Mohandas ''Mahatma'' Gandhi

Mohandas "Mahatma" Gandhi born 2 October 1869 was a preeminent leader and martyr for India in a time of imperialistic rule. Through his years of teachings, Gandhi proved to be a man of unshakable morality. Mohandas "Mahatma" Gandhi was an historic figure in an oppressed Indian nation. When exposed to discrimination in South Africa, Gandhi began a campaign for the equality of man, and the Independence of India from British rule, and inspired movements of non-violent protests in India. Gandhi is a man of high morality. He was determined, influential and eventually became a martyr for peace.

Mohandas "Mahatma" Gandhi, had aspirations of an independent Indian nation. He peacefully represented the masses and ultimately relinquished India from British colonization. After leaving for Africa to continue generating and informing other Indians, the peoples of South Africa were not pleased by the speeches Gandhi had previously given. Out of spite, they violently attempt to shake Gandhi from his pledge for independence. "In 1896 Gandhi returned to India to take his wife and sons to Africa. While in India, he informed his countrymen of the plight of Indians in Africa. News of his speeches filtered back to Africa, and when Gandhi reached South Africa, an angry mob stoned and attempted to lynch him." Gandhi took his family back to South Africa to inform his compatriots of the impasse in India, and aimed to promote equality for Indians in South Africa, Gandhi looked to gather a larger posse. The South Africans however were not pleased with Gandhi's presence, and were equally as amused with his previous speeches for equality of Indian. They attacked Gandhi, with intentions of murdering him. Gandhi however refused to be coerced into submission and continued his battle for equality. Gandhi returns to India for he feels he needs to live the life of his brethren, and to preach of a non-violent approach to liberation. "In July, 1914, Mohandas K. Gandhi and his family left South Africa to return to their native India. This small, frail-looking man had one determined goal: to achieve, through nonviolent civil disobedience, freedom for India from oppressive British rule." Gandhi returns to India with intentions of putting his beliefs of a peace as a resolution to the impasse between the colony of India and British Rule. Although he was not an immediate benefactor, Gandhi made public speeches preaching an impassive revolution and practice acts like fasting as means of making a statement. Mohandas "Mahatma" Gandhi dedicated his life to liberating India and demonstrating how it possible to be done without violence. He is a hero because he became a martyr for the Independence and peace of India.

Mohandas "Mahatma" Gandhi refined his representation of the masses by teaching means of a passive defiance. He also aimed to enlighten his followers as he preached for his followers to live off earth's bounty. The foundation of Gandhi's platform for the independence of India revolved around his belief that true liberation could only be achieved through practice of non-violent disobedience. He began to teach his followers his goal for India and preached the importance of simplistic living to conserve the earth. "Gandhi's commitment to non-violence and his belief in simple living--making his own clothes, eating a vegetarian diet, and using fasts for self-purification as well as a means of protest--have been a beacon of hope for oppressed and marginalized people throughout the world." By 1920, his concept of Satyagraha (or "insistence upon truth") had made Gandhi an enormously influential figure for millions of followers. Gandhi became a huge benefactor for the Indian community; he affected many people spiritually and socially. Gandhi also used tactics such as fasting until death to send a message on Indian plights, like the British support of new social class which deemed Indians so poor they are called the "untouchables". Throughout life Gandhi's main concern was truth. He felt that the people should know the whole truth on every subject of life, eventually writing an autobiography which he entitled The Story of My Experiments with Truth. "Gandhi wrote: Satyagraha is not predominantly civil disobedience, but a quiet and irresistible pursuit of truth."Gandhi knew how to reach the masses and insisted on their resistance and spiritual regeneration. He spoke of a new, free Indian individual. He told Indians that India's shackles were self-made. In 1914 Gandhi raised an ambulance corps of Indian students to help the British army, as he had done during the Boer War. Gandhi made sure he gave his supporters nothing but the truth in every situation, whether it is good or bad, and his followers could easily rely on him as an accurate source. Gandhi believed that truth was something that could be experienced in every situation rather than a consummate doctrine. Mohandas "Mahatma" Gandhi quickly became a renowned man for his wisdom; his followers came from all origins as his followers indulged in his quest for common brotherhood. He is a hero for his ability to expand and enlighten the minds of many, in a time of ignorance.

Mohandas "Mahatma" Gandhi became acclaimed for his teachings and display of non-violent disobedience. These beliefs also produced many enemies and eventually caused in his tragic death, ultimately allowing him to become a martyr for peace and equality. In time Mohandas "Mahatma" Gandhi became so renowned that he was well respected for his political opinions without holding any political position. "Although he held no governmental office, he was the prime mover in the struggle for independence of the world's second-largest nation." Gandhi's role in India while void of a political position proved to be a feat as his perseverance won the nation its independence. With the second largest nation searching for guidance, Gandhi dedicated his life to nurture the rights of all of India. Gandhi's teachings also provoked those who disagreed with his teachings into becoming resentful enemies, ultimately leading to his death. "Gandhi was aware that his love and tolerance infuriated some people. He said: "If someone killed me and I died with a prayer for the assassin on my lips and God's remembrance and consciousness of His living presence in the sanctuary in my heart, then alone would I be said to have had the non-violence of the brave." Gandhi was aware that people did not like his thoughts and words, Gandhi still made social appearances and his preach and practice didn't stop until his death." Although Gandhi had created enemies as well as followers, he still continued his pledge for independence, and continued to make public appearances despite his life was in jeopardy. Gandhi dedicated his life to the liberation of India and stood by his morals and beliefs till his last hour.

Mohandas "Mahatma" Gandhi is an inspiration for his ability to influence a non-violent movement, expand the narrowest of minds, became a martyr for peace, and his ability self-inflict damage to his physical being in order to send a message of consciousness and wellbeing to a starved nation. Mahatma Gandhi inspires people to become important figures for a civil cause because his teachings and beliefs are so applicable to many aspects of current life. A poor, scrawny, man of no noble birth proved to a blind world that no peoples deserve to be oppressed and proved that any man with aspirations rooted in their hearts can truly shift the conscience of the world for the wellbeing of mankind.