Today, Gandhi stands as a revered figure far beyond the borders of India — he is celebrated across the globe. His birthday, October 2, has been designated as the world's International Day of Non-violence, and within India itself, the occasion is observed as a national holiday.

His Philosophies

The roots of Mahatma Gandhi's commitment to non-violence stretch back to his earliest years. His mother, a devout worshiper of Vishnu, played a particularly formative role in shaping his worldview. Followers of this Hindu god were profoundly shaped by the principles of Jainism, a religious tradition built on the core tenets of non-violence and self-discipline.

Gandhi As An Activist

It was in South Africa that Gandhi first stepped into the role of activist. He had initially traveled there to work as a lawyer, but living under British and Dutch rule exposed him — along with other people of color — to relentless discrimination. These experiences drove him to launch a civil rights campaign rooted in nonviolent resistance and satyagraha (firmness in truth). It was also during protests in South Africa that the honorific Sanskrit name 'Mahatma,' which translates to 'venerable,' was added to his name.

One of his most notable efforts was a prolonged campaign opposing the registration of the Indian population in South Africa, a struggle that stretched on for eight years. As the campaign neared its conclusion in 1913, hundreds of Indians had been jailed, while thousands of immigrant miners faced flogging, imprisonment, or shootings. Ultimately, the South African government relented under mounting pressure from the Indian and British governments through negotiations between Gandhi and General Jan Christian Smuts.

Gandhi made his return to his home country in 1914, where he galvanized millions of fellow Indians to stand against unjust colonial policies without resorting to violence. Economic independence for India was at the heart of his campaigns. He championed, for example, the production of hand-spun clothes called khaddar as a substitute for imported textiles.