India: A 10 rupee coin commemorating the birth centenary of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869-1948) aka Mahatma Gandhi, 1969. Gandhi was the pre-eminent political and ideological leader of India during the Indian independence movement. He pioneered satyagraha. This is defined as resistance to tyranny through mass civil disobedience, a philosophy firmly founded upon ahimsa, or total non-violence. This concept helped India gain independence and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. Gandhi is often referred to as Mahatma Gandhi or 'Great Soul'.