RAMADJI.com , updated 25 April 2006

Mahatma Gandhi

Brief Biography

Mahatma Gandhi was a leader and a friend to all throughout his life. He dedicated his life to fostering the philosophy of nonviolent action, and spreading this concept throughout the world. Born on October 2, 1869, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi did not live an easy life. He struggled to find freedom for his countrymen and to spread his belief in nonviolent resistance. Given the name Mahatma, meaning ?great soul,? he spread his message across the globe.

Traveling to England as a young man, Gandhi studied law and was admitted to the bar. Already married to Kasturba Gandhi, leaving India was difficult. While in England he experimented with food, clothing and social mores, believing that he must dress like an Englishman to succeed. Gandhi returned to India at 22years old to establish a law practice in Bombay. Unfortunately, he was so shy that it was not possible for him to speak in front of the court. Thus, when a friend offered him a job in South Africa he felt it was his only option.

It was in South Africa that Gandhi first experienced racial discrimination. There he began his fight to end prejudice and achieve equality for people of all races. During this time he began to change, studying the Bhagavad Gita, the Christian Bible, and the writings of Thoreau, Ruskin, and Tolstoy. He decided to forgo wealth and fineries and focus instead on self-improvement. Together with Kasturba, Gandhi founded Phoenix Ashram, a community in which people came to live together and treat each other equally and with respect. Using marches, letters, articles, community meetings and boycotts, he protested. These protests often led to his arrest.

After 21 years in South Africa Gandhi returned to India to fight for Indian independence from Great Britain. In addition to the methods he used in South Africa, Gandhi would add fasting, prayer, and to his system of nonviolence. He spent numerous days in jail goal of showing people that violence is not the answer. his long life, he would inspire and encourage many to follow his same path. His legacy includes many books and writings, but most importantly his spirit that lives on today.