====== Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) ======

**Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi**, popularly known as **Mahatma Gandhi**, was the primary leader of India's independence movement and pioneer of the philosophy of non-violence (Satyagraha).

{{:upsc-cse:gandhi.jpg?400|}}


===== Key Facts =====

  * **Born**: October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, Gujarat
  * **Died**: January 30, 1948, in New Delhi (assassinated)
  * **Known as**: Bapu, Father of the Nation
  * **Philosophy**: Satyagraha (non-violent resistance)

===== Major Movements Led =====

==== In South Africa (1893-1915) ====

  * **Satyagraha Movement** - Against discriminatory laws
  * Fought against **£3 annual tax** on Indians
  * Opposed **immigration laws** and **registration certificates**

==== In India (1915-1948) ====

  * **Champaran Satyagraha (1917)** - Against indigo plantation system
  * **Kheda Satyagraha (1918)** - Against tax collection during famine
  * **Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922)** - Against British rule
  * **Salt Satyagraha (1930)** - Dandi March against salt monopoly
  * **Quit India Movement (1942)** - "Do or Die" call for independence

===== Key Principles =====

^ Principle ^ Description ^ Application ^
| **Satyagraha** | Truth and non-violence | Peaceful resistance to injustice |
| **Swaraj** | Self-rule/Self-governance | Political and personal autonomy |
| **Sarvodaya** | Welfare of all | Social and economic equality |
| **Swadeshi** | Self-reliance | Economic independence from foreign goods |

===== Important Writings =====

  * **"Hind Swaraj" (1909)** - Critique of modern civilization
  * **"My Experiments with Truth"** - Autobiography
  * **Harijan** - Weekly journal for untouchability removal

===== UPSC Relevance =====

  * **Paper**: General Studies Paper I (Modern History)
  * **Topics**: Freedom struggle, Gandhi's philosophy, Civil disobedience
  * **Previous Year Questions**:
    - Analyze Gandhi's role in freedom struggle (2019)
    - Significance of Satyagraha in Indian independence (2018)

===== Key Dates to Remember =====

  * **1893**: Went to South Africa
  * **1915**: Returned to India
  * **1920**: Started Non-Cooperation Movement
  * **1930**: Dandi March (Salt Satyagraha)
  * **1942**: Quit India Movement
  * **1948**: Assassination

===== Related Topics =====

  * [[indian_history:non_cooperation_movement|Non-Cooperation Movement]]
  * [[indian_history:1857_revolt|Compare with 1857 methods]]

← [[indian_history:start|Back to Indian History]] | [[start|Home]]

----

//Sources: NCERT Class 8, 10, 12 History textbooks//