Most people have at least heard his name. Mohandas Gandhi is one of the most significant figures in our fairly recent history. Born and raised as a Hindu, he was the preeminent leader of Indian nationalism in British-ruled India. He led India to independence and inspired numerous civil rights movements around the world. Gandhi also assumed leadership of the Indian National Congress in 1921; thus becoming the leading figure in the struggle for Indian independence. He is known for many achievements. Women's rights, ending untouchability and reducing poverty in India are just some of his achievements. During his conquest he was imprisoned several times, undertook a number of hunger strikes and wore only a loincloth and shawl – and was of devout Hindu faith. However, Mohandas Gandhi's most significant achievement was uniting the Hindus of India with the Muslims of Pakistan for peaceful freedom from British rule. Gandhi's early life had a huge influence on the man he became. Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869 in Porbandar or what is now the Indian state of Gujarat. His father, Karamchand Gandhi, was the dewan (chief minister) of Porbander State and his deeply religious mother, Putlibai, from a Pranami Vaishnava family, was Karamchand's fourth wife. His mother practiced the worship of the Hindu god Vishnu, also known as Vaishnavism. His home life taught him the principles of self-discipline and non-violence. Gandhi quickly decided that he wanted to become his own person. So, at just 19 years old, Gandhi traveled to London, England to study law at University College London. Influenced by a promise he had made to his mother before leaving India, he studied abstinence from meat, a...... middle of paper ......works and is just one small slice of the impression he left on the world and especially Indian and Muslim culture. Few can compare to the non-violent methods Gandhi used to change so much by doing so little. Indians and Muslims will be forever indebted to him, and the British government has learned a lesson in non-violent protest. Gandhi will always continue to be an epiphany of the peaceful warrior. Works Cited Gandhi, Rajmohan. Gandhi: the man, his people and the empire. Berkeley: University of California, 2008. Print. “Mind of Mahatma Gandhi: Complete Book Online. » The mind of Mahatma Gandhi: complete book online. Np, and Web. April 24, 2014. “Gandhi Research Foundation Official Website.” » Official website of the Gandhi Research Foundation. Np, and Web. April 24, 2014. “Mohandas Gandhi.” History.com. A&E Television Networks. Internet. May 20 2014.