Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi was an outstanding leader of the National liberation movement in India. His doctrine is known as Gandhism. Mahatma Gandhi was born on October 2 at Porbandar in Gujarat. He was Bania by caste. He grew up in a prestigious family. He studied law in England. He worked as an advocate from 1891 to 1893 in Bombay (now Mumbai). He worked as legal consultant to the Gujarat trading firm in Southern Africa from 1893 to 1914. There in Africa he led the struggle against racial discrimination and oppression of Indians. In Africa Gandhi applied his principle of Satyagraha (non- violent resistance).He returned to India in January 1915. In India he came close to the Indian National Congress Party. He joined it in 1919. Within no time he became the most eminent leader of this party. Gandhi led the mass national liberation movement in India from 1919 to 1922. On several occasions, he called upon people for a struggle against British rule. At the same time he suggested them to remain non violent. Mahatma Gandhi worked for the development of the poor. He laboured hard for the revival of hand spinning and weaving. He tried to eliminate untouchability. Mahatma Gandhi was arrested and imprisoned several times. Several times he went on hunger strike aimed against British rule. In 1942 he put forward the slogan 'Quit India'. He was unhappy due to the division of the nation. He called for the unity of the Hindus and the Muslims. He was assassinated on January 30, 1948. Mahatma, the great soul, remained the most influential political leader of the Indian National Congress from 1919 to 1947. Under his guidance the Indian National Congress became a mass party. He enjoyed tremendous popularity among Indians.

Sandal S Anshu, Satna