Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi, the preeminent leader of the Indian independence movement, was born on October 2, 1869. He played a pivotal role in India's struggle for freedom through nonviolent civil disobedience.

In 1885, Karamchand Gandhi, the father of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, passed away.

On September 4, 1888, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi departed for England to pursue his law studies.

On June 10, 1891, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi successfully passed the bar exam in England.

On May 24, 1892, Mahatma Gandhi came to Bombay to start his practice in the High Court as a Barrister.

Gandhi led the submission of a petition signed by 10,000 Indians to the Secretary of State for Colonies, demonstrating his leadership and commitment to representing the interests of the Indian community in South Africa.

Gandhi played a pivotal role in founding the Natal Indian Congress, assuming the position of the first honorary secretary and laying the groundwork for organized activism and advocacy for Indian rights in South Africa.

Gandhi sent a telegram to the Viceroy to highlight the Transvaal Government's directive to compel Indians to reside in specific locations. He also departed from India with his family on the S.S. Courland for Natal.

On March 11, 1897, Gandhi accompanied a group of passive resisters to the Transvaal to deliberately violate immigration laws as part of their nonviolent resistance against unjust regulations.

Gandhi introduces the philosophy of Satyagraha, a non-violent form of protest, which later became a key principle in the Indian independence movement and inspired civil rights leaders around the world.

Gandhi is arrested for the first time for his refusal to register with the government in South Africa. He spends his time in prison reading and becomes more committed to peaceful resistance after reading 'Civil Disobedience' by Henry David Thoreau.

P.S. to Smuts informed Gandhi that there would be 'no colour or racial bar of any kind whatsoever appearing in the Immigration Bill or any amendment which the Government intend to move'. Regarding the Orange Free State, Smuts proposed leaving the situation as it was under the existing law of the Province.

Gandhi is given the title 'Mahatma', meaning 'Great Soul', by Rabindranath Tagore, an Indian poet and Nobel Laureate. This title is significant as it is given by Hindus to only the holiest men, although Gandhi is not fond of it due to his belief in the equality of all souls.

Gandhi visited Natal Coalfields near Newcastle and urged indentured Indians to strike until the Government promised to repeal the £3 tax. This led to 78 workers striking, four being arrested and sentenced to two weeks with hard labour, and over 3,000 indentured Indian miners deciding to strike.

Indians in Natal and Transvaal, under Gandhi's leadership, march peacefully in protest of a racist poll tax and marriage laws. The marches continue through the winter.

Gandhi, in Indian Opinion, condemned as breach of faith, Natal Governments' attempt to realise £3 tax from re-indentured Indians after their circular of April, 1910, granting exemption. Natal Indian Congress wrote to Minister of Justice requesting him to abide by Government circular of April, 1910, and not realise £3 tax from re-indentured Indians.

Writing in Indian Opinion, Gandhi asked Indians to contribute liberally to Famine Relief Fund.

Gandhi returns home to India and is welcomed as a hero.

On April 13, 1919, a tragic massacre occurred at a mass meeting in Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar, where British forces opened fire on unarmed civilians. Gandhi implored people to remain calm in the aftermath of this horrific event.

On 5th February 1922, the Chauri Chaura incident led to the withdrawal of the Non Co-operation Movement. This incident involved violence against the police by a group of protesters, prompting Mahatma Gandhi to call off the movement.

Gandhi is detained on charges of sedition.

On 17th September 1924, Mahatma Gandhi began a 21-day fast to promote Hindu-Muslim unity, emphasizing the importance of harmony between the two communities.

Despite his prolonged absence from politics, Gandhi assumes the role of President of the Indian National Congress.

Gandhi leads the Salt March in India as a nonviolent protest against the British salt monopoly, which became a significant event in the Indian independence movement.

The Salt March, also known as the Dandi March, was a nonviolent protest led by Mahatma Gandhi against the British salt monopoly. It had a profound impact on the Indian independence movement and drew international attention to the cause.

Gandhi leads his Salt March to the sea.

Mahatma Gandhi was arrested and imprisoned without trial on January 4, 1932.

Mahatma Gandhi started a 21-day fast on May 8, 1933, to advocate for the improvement of Harijan's condition and was released from jail at 6 p.m.

On July 31, 1933, Mahatma Gandhi initiated individual civil disobedience.

Mahatma Gandhi was arrested on August 1, 1933, and remained in jail until August 23, 1933.

On September 17, 1934, Mahatma Gandhi announced his intention to resign from the Congress.

Mahatma Gandhi declared his intention to retire from Congress on October 28, 1934.

On October 15, 1940, Mahatma Gandhi commenced the Anti-war individual Satyagraha, with Vinoba Bhave as the first Satyagrahi, as a nonviolent protest against the involvement of India in World War II.

Gandhiji started the 'Quit India Movement' and decided to launch a mass civil disobedience movement 'Do or Die' call to force the British to leave India.

At 7.35 p.m. on 22nd February 1944, Kasturba Gandhi, the wife of Mahatma Gandhi, passed away. She was wrapped in a saree woven from yarn spun by Gandhiji.

Mahatma Gandhi, the leader of the Indian independence movement, was assassinated by Nathuram Godse in New Delhi on January 30, 1948.

After years of struggle and non-violent resistance led by figures like Mahatma Gandhi, India finally gained independence from British colonial rule on August 15, 1947.

'I do not wish to live if peace is not established in India and Pakistan' - Mahatma Gandhi.

On 20th January 1948, a bomb exploded during a prayer session attended by Mahatma Gandhi.

Gandhi is killed by a young Hindu fanatic who is angered by Gandhi's efforts to reconcile Hindus and Muslims.

On January 30, 1948, Mahatma Gandhi passed away.