Indian politician and leader Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (Porbandar, October 2, 1869 - Delhi, January 30, 1948), known as Mahatma, meaning "great soul" in Sanskrit, fought for India's independence by non-violent means.
After completing his law studies in London, he worked as a lawyer in Bombay and in South Africa, where he campaigned for the rights of the Indians living there. When he finished his work in South Africa, he returned to India, and became actively involved in politics. He became the leader of the struggle for Indian independence and transformed the Indian National Congress into a powerful mass organization, introducing new methods in the struggle for India's liberation from Britain. He promoted nonviolent methods of civil disobedience through passive resistance to British rule.
In 1934 Gandhi officially left politics and devoted himself to traveling around India, but returned to active political life in 1939. India's struggle for independence reached its final phase in 1944. India and Pakistan became separate states in 1948 when Britain recognized India's independence.
Gandhi's teachings, messages of nonviolence and hunger strikes became an inspiration for nonviolent movements in other parts of the world. Mahatma Gandhi was shot dead by Hindu traditionalist Nathuram Godse on January 30, 1948 for believing he was offending Indian tradition and religion.
(Željka Šaravanja)
