Birth: October 2, 1869, Porbandar, India
Death: Assassinated by a Hindu fanatic, January 30, 1948, Delhi, India
Early Influences:
- Mother's religion was Jainism which espoused non-violence
- Father was a Chief Minister in Porbandar
- Married at age 13 to Kasturbai Makanji
- Faced racial discrimination in South Africa while practicing law
Education:
- Studied law in London
- Called to the bar in 1891
- While in London, came into contact with people of many other cultures and religions
Major Accomplishments:
- Developed satyagraha or nonviolent resistance while in South Africa
- Dominant figure in the Indian National Congress after 1922
- Worked to improve the conditions of the Untouchables which he called harijans or 'Children of God'
- His nonviolent tactics were a major force leading to India's independence from Britain in 1947
Significance:
- Became the leader of a Nonviolent movement to free India
- Became known as Mahatma or 'The Great Soul'.
- Fought for peace between Hindus and Muslims throughout India
- Became a symbol of nonviolence for the world at large
- His tactics were later adopted and used by Martin Luther King, Jr. to gain equality for African-Americans
Contemporaries:
- Jawaharlal Nehru - First Prime Minister of India
- Muhammad Ali Jinnah - First Prime Minister of Pakistan
- George VI - King of Great Britain
