Ghandi

Preeminent leader of Indian nationalism and prophet of nonviolence in the 20th cent. Gandhi grew up in a home steeped in religion, and he took for granted ahimsa (noninjury to all living beings) and religious tolerance. He studied law in England, but, too diffident to make a successful lawyer, he ended up taking a job with an Indian firm in S. Africa. There he became an effective advocate for Indian rights. In 1906 he first put …

…rural India and promoting cottage industry. India achieved dominion status in 1947, but the fact that the country was partitioned into India and Pakistan was a great disappointment to Gandhi, who had long worked for Hindu-Muslim unity. In September 1947 he ended rioting in Calcutta by fasting. In January 1948 he was shot down by a young Hindu fanatic. Gandhi won the affection and loyalty of millions and became known to all as the Mahatma, or great soul.