Mahatma Gandhi: Life and Impact

Gandhi's Life and Impact

• Mohandas Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, in Porvinder, India, to a wealthy family.
• He married at the age of 13 in an arranged marriage, as was customary in India at the time.
• Gandhi went to college in London, England, where he studied law and became a vegetarian.
• He began his career as a lawyer in South Africa, where he faced discrimination and mistreatment due to his Indian identity.
• An example of the discrimination he faced was being denied access to the first-class section of a train due to his skin color.

Non-Violent Protests and Satyagraha

• Gandhi developed the idea of non-violent protests, or satyagraha, which means firmness in truth, during his time in South Africa.
• He used tactics like passive resistance and civil disobedience to protest against injustice, believing that all people are equal and children of God.
• Gandhi helped bring about important changes to the laws in South Africa, including recognizing Indian marriages as legitimate and abolishing taxes only applicable to Indians.

Return to India and Fight for Independence

• In 1914, Gandhi returned to India as a hero, earning the title Mahatma, meaning Great Soul.
• Starting around 1918, Gandhi became the leading figure in protesting against Great Britain's presence in India, advocating for India's independence.
• He published the Declaration of Independence of India in 1930 and led the Salt March protest, which opposed a law requiring India to buy salt only from Great Britain.

Methods of Protesting and Death

• Gandhi and his supporters protested many injustices using non-violent methods such as hunger strikes, refusal to work, sit-downs, boycotts, meditation, and prayer.
• Unfortunately, Gandhi was shot and killed on January 30, 1948, by someone who believed Muslims and Hindus should not work or live together.
• His death led to peace between the two religious groups in the region.

Legacy and Influence

• Gandhi's belief in non-violence was influential for civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela.
• His legacy continues to inspire people around the world to stand up for what is right, even in the face of adversity.