Mahatma Gandhi: A Detailed Biography

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869–1948), known as Mahatma (“Great Soul”), led India to independence through non-violent resistance and inspired civil rights movements worldwide. His philosophy of satyagraha (truth-force) and ahimsa (non-violence) changed history. This biography traces his childhood, South African awakening, return to India, independence struggle, and tragic assassination, as documented by the Gandhi Heritage Portal, Encyclopaedia Britannica, and the Mahatma Gandhi Foundation.

Early Life and Education

Birth in Porbandar

Born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, Gujarat, Gandhi grew up in a devout Hindu family. At 13 he married Kasturba in an arranged child marriage. He studied law in London (1888–1891) and was called to the bar at the Inner Temple, as recorded by the UK National Archives.

South Africa and the Birth of Satyagraha (1893–1914)

Train Incident and Awakening

In 1893 Gandhi was thrown off a first-class train in Pietermaritzburg for being Indian. This humiliation sparked his fight against racial injustice. He developed satyagraha — non-violent resistance — leading campaigns against pass laws and racial discrimination, as detailed by the South African History Online.

Return to India and Leadership of Congress

Champaran, Kheda, and Non-Cooperation

Returning in 1915, Gandhi took over the Indian National Congress. His first campaigns were in Champaran (1917) for indigo farmers and Kheda (1918) for tax relief. The 1920–1922 Non-Cooperation Movement saw millions boycott British goods, courts, and schools, as chronicled by the UK National Archives.

Major Campaigns

Salt March (1930)

In March 1930, Gandhi led 78 followers on a 240-mile march to Dandi to make salt, breaking the British monopoly. Millions joined; over 60,000 were arrested. It became the most iconic act of civil disobedience in history, as preserved by the Gandhi Heritage Portal.

Quit India Movement (1942)

With the slogan “Do or Die,” Gandhi launched the final mass campaign. He and the entire Congress leadership were jailed, but the movement was brutally suppressed.

Partition and Independence

Gandhi opposed Partition but could not prevent it. When violence erupted between Hindus and Muslims in 1947, he fasted repeatedly for peace, walking through riot-torn villages barefoot. India gained independence on August 15, 1947, but Partition created Pakistan and killed over a million people, as documented by the BBC History.

Personal Life

Gandhi and Kasturba had four sons. He lived simply, wearing only a homespun dhoti, ate a vegetarian diet, and experimented with celibacy (brahmacharya) from age 36. His ashrams were open to all castes and religions.

Assassination

On January 30, 1948, while walking to evening prayers in New Delhi, Gandhi was shot three times by Hindu nationalist Nathuram Godse. His last words were “Hey Ram” (“Oh God”). The nation mourned; his funeral pyre drew millions, as recorded by the The Hindu Archives.

Death and Legacy

Mahatma Gandhi’s Enduring Impact

Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence inspired Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama, and countless others. October 2 (his birthday) is the International Day of Non-Violence. His image adorns Indian currency, and he remains the moral conscience of the world, as celebrated by the United Nations.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mahatma Gandhi

Why Is Mahatma Gandhi Famous?

For leading India to independence through non-violent resistance and inspiring global civil rights movements.

What Was the Salt March?

1930’s 240-mile march to defy the British salt tax — the most famous act of civil disobedience in history.

Where Was Mahatma Gandhi Born?

Porbandar, Gujarat, India, October 2, 1869.

What Does ‘Mahatma’ Mean?

“Great Soul” — title given by Rabindranath Tagore.

Did Gandhi Ever Win a Nobel Peace Prize?

No — nominated five times but never awarded; the committee later called it their greatest omission.

Why Was Gandhi Assassinated?

By Hindu nationalist Nathuram Godse, who blamed him for Partition and being too accommodating to Muslims.

How Did Mahatma Gandhi Die?

Shot on January 30, 1948, in New Delhi; last words “Hey Ram”.