Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, Gujarat. He belonged to a modest family and was deeply influenced by Jain values such as non-violence and truth. In 1888, he went to London to study law and became a barrister.
Gandhi moved to South Africa in 1893 to practice law. There, he faced racial discrimination, which deeply affected him. He began fighting for the rights of the Indian community and developed the idea of **Satyagraha**-a non-violent way of protesting injustice.
Gandhi returned to India in 1915 and soon became a leader in the Indian National Congress. He led several nationwide movements:
Gandhi believed in non-violence (Ahimsa), truth (Satya), self-discipline, and simple living. He promoted khadi (hand-spun cloth) and rural development to empower Indian villages. His principles influenced many global leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela.
India gained independence on August 15, 1947. Sadly, Gandhi's dream of a united India was shattered by Partition. On January 30, 1948, he was assassinated by Nathuram Godse in New Delhi while on his way to a prayer meeting.
Mahatma Gandhi is remembered as the "Father of the Nation" in India. His teachings continue to inspire peace movements around the world. His birthday, October 2, is observed as Gandhi Jayanti and also as the International Day of Non-Violence.