Mohandas Gandhi
...a Indian
nationalist leader, who established his country's freedom through a nonviolent
revolution.
Gandhi became a leader in a difficult struggle, the Indian campaign for
home rule. He believed and dedicated his life to demonstrating that both
individuals and nations owe it to themselves to stay free, and to allow the same
freedom to others. Gandhi was one of the gentlest of men, a devout and almost
mystical Hindu, but he had and iron core of determination. Nothing could change
his convictions. Some observers called him a master politician. Others believed
him a saint.
Gandhi became a leader in a difficult struggle, the Indian campaign for
home rule. He worked to reconcile all classes and religious sects. Gandhi
meant not only technical self-government but also self-reliance. After World
War I, in which he played an active part in recruiting campaigns, he launched
his movement of passive resistance to Great Britain. When the Britain
government failed to make amends, Gandhi established an organized campaign of
noncooperation. Through India, streets were blocked by squatting Indians who
refused to rise even when beaten by the police. He declared he would go to jail
even die before obeying anti-Asian Law. Gandhi was arrested, but the British
were soon forced to release him. Economic independence for India, involving the
complete boycott of British goods, was made a result of Gandhi's self-ruling
movement. The economic aspects of the movement were serious, for the
exploitation of Indian villagers by British industrialists has resulted in
extreme poverty in the country and the virtual destruction of Indian home
industries. As a solution for such poverty, Gandhi supported revival of
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