Mahatma Ghandi

The most prominent and influential figure during the Indian independence movement was arguably Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, also known as The Mahatma Gandhi or Bapu. Gandhi believed in striving for non-violence in every situation and advocated that all others follow him in his actions. Through completely passive protests and non-violent action, Gandhi….. The Mahatma accomplished many individual journeys, such as famously leading Indians in protesting the British-imposed salt tax with 250 mile Dandi Salt March in 1930. Through his civil disobedience, he was imprisoned for many years in both South Africa and India on many occasions. Gandhi has been an inspiration to millions of individuals throughout the world, including many famous human rights activists and political leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, and John Lennon. His beliefs strike well with ethnic minorities from anywhere on Earth, and his teachings have been the basis of followers’ lives for decades.

The Mahatma Gandhi was born on October 2nd, 1869 in a coastal town in what was then British India. According to many sources, the Indian classics, specifically the stories of Shravana and Maharaja Harishchandra, had played a large role in influencing Gandhi’s basic beliefs. In his autobiography, he admits that they left an indelible impression on his mind. He writes: "It haunted me and I must have acted Harishchandra to myself times without number." On 4 September 1888, Gandhi travelled to London, England. There, he was enrolled at the University College London where he studied Indian law and jurisprudence. He also became interested in religious thought at this point in time, and began to read both Hindu and Christian scriptures. After fail...

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...Gandhi had announced that the campaign was finally over, and although there was much blood spilled, the Indian people could rejoice at last. Gandhi’s work had set India free from the tyrannous grip of Great Britain.

On January 30th, 1948 Gandhi was shot while he was walking to a platform from which he was to address a prayer meeting. The assassin had links that pointed to him being a Hindu nationalist and strong oppositionist of Gandhi’s campains. The assassin was later tried, convicted, and executed. Gandhi's memorial in New Delhi, bears the epitaph "Hē Ram", which is translated into "Oh God". Many first-hand witnesses have stated that they believe these to be the last words of Mohandas K. Gandhi. They are appropriate last words for a man with such powerful religious and ethical beliefs, and who had dedicated his life into shaping the world that we know today.