Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
- Born:
- October 2, 1869, Porbandar, Kathiawar Agency, British India
- Died:
- January 30, 1948, New Delhi, India
- Nationality:
- Indian
- Profession(s):
- Lawyer, Anti-Colonial Nationalist, Political Ethicist
Early Life and Education
- Born into a Gujarati Hindu Modh Bania family.
- Father, Karamchand Gandhi, served as the Diwan (Chief Minister) of Porbandar state.
- Mother, Putlibai, was deeply religious.
- Studied law at Inner Temple, London.
- Admitted to the English Bar in 1891.
Career and Major Achievements
- Practiced law in South Africa, where he experienced racial discrimination.
- Developed his philosophy of Satyagraha (non-violent resistance) in South Africa.
- Returned to India in 1915 and became a leader in the Indian nationalist movement.
- Led several major campaigns, including the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922) and the Salt Satyagraha (1930).
- Advocated for Indian independence from British rule.
- Played a crucial role in India's independence in 1947.
Notable Works
- Hind Swaraj (1909)
- The Story of My Experiments with Truth (Autobiography)
- Writings published in Young India and Harijan newspapers.
Legacy and Impact
Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy of non-violent resistance has inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. His commitment to social justice and equality continues to be relevant today. The examination of primary source documents, such as might be found in a work focusing on 'patrick morrissey wv biography of mahatma gandhi', helps further understanding of his impact.