi was assassinated leaving the world in disbelief. His core ideas motivated leaders and movements for generations even after his death. The most important of his philosophies, ‘ahimsa’ or ‘non violence’ still has a large impact on movements for civil rights around the globe. People like Martin Luther King Jr, Nelson Mandela, and Cesar Chavez were inspired by his teachings and took action against oppression, apartheid, and racial injustices.

Gandhi was more than a politician; he provided a new lens through which people could understand justice and human rights issues. He had faith that kindness and dialogue could resolve conflicts which is crucial in today’s world. His idea of celebrating his birthday on the second of October serves as a reminder of his teachings and is also known as the International Day of Non Violence.

Mahatma Gandhi’s vision for a civil society that lives in harmony with one another and nature stems from compassion, self discipline and a dedication to simplicity. This provides us invaluable lessons for modern society. Even though it has been over 70 years since his death, Gandhi still represents peace and hope and the everlasting idea that positive changes can come when we use non violent actions.

Conclusion

The life and works of Mahatma Gandhi speak of the efficacy of nonviolence, and Gandhi at the helm of Indian struggle for independence is what turned India into a nation. The impact he left on the world’s perspective of peaceful resistance was astonishing. In remembrance of his life, it is important to understand that even when the odds are heavily staked against you, the quest for justice and peace is a fight worth fighting.

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