A life of political actionOur World

Mahatma Gandhi

Explore Gandhi’s life, the development of satyagraha, and selected campaigns against colonial rule.

Subject guide · scope, chapters & sources ↗

Requested road · A short introductory biography. Indian independence involved many movements and leaders; these milestones are not an exhaustive account of Gandhi’s life or contested legacy.

2 October 1869Western India

Born in Porbandar

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi’s life begins.

Interior room identified as Gandhi’s birthplace, with commemorative signs. — Basavaraj M · CC BY-SA 4.0

1893–1914 CESouthern Africa

A public life develops in South Africa

Legal work leads into political organising.

Young Gandhi in a formal suit in a 1906 portrait. — Unknown photographer · Public domain

9 January 1915South Asia

Return to India

A new base for political work takes shape.

Gandhi and Kasturba seated outside a building in 1915. — Unknown photographer · Public domain

12 March 1930Western India

The Salt March begins

A march to Dandi challenges British control of salt.

Gandhi walking among participants in the 1930 salt campaign. — Unknown photographer · Public domain

8 August 1942South Asia

Quit India

Congress calls for an end to British rule.

1947 CESouth Asia

India gains independence

British rule ends amid partition.

Jawaharlal Nehru standing before Lord Mountbatten at the 1947 swearing-in ceremony. — Government of India Photo Division · Public domain

30 January 1948North India

Assassinated in Delhi

Gandhi is killed at Birla House.