Mohandas K. Gandhi

At the age of 13, Gandhi was married through his parents' arrangements to Kasturba Makhanji. At the age of 18, Gandhi went to University College London to train as an attorney.

After a short period of time in his own practice in Mumbai and even a short stint as a high school teacher, Gandhi accepted a position as a legal advisor in a Muslim run law firm in Durban South Africa. His time in South Africa changed Gandhi dramatically, as he faced the discrimination commonly directed at blacks and Indians. He founded the National Indian Congress in 1894.

Upon his return to India, he organized poor farmers and laborers to protest against oppressive taxation and widespread discrimination. Non-cooperation and peaceful resistance were Gandhi's "weapons" in the fight against injustice.

Gandhi was addressed by the people as Bapu (Father) and Mahatma (Great Soul). Gandhi was arrested on March 10, 1922, tried for sedition, and sentenced to six years imprisonment.

Gandhi launched a new satyagraha against the tax on salt in March 1930, marching 400 kilometers from Ahmedabad to Dandi, Gujarat to make salt himself. This campaign was one of his most successful at upsetting British rule; Britain responded by imprisoning over 60,000 people.

Gandhi was invited to attend the Round Table Conference in London as the sole representative of the Indian National Congress.

Gandhi declared that India could not be party to a war ostensibly being fought for democratic freedom, while that freedom was denied to India itself. World War II

As the war progressed, Gandhi intensified his demand for independence, drafting a resolution calling for the British to Quit India. At the end of the war, the British gave clear indications that power would be transferred to Indian hands.

Gandhi was vehemently opposed to any plan that partitioned India into two separate countries. He launched his last fast-unto-death in Delhi.

On January 30, 1948, Gandhi was shot and killed while having his public walk on the grounds of the Birla Bhavan in New Delhi. Hindu, Muslim and Sikh community leaders assured him that they would renounce violence and call for peace.

Wisdom Left Behind “To forgive is not to forget. The merit lies in loving in spite of the vivid knowledge that the one that must be loved is not a friend." “There are many causes that I am prepared to die for but no causes that I am prepared to kill for." “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind." “An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching." “Hate the sin, love the sinner."

At the time of his death Gandhi had few possessions At the time of his death Gandhi had few possessions. But the items he did possess are very symbolic of his life and his beliefs. Two wooden bowls A wooden fork and Spoon Two pairs of sandals Statue of porcelain monkeys Diary Prayer book Watch Spittoon Letter openers glasses Assignment: List at least four items that Gandhi possessed and discuss what you feel the item represents in the life of the Mahatma and what he believed and taught. For example, I would say that his glasses are symbolic of the great vision he had for peace in his homeland.