The influence and ideas of Mahatma Gandhi Mahatma Gandhi was a man of faith and great conviction. He was born into an average Hindu family in India. Like most teenagers he had a rebellious phase in which he smoked, spent time with girls and ate meat (forbidden for strict Hindus). The young Gandhi changed as a person as he earned his living as a lawyer in South Africa. He came into contact with apartheid and the future Mahatma began to emerge, one who defended the truth through non-violent resistance. It was between 1915 and his assassination in 1945 that he fought for India's freedom. Gandhi's teachings on nonviolent resistance, known as satyagraha, have had a lasting effect and influence on the world today. He was the role model for many famous and influential people such as American civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. and former South African president Nelson Mandela. His continuing influence can still be felt today in many nonviolent peace organizations around the world that bear his name or teach his philosophy. Gandhi obviously had the greatest influence in India and South Africa, where he worked for the rights of Indian citizens under British rule. . While working in South Africa, Gandhi experienced firsthand the oppression that Indian immigrants were facing. In 1984 he organized the Natal Indian Congress to help the Indian community in South Africa. Gandhi's skill as a leader first manifested itself during the Anglo-Boer War in 1899, when he had over 1,000 Indians serving under him in the Ambulance Corps to help the wounded on the British side. It was 1906 while he was working in his law firm in Johannesburg. that Gandhi invented satyagraha. “The term meant that Indians would stand up against injustice and bring… middle of paper… research, study, writing, teaching, education and scholarship into international understanding based on the teachings, philosophies, activities and ideals of Mahatma Gandhi have had a lasting effect on our world today has been adopted by many figures prominent in society.A powerful leader, he helped two countries in their struggle for fundamental rights. Gandhi is an extraordinary example of the things that can be achieved without violence. He has demonstrated that satyagraha is a powerful path to victory In his time many leaders were inspired by his example and anyone who seeks to change the world for the better using peaceful means owes something to Gandhi.