Description

The first time a UK coin has been struck in honour of Mahatma Gandhi. The commemorative coin was launched to coincide with Diwali and in the 75th year of India’s Independence.

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869–1948) was an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist and political ethicist who employed nonviolent resistance to lead the successful campaign for India's independence from British rule and in turn to inspire movements for civil rights and freedom across the world.

Gandhi inspired millions with his insistence on peace and truth and his activism focused on Satyagraha or non-violent resistance. During his lifetime, his followers called him ‘Mahatma’, which is Sanskrit for ‘great soul’, and he is still widely recognised by that name today.

Gandhi's birthday, 2 October, is commemorated in India as Gandhi Jayanti, a national holiday, and worldwide as the International Day of Nonviolence. Gandhi is commonly, though not formally, considered the Father of the Nation in India and was commonly called Bapu (Gujarati: endearment for father, papa).