Mahatma Gandhi

Indian, 1869–1948

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869-1948), known as Mahatma ('Great Soul'), was the leader of the Indian independence movement against British colonial rule. Through his philosophy of nonviolent resistance (satyagraha), he inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. His writings, including Indian Home Rule (1909) and The Story of My Experiments with Truth (1927), lay out his vision of self-rule, simplicity, and moral courage. Gandhi's influence on Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, and countless others ensures his legacy endures.