The Mahatma and Modern India

With the 20th century, the British policies brought social and political reform. The British made constitutional changes and allowed self-government at the village level. The British recognized the newly formed political party called the Indian National Congress. The Maharajas and the old way was being replaced by democracy and the British way.
All this came about because of the English education, which opened the way for the training of Indian intellectuals who eventually craved freedom. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was one of the English educated elite. He was born in 1869 and became a lawyer, but he gave it up in order to pursue freedom for his country. Gandhi fought for independence with his weapon of satyagraha, the non-violent fight for justice. Gandhi, through his philosophy and teachings helped show the Indians that their country belonged to them.
Gandhi told the Indians not to help the British, but instead go on peace strikes. He persuaded his followers to wear Indian handloom textiles instead of British manufactured cloth. Gandhi walked miles in silent protest against British taxes on common items, like salt, that were needed to live. Gandhi went to jail time and time again, but this never stopped him.
India finally gained independence on August 15, 1947 and Jawaharlal Nehru became the first Prime Minister. Although Gandhi did not assume this title, he assumed a the title of ‘Father of the Nation’ for it was Gandhi helped the Indians realize their potential and their worth.