Mohandas Gandhi

Also known as: Mahatma

1869–1948

Indian

Spiritual and political leader. He grounded the Indian independence movement on the principle of Satyagraha, which incorporated the search for the truth (satya), humility, pacifist or non-violent methods of struggle and resistance, and personal self-sacrifice for ideals greater than ourselves.

Gandhi was very complicated, and his life involves paradoxes, such as the virtual abandonment of his wife and children.