Mahatma Gandhi, byname of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, (born October 2, 1896, Porbandar, Gujarat, India - died January 30, 1948, Delhi), was an Indian lawyer, politician, social activist, and writer who became the leader of the non- violent nationalist movement against the British rule of India. Gandhi grew up worshiping god Vishnu and following Jainism, a morally rigorous ancient Indian religion that espoused non-violence, fasting, meditation and vegetarianism.

He introduced the the idea of non- violent resistance called Satyagraha. After organising a civil disobedience movement in South Africa, he returned to India in 1915. In India, he set out on a train journey to different parts of the country trying to understand the problems of farmers, peasants and urban labourers and organising protests for them. He assumbed the leadership of Indian National Congress in 1921 and rose to become an iconic figure in Indian politics.

He organised the Dandi Salt March in 1930 and Quiet India Movement in 1942. He also worked for the upliftment of Untouchables and have them a new name 'Harijan' meaning children of God. Gandhi also wrote for various newspapers and his symbol of self-reliance - the spinning wheel - became a popular symbol of Indian Independence Movement. Gandhi played a key role in pacifying people and averting Hindu-Muslim riots as tensions rose before and after the partition of the country. He was shot dead by a fanatic, Nathuram Godse, on January 31, 1948.

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