The most important and influential figure during the Indian independence movement was probably Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, also known as Mahatma Gandhi or Bapu. Gandhi believed in striving for non-violence in every situation and advocated for everyone else to follow him in his actions. Through completely passive protests and non-violent actions, Gandhi….. The Mahatma made many individual journeys, such as leading Indians in protesting against the salt tax imposed by the British with the 250-mile Dandi Salt March in 1930. Through his civil disobedience, he was imprisoned for many years in both South Africa and India on many occasions. Gandhi was an inspiration to millions of people around the world, including many famous human rights activists and political leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela and John Lennon. His beliefs resonate well with ethnic minorities everywhere on Earth, and his teachings have been the basis of his followers' lives for decades. Mahatma Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869 in a coastal town in what was then British India. According to many sources, Indian classics, especially the stories of Shravana and Maharaja Harishchandra, had played an important role in influencing Gandhi's core beliefs. In his autobiography he admits that they left an indelible memory on him. He writes, “It haunted me and I must have played Harishchandra to myself countless times.” On September 4, 1888, Gandhi traveled to London, England. There he enrolled at University College London where he studied Indian law and jurisprudence. During this period he also became interested in religious thought and began reading both Hindu and Christian scriptures. After the failure... middle of paper... Gandhi had announced that the campaign was finally over and, although much blood had been shed, the people of India could finally rejoice. Gandhi's work had freed India from the tyrannical grip of Great Britain. On January 30, 1948, Gandhi was shot while walking towards a platform from which he was supposed to address a prayer meeting. The assassin had connections that indicated he was a Hindu nationalist and a strong opponent of Gandhi's campaigns. The murderer was subsequently tried, convicted and executed. Gandhi's memorial in New Delhi bears the epitaph "Hē Ram", which translates to "Oh God". Many first-hand witnesses have said they believe these are Mohandas K. Gandhi's last words. They are fitting last words for a man with such powerful religious and ethical beliefs and who dedicated his life to shaping the world we know today..