Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (2 October 1869 - 30 January 1948) was the pre-eminent political and ideological leader of India during the Indian independence movement. He pioneered satyagraha. This is defined as resistance to tyranny through mass civil disobedience; a philosophy firmly founded upon ahimsa; or total non-violence. This concept helped India gain independence and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world.

Gandhi is often referred to as Mahatma Gandhi or 'Great Soul'; an honorific first applied to him by Rabindranath Tagore. In India he is also called Bapu (Gujarati: 'Father') and officially honored in India as the Father of the Nation. His birthday; 2 October; is commemorated as Gandhi Jayanti; a national holiday; and worldwide as the International Day of Non-Violence. Gandhi was assassinated on 30 January 1948 by Nathuram Godse; a Hindu Nationalist.