Indian Independence & Gandhi

• India was formerly ruled by the British (people of Great Britain), who sought to keep the country poor and backward.
• Indians were unhappy with British rule, leading many to fight for freedom.
• Some Indians laid down their lives for freedom.
• India gained independence on August 15, 1947, celebrated annually as Independence Day.
• Leaders who helped India become an independent country are remembered on this day.

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

• Fondly called Bapu, meaning father.
• Born on October 2, 1869.
• Worked as a lawyer in South Africa before returning to India in 1915.
• Traveled across the country and witnessed the unjust rule of the British.
• Decided to fight the British.
• Used truth and non-violence as weapons in the fight against the British.
• Fought the British using truth and non-violence, a method called satyagraha.
• Led many peaceful satyagrahas or protest movements that involved peaceful marches.
• Protesters disobeyed British laws, refused to buy or sell British goods, and refused to work in British-run offices.
• Imprisoned multiple times by the British.
• Message: "An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind."

Vallabhbhai Patel

• Fondly called Sardar, meaning leader.
• Born on October 31, 1875.
• Successful lawyer who became a follower of Gandhi and joined the freedom struggle.
• Organized satyagrahas in Gujarat where peasants peacefully protested and refused to pay taxes.
• Due to the protests, the British government was forced to reduce taxes.
• Imprisoned multiple times and later became an important minister in independent India.

Sarojini Naidu

• Called the 'Nightingale of India' for her poetry.
• Born on February 13, 1879.
• Studied in London and upon returning to India, joined the freedom struggle.
• A follower of Mahatma Gandhi who participated in satyagrahas and went to jail.
• Traveled across India to encourage people, especially women, to join the freedom struggle.
• Wrote poems on nature and love for country.
• Author of "The Broken Wing."
• Remembered as one of the great women leaders.
• Message: "It is your pride that you are an Indian."

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru

• Fondly called Chacha Nehru.
• Born on November 14, 1889.
• A lawyer who gave up his practice to join India’s freedom movement.
• A follower of Mahatma Gandhi who participated in many satyagrahas and went to jail.
• Wrote "The Discovery of India" while in jail.
• Became the first Prime Minister of independent India.