Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi was an Indian leader who fought for independence. He was born in Porbandar, India, in 1869. He led India's struggle for freedom from British rule. He believed in nonviolence and peaceful protest.

Early Life

Gandhi was a shy boy who was afraid of the dark. He studied law in London, England. He then moved to South Africa, where he experienced racism. This inspired him to fight for justice.

A studio photograph of Mahatma Gandhi taken in London in 1931.
A studio photograph of Mahatma Gandhi taken in London in 1931. (Elliott & Fry / Wikimedia Commons)

Big Achievements

Gandhi returned to India and led the independence movement. He organized boycotts and peaceful protests. His Salt March in 1930 was a famous act of nonviolent resistance. India gained independence in 1947. He is called the Father of the Nation in India.

Fun Facts

  • Gandhi was called Mahatma, which means great soul.
  • He spun his own cloth on a spinning wheel every day.
  • He walked about 18 kilometers a day, totaling over 79,000 kilometers in his lifetime.

Did You Know?

Gandhi's ideas about nonviolent protest inspired many other leaders, including Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela. He showed the world that peaceful resistance can be more powerful than violence.