The leader of the first successful nonviolent resistance against British rule in India was Mahatma Gandhi. His philosophy of Satyagraha, which emphasized nonviolent protest and civil disobedience, became central to the Indian independence movement. Gandhi's tactics included peaceful demonstrations, boycotts, and fasting to challenge British authority and inspire national unity. His leadership galvanized millions in India and brought international attention to the struggle for independence, culminating in India gaining freedom in 1947. Gandhi's methods have influenced civil rights movements worldwide, promoting the effectiveness of nonviolent resistance.