In 1921 he assumed leadership of the Indian National Congress (INC) and led several nationwide campaigns.
These included easing poverty, building religious and ethnic peaceful harmony, expanding women’s rights, and achieving self-rule.
‘Mahatma’ means ‘great soul’ – he was given this name for all of the work he did.
On January 30, 1948, Gandhi was shot and killed by Nathuram Godse at point-blank range as he emerged from a prayer meeting.
He was a member of Hindu Mahasabha, a right-wing party which had accused Gandhi of having betrayed Hindus by being too pro-Muslim.
A trial court sentenced Godse to death a year after the assassination. He was executed in 1949.
