Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948) was instrumental in the independence of both India and South Africa. He was an Indian who was able to bring together both the Hindus and Muslims in India to fight against the authoritarian British rule. Ghandi was also a strong believer in nonviolence even when many Indians were beaten as they marched without fear against the British. Ghandi and the Indians endured many hardship, like when the British massacred hundreds of Indians at Amritsar, firing until the bullets ran out but Gandhi and the Indians stuck to nonviolence.
After India's independence, however, the Muslims and Hindus lost their unity and fought each other, disregarding Gandhi's teachings and breaking up India into three countries.
In bringing together people from many different regions, traditions, and religions, Gandhi hoped to achieve for India a state of harmony for all its citizens- a true peace effort.