Mohandas Gandhi

Mohandas Gandhi is known for his non-violence and non-cooperation concepts against the British rule in India. As a result of these two concepts, the most significant political and social changes took place in India. Gandhi used the non-violence and non-cooperation methods to solve many social and political problems.

One of the most significant political achievement made through the non-violence, and non-cooperation principle was the Indian independence (Brown, 2008). Gandhi mobilized people to boycott the British rule throughout the country. His principles were based on traditional Indian religious beliefs, which resonated well with the Indians. The non-cooperation campaigns were initiated by the Indian people's need for fair representation in the legislature. Other unfair rules from the British rule such as arrests of nationalist leaders and suppression of newspapers led to more disturbances. The non-cooperation and non-violence campaigns were based on love for others including one's enemies. To demonstrate this love to the people, Gandhi led poor peasants to boycott high taxes imposed on them and helped them to become self-sufficient. Another civil disobedience that demonstrated the height of the non-cooperation policy was evident during the salt walk, which was against the monopoly of the British in salt production. This led to high taxes being imposed on salt. These non-cooperation and non-violent methods led India to its independence.

Another achievement that resulted from the non-violence and non-cooperation policies was the achievement of civil liberties by the Indian people (Merton, 2007). Gandhi advocated for religious tolerance among the different religious groups in India. Moreover, he advocated for equal rights for all people including women. His campaigns put India in the limelight with regard to civil rights and non-violence principles. Through his insistence on self-sufficiency for the Indian people, they gained confidence in their ability to take care of their affairs through cooperation and love for the poor.