GANDHI

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869-1948) was the pre-eminent political and ideological leader of India during the Indian independence movement.  Pioneering the use of non-violent resistance to tyranny through mass civil disobedience, a tool to fight for civil rights and freedom that he called satayagraha, he founded his doctrine of non-violent protest to achieve political and social progress based upon ahimsa, or total non-violence for which he is internationally renowned.  Gandhi led India to its independence and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world.  Gandhi is often referred to as Mahatma.