January 30th 1948: Gandhi assassinated
On this day in 1948, Indian pacifist and leader of the independence movement, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, was assassinated by Nathuram Godse. Gandhi was famous for his non-violent struggle for Indian independence from British colonial rule, disavowing violence and instead advocating mass civil disobedience to secure India’s independence. For instance, in 1930 he led the Salt March, which saw thousands of protestors defy the British monopoly on salt production by marching to the coastline and producing their own salt. Gandhi’s goal was achieved a year before his death, with Indian independence secured in August 1947. However, in January 1948, he was shot at point-blank range while walking to a platform to address a prayer meeting. The assasin was Nathuram Godse, a Hindu nationalist who believed that Gandhi was sympathetic to Muslims and responsible for weakening India by insisting on payment to Pakistan. Gandhi was mourned across India and throughout the world, with thousands flocking to his funeral. He remains a revered figure today, honoured in India as ‘Father of the Nation’ and respectfully referred to as ‘Mahatma’ (’Great Soul’) and ‘Bapu’ (’father’).
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