The Father of the Nation
The Unyielding Principles of Mahatma Gandhi
A life that transformed the world through peace and non-violence.
The Birth of an Ideology
It was in South Africa where Gandhi first developed and perfected his philosophy of peaceful resistance. Confronted with racial discrimination, he transformed himself from a young lawyer into a political activist, laying the groundwork for what would become his global legacy.
1893
Arrived in
South Africa
21
Years
of activism abroad
The Pillars of his Philosophy
Gandhi’s movement was not just political; it was built on a moral and ethical framework that guided every action and inspired millions to join the cause.
Satyagraha
Literally “truth-force,” it was his method of non-violent resistance. It meant holding onto truth with all one’s might, even in the face of brutal violence, without hatred or retaliation.
Ahimsa
The principle of non-violence in thought, word, and deed. For Gandhi, Ahimsa was not merely the absence of violence but an active force of love and compassion for all living beings.
Swadeshi
The promotion of self-sufficiency. It was the call to use domestically produced goods and boycott foreign ones, making India economically independent and strengthening local communities.
A Timeline of India’s Freedom Movement
1915: Return to India
Gandhi returned to India and spent a year traveling across the country, observing the condition of his people before entering the political fray.
1917: Champaran Movement
He led his first Satyagraha in India, defending the rights of farmers oppressed by indigo planters, which marked his entry into the national freedom struggle.
1920: Non-Cooperation Movement
A nationwide movement urging Indians to boycott British goods, services, and institutions, uniting the country against colonial rule.
1930: Dandi March
The famous Salt Satyagraha, a defiant march to the sea to protest the British salt monopoly, which became a powerful symbol of civil disobedience.
1942: Quit India Movement
In response to World War II, he launched the “Quit India” movement, demanding an immediate end to British rule and giving the slogan “Do or Die.”