Mahatma Gandhi is remembered as one of the most important leaders in modern history—not because he led armies or ruled nations, but because he believed change could come through peace.
Born in India in 1869, Gandhi studied law in England and later worked in South Africa. There, he saw how people were treated unfairly because of their race. These experiences helped shape his ideas about justice, equality, and civil rights.
Gandhi believed in a concept called **nonviolence**, or *ahimsa*. He taught that fighting injustice didn’t require weapons or anger. Instead, people could resist unfair laws by refusing to follow them—peacefully. This idea became known as **civil disobedience**.
When he returned to India, Gandhi became a leader in the fight for independence from British rule. Instead of urging people to rebel with force, he led peaceful protests, marches, and boycotts. One famous example was the Salt March, where Gandhi walked over 200 miles to protest a British tax on salt.
The British arrested him many times, but Gandhi never gave up his belief in nonviolence. Over time, his movement grew stronger and inspired millions. In 1947, India finally gained independence. Gandhi’s peaceful methods had helped unite people across the country.
Even after India’s freedom, Gandhi continued to speak out for peace between different religious groups. Sadly, he was assassinated in 1948 by someone who disagreed with his views. But his ideas lived on.
Gandhi’s example has influenced leaders all over the world, including Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela. His life showed that true strength can come from peaceful resistance and that one person’s courage can change the world.
Q1: What is the central idea of the passage?
Q2: What does the word 'nonviolence' mean in this passage?
Q3: What action did Gandhi take during the Salt March?
Q4: Why was Gandhi arrested multiple times?
Q5: How did Gandhi’s ideas influence the world after his death?
Q6: What is the author’s purpose in writing this passage?
Printable Comprehension Practice
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Q1: What is the central idea of the passage?
✅ Correct Answer: B
💡 Reasoning: The passage consistently highlights Gandhi’s belief in peaceful protest and his role in India's nonviolent independence movement.
Q2: What does the word 'nonviolence' mean in this passage?
✅ Correct Answer: C
💡 Reasoning: Nonviolence, or ahimsa, is described as a peaceful way to resist injustice without using weapons or aggression.
Q3: What action did Gandhi take during the Salt March?
✅ Correct Answer: B
💡 Reasoning: The passage explains that Gandhi walked 200 miles to protest the unfair tax on salt.
Q4: Why was Gandhi arrested multiple times?
✅ Correct Answer: C
💡 Reasoning: Gandhi was arrested for leading nonviolent civil disobedience campaigns that challenged British rule.
Q5: How did Gandhi’s ideas influence the world after his death?
✅ Correct Answer: B
💡 Reasoning: The passage states that leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela were influenced by Gandhi’s peaceful approach to justice.
Q6: What is the author’s purpose in writing this passage?
✅ Correct Answer: C
💡 Reasoning: The passage is focused on Gandhi’s philosophy of nonviolence, his leadership, and his global influence.