Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, otherwise known as Mahatma ('venerable' or 'great soul') was born on 2 October 1869 in Porbandar, in Gujarat, western India. He became an influential political and spiritual leader renowned for his non-violent civil rights crusade and leadership of the Indian independence movement. He is widely seen as the Father of the Nation in India. This collection of Gandhi's best quotes comes from his writings and speeches and reflects his spiritual strength and courage.