Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi ( Porbandar, British India, 2 October 1869 - New Delhi, 30 January 1948), commonly known as Mahatma Gandhi or Bapu (Father of Nation), was an Indian lawyer, thinker and politician. He was the preeminent leader of Indian nationalism in British-ruled India. Employing non-violent civil disobedience, Gandhi led India to independence and inspired movements for non-violence, civil rights, and freedom across the world.