Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi  (2 October 1869  30 January 1948), commonly known as Mahatma Gandhi, was the preeminent leader of Indian nationalism in British-ruled India. Employing non-violent civil disobedience, Gandhi led India to independence and inspired movements for non-violence, civil rights and freedom across the world.

The son of a senior government official, Gandhi was born and raised in a Hindu Bania community in coastal Gujarat, and trained in law in London. Gandhi became famous by fighting for the civil rights of Muslim and Hindu Indians in South Africa, using the new techniques of non-violent civil disobedience that he developed.

In May 1883, the 13-year-old Mohandas was married to 14-year-old Kasturbai Makhanji  in an arranged child marriage, according to the custom of the region.

He was a dedicated vegetarian, and undertook long fasts as means of both self-purification and political mobilization.

In 1888, Gandhi travelled to London, England, to study law at University College London, where he studied Indian law and jurisprudence and to train as a barrister at the Inner Temple.

Gandhi led Indians in protesting the national salt tax with the 400 km (250 mi) Dandi Salt March in 1930, and later in demanding the British to immediately Quit India in 1942, during World War II.

Gandhi spent 21 years in South Africa, where he developed his political views, ethics and political leadership skills.

In 1915, Gandhi returned to India permanently. He brought an international reputation as a leading Indian nationalist, theorist and organizer. He joined the Indian National Congress and was introduced to Indian issues, politics and the Indian people primarily by Gopal Krishna Gokhale.

In April 1918, during the latter part of World War I, the Viceroy invited Gandhi to a War Conference in Delhi.  Perhaps to show his support for the Empire and help his case for India's independence, Gandhi agreed to actively recruit Indians for the war effort.

On 14 and 15 August 1947 the Indian Independence Act was invoked. In border areas some 10-12 million people moved from one side to another and upwards of a half million were killed in communal riots pitting Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs.

On 30 January 1948, Gandhi was shot while he was walking to a platform from which he was to address a prayer meeting. The assassin, Nathuram Godse, was a Hindu nationalist with links to the extremist Hindu Mahasabha, who held Gandhi responsible for weakening India by insisting upon a payment to Pakistan.

These are the books written by Mahatma Gandhi :

• An Autobiography – The Story Of My Experiments With Truth
• Hind Swaraj Or Indian Home Rule
• Key To Health

These are Compilations of Mahatma Gandhi’s Writings

• A Gandhi Anthology – Part I
• A Gandhi Anthology – Part II
• All Men Are Brothers
• Constructive Programme – Its Meaning And Place
• Epigrams From Gandhi
• Ethical Religion
• From Yeravda Mandir (Ashram Observances)
• Mohan Mala (A Gandhian Rosary)
• My Views on Education
• Selected Letters
• Selections From Gandhi
• The Gita According To Gandhi
• The Mind Of Mahatma Gandhi
• The Moral Basis Of Vegetarianism
• The Teaching Of The Gita
• The Words Of Gandhi
• Towards New Education
• Trusteeship
• Character & Nation Building
• Discourses On Gita
• Gandhiji Expects
• India Of My Dream
• Industrial And Agrarian Life And Relations
• Key To Health
• My God
• My Religion
• Truth is God
• Nature Cure
• Panchayat Raj
• Pathway To God
• Prayer
• Ramanama
• Satyagraha In South Africa
• Self Restraint Vs. Self Indulgence
• The Essence of Hinduism
• The Law And The Lawyers
• The Message Of Gita
• The Way To Communal Harmony
• Truth Is God
• Village Industries
• Village Swaraj