Mahatma Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869 in Porbandar, near Bombay in India. His father was the prime minister of several small native states.

Gandhi was married at 13 and at the age of 19 studied law at the University College in London, England. Gandhi was bullied in this school because he was an Indian in an all-white school. Often alone, he focused all his attentions on his studies. 

Gandhi was a gentle man who had a heart full of compassion for people, animals and nature.  He believed in non-violent conflict resolution and devoted his life to peace and making the world a more just place. His fellow countrymen believed him a saint and to millions of Hindus he was their beloved Mahatma, meaning "great soul."

In Gandhi's homeland there were great inequalities amongst the people. There were the rich white people and the Indian peasants. Gandhi dedicated his life to changing this. He wanted the Indian people to have control of their country and have equal rights amongst all Indian people.

Through his actions, leadership and will-power, he managed to inspire Indian people to follow his non-violent protests and freed India from British rule.  Sadly, six months after his great achievement, he was murdered.

Gandhi is well known for many of his inspirational quotes including, "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."