Mahatma Gandhi was born in 1869 at Portandar in Western India. After studying in India, he dreamt of going to England to study.
He was told that his Hindu religion did not allow voyages abroad. However, Gandhi was very determined and he finally left for England in 1887.
At first, he tried to learn to behave like an English gentleman, but he soon learnt that it was better to be himself. He studied law in London, qualifying in 1891. He also learnt about other religions.
(2) He returned home to India and worked as a lawyer for two years. After some problems, he was offered a job in South Africa.
Here he experienced racism as a member of the Indian community. He decided to fight for the rights of Indians using "passive resistance".
He had three main beliefs, namely non-violence, religious tolerance and truth. When he finally returned to India in 1915, he became a great political leader.
During the fight for independence, he was often put in prison, but his beliefs never changed.
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(3) Gandhi had studied in Britain, so he understood the British better that they understood him. Gandhi's leadership led to independence, but, on Independence Day, 15th August, 1947, Gandhi refused to celebrate.
He was in favor of Hindu Muslim unity, but Muslims and Hindus could not agree, so a separate Muslim state was formed in Pakistan.
In 1948, Gandhi started fasting to death as a protest against fighting between India and Pakistan. He was assassinated by a Hindu fanatic on 30th January 1948.
India and Pakistan are still fighting in Kashmir today. The fight for independence was a difficult one, but not as difficult as the fight for non-violence, religious tolerance, and truth.