Mahatma Gandhi holds the highest place in the history of modern India. He made the maximum contribution to the freedom struggle of India. He faced the British with Non-violence and Satyagraha and forced them to leave India.

A brief description of the life and activities of this great freedom fighter is as under :

Birth and Education: Gandhiji’s name was Mohan Das Karam Chand Gandhi. He was born on 2nd Oct., 1869 A.D. at Porbander in Kathiawar. Gandhiji received his early education in India and went to England for his higher education. He became a barrister and came back to India.

Political Life: After returning from England, he worked as lawyer for some time. But later, he went to South Africa.

When he reached South Africa, he was pained to see that the Indians were not treated well by the whites. Gandhiji could not tolerate it. He started Satyagraha movement there and helped Indians to get their demands accepted by the African Government.

Gandhiji in India: In 1915, Gandhiji returned to India from South Africa. The First World War was going on at that time. The British Government was engaged in this war. It was badly in need of men and money. So, Gandhiji appealed to the people to cooperate with the British. He wanted to win over the British by helping them. He believed that the British would grant freedom to India after winning the war. But contrary to his belief, the British passed the Rowlatt Act. Gandhiji was very much pained by these Black Bills and he started satyagraha against them.

Non-Cooperation Movement: Gandhiji started the Non-Cooperation Movement against the British in 1920. Public completely cooperated with Mahatma Gandhi. The government tried to suprress the movement forcefully. But Gandhiji withdrew the movement on account of some incident of violence in 1922.

Civil Disobedience Movement: In 1930, Gandhiji started Civil Disobedience Movement. He violated salt laws by preparing salt from sea water. He broke the salt law on the sea coast at Dandi in Gujarat in March, 1930. The people started defying the salt laws at various places. Consequently, the government was frustrated and Indians were given the right to prepare salt.

Quit India Movement: The main aim of Gandhiji was to free India. He started Quit India Movement in 1942 to achieve his aim. Lakhs of people took part in the movement and suffered heavy losses. Though the movement failed, yet it made clear that the British would have to quit India soon.

Other Works: Gandhiji did a lot to uplift the status of all the Indians. He gave the message of wearing Khadi to remove poverty from India. He gave the message of brotherhood to stop communal riots in the country.

Death: On 30th January, 1948 A.D. Gandhiji was shot dead by Nathu Ram Vinayak Godesey. The whole of the country was plunged into gloom at his death. Indians cannot forget the services of Gandhiji. He is remembered as the ‘Father of the Nation’.