Mahatma Gandhi was an influential leader of the Indian independence movement against British rule. He was born in 1869 in India and was educated in London before practicing law in South Africa, where he experienced racism and became a spokesman for Indian rights. Gandhi advocated for non-violent civil disobedience and led numerous non-cooperation campaigns against the British, suffering imprisonment on multiple occasions. His leadership and philosophy of non-violence helped inspire movements for civil rights and independence across the world. Gandhi was assassinated in 1948 in India by a Hindu nationalist. He left a legacy as one of the most influential figures of the 20th century.