Mahatma Gandhi was the influential figure behind the nonviolent resistance movement in India, which sought to end British colonial rule. His philosophy, rooted in principles of nonviolence (ahimsa) and civil disobedience, inspired mass movements and a profound national consciousness among Indians. Gandhi's leadership during events such as the Salt March in 1930 galvanized public support against oppressive laws and policies. His methods highlighted the power of collective action undertaken peacefully and became a model for subsequent civil rights movements worldwide, influencing leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela.