| 1869 |
Born October
2 into a political Hindu family. |
| 1888-1891 |
Trains as a
lawyer in London and returns to India. |
| 1893-1914 |
Serves as a
legal adviser in South Africa, where he experiences
racial injustice and becomes a political activist.
Develops a new method of non-violent protest which he
calls satyagraha. |
| 1914 |
Returns to
India and becomes leader of the Indian nationalist
movement. Begins to transform the Indian National
Congress into a powerful national organization. |
| 1919 |
In protest at
the Amritsar Massacre he leads a nationwide campaign of
passive non-cooperation with the government of British
India. |
| 1922-1924 |
Imprisoned by
the British. |
| 1924-1928 |
After his
release he launches a comprehensive programme of national
regeneration, and fights simultaneously on the social,
economic, religious, and political fronts. The poet
Tagore calls him Mahatma ("great soul"). |
| 1930-1934 |
Begins a
series of campaigns of civil disobedience against the
British. |
| 1939 |
Refuses to
support Britain in World War II unless India is granted
independence. |
| 1942 |
Arrested and
held by the British government. |
| 1944 |
Released
following British agreement to Indian independence.
Opposes partition of India. |
| 1947 |
India gains
independence but is divided into separate states, India
and Pakistan. 1948 Assassinated by a Hindu nationalist on
January 30. |
