Mahatma Gandhi was born in 1896 in British-ruled India. He went to England to study law where he faced discrimination, fueling his desire for change in India. After traveling around India for a year, he became known as "Mahatma," or great soul. Gandhi led many non-violent protests and movements for Indian independence, including strikes, fasts, and returning medals in protest of the Amritsar massacre. His leadership of the independence movement through non-violent civil disobedience resulted in India gaining independence in 1947, though he was assassinated shortly before.