“In a gentle way, you can shake the world.”

Gandhi was an activist and leader of the Indian Independence Movement against British rule. After studying law in London, England, Gandhi was unable to find work in India, and so travelled to South Africa where he practiced law. There, Gandhi, along with other Indians, faced discrimination, which led him to campaign for civil rights. It was in South Africa that he developed his philosophy of “satyagraha” (firmness in truth) - known today as nonviolent resistance. During his time in South Africa, Gandhi was arrested and imprisoned for his resistance. He returned to India in 1914 where he continued his campaigns to end discrimination and British rule in India. The 1930 Salt March - which challenged a British-imposed salt tax - was a 24 day act of nonviolent civil disobedience which gained worldwide attention and is recognized as the start of India’s nationwide civil disobedience movement. India gained its independence from Britain in 1947. Gandhi was assassinated for his beliefs and activities in 1948. Today, Gandhi is often recognized as the pioneer of nonviolent civil disobedience.