Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi(/ndi,ændi/ˈɡɑːˈɡ;[3]GAHN-dee; 2 October 1869 – 30January 1948) was an Indian lawyer,[4]anti-colonial nationalist[5]andpolitical ethicist[6]whoemployednonviolent resistanceto lead the successfulcampaign for India's independencefromBritish rule,[7]and to later inspire movements forcivil rightsand freedom across the world. ThehonorificMahātmā(Sanskrit: "great-souled", "venerable"), first applied to him in 1914 in SouthAfrica, is now used throughout the world.[8][9]Born and raised in aHindufamily in coastalGujarat, Gandhi trained in the law at theInnerTemple, London, and wascalled to the barat age 22 in June 1891. After two uncertain years inIndia, where he was unable to start a successful law practice, he moved to South Africa in 1893to represent an Indian merchant in a lawsuit. He went on to live in South Africa for 21 years. Itwas here that Gandhi raised a family and first employed nonviolent resistance in a campaign forcivil rights. In 1915, aged 45, he returned to India and soon set about organising peasants,farmers, and urban labourers to protest against excessive land-tax and discrimination.Assuming leadership of theIndian National Congressin 1921, Gandhi led nationwide campaignsfor easing poverty, expanding women's rights, building religious and ethnic amity, endinguntouchability, and, above all, achievingswarajor self-rule.[10]Gandhi adopted the shortdhotiwoven withhand-spunyarn as a mark of identification with India's rural poor. He began to livein aself-sufficient residential community, to eat simple food, and undertakelong fastsas a meansof both introspection and political protest. Bringing anti-colonial nationalism to the commonIndians, Gandhi led them in challenging the British-imposed salt tax with the 400 km (250 mi)Dandi Salt Marchin 1930 and in calling for the British toquit Indiain 1942. He was imprisonedmany times and for many years in both South Africa and India.
