Martyrs' Day 2025: 10 interesting facts you might not know about Mahatma Gandhi

Today, January 30, 2025, marks the 77th death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation. This day is observed as Martyrs' Day or Shaheed Diwas in India, honoring Gandhi's sacrifice and legacy.

Gandhi was assassinated on January 30, 1948, by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu nationalist, while on his way to a prayer meeting in Birla House, Delhi. His death was a profound loss for the nation, and this day is now deeply engraved in India's history as a moment of reflection.

On his death anniversary, let us tell you some interesting and lesser known facts about Mahatma Gandhi.

1. Born Mohandas, not Mahatma: Gandhi was born Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi on October 2, 1869. The title "Mahatma" was given to him later by poet Rabindranath Tagore.
2. Shy and timid as child: As a child, Gandhi was extremely shy and timid. He would run home from school so he wouldn’t have to talk to anybody.
3. Trained as a lawyer in London: Gandhi studied law at the Inns of Court School of Law in London and became a barrister in 1891.
4. Fought against racism in South Africa: Before returning to India, Gandhi spent 21 years in South Africa, where he fought against racist laws and discrimination.
5. Led the Salt March: In 1930, Gandhi led the famous Salt March, a 24-day walk from Ahmedabad to Dandi, to protest the British salt tax.
6. Spun his own clothes: Gandhi believed in self-sufficiency and spun his own clothes using a charkha (spinning wheel).
7. Vegetarian and simple living: Gandhi was a strong advocate for vegetarianism and simple living. He believed in living a minimalist lifestyle.
8. Influenced Martin Luther King Jr.: Gandhi's philosophy of non-violent resistance inspired Martin Luther King Jr. during the American Civil Rights Movement.
9. Mahatma Gandhi and Indira weren’t related: Despite sharing a last name, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and Indira Gandhi former India’s prime minister, weren’t kin. Indira was the daughter of India’s first PM Jawaharlal Nehru.
10. Never won the Nobel Peace Prize: Gandhi, one of the greatest apostles of peace, was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize multiple times, but surprisingly never received the award.