Others felt that Gandhi was too soft on Muslims, unfairly siding with them against Hindus. To some Hindus, Gandhi’s way meant leaving themselves open to attacks. Gandhi’s advocacy for nonviolence earned him enemies. Ultimately, partition displaced 15 million people, and the violence claimed one million lives. Riots broke out, especially along the borders of the new territories. When the British withdrew, they handed power to the new states of India and Pakistan - and religious violence quickly swept across the new nations. Unfortunately, Gandhi’s prediction of violence proved true. Wikimedia Commons A portrait of Mahatma Gandhi from 1931. Instead, Gandhi recommended uniting across religious barriers. Gandhi originally opposed partition as he believed that splitting the subcontinent along religious lines would create more violence. The question of partition divided Indians. Muslim League leader Muhammad Ali Jinnah argued for a partition along religious lines, in part to protect the minority Muslim populations in the British colony. Many advocated for a two-state solution, with East and West Pakistan governing over majority Muslim areas while India would govern a majority Hindu nation. But the British left behind a major question: would the territory remain united, or would it split into two states based on religious beliefs?ĭuring World War II, religious violence polarized the colony. This is the shocking story of Mahatma Gandhi’s death at the hands of a religious zealot. He bowed before Gandhi, then stood and shot him three times at point-blank range in the stomach and chest. On his final day, Gandhi was weak with fasting and was being led across the gardens of Birla House where he was living when a Hindu fanatic named Nathuram Godse stepped out of the crowd.

Gandhi listened as enemies cried out, “Let Gandhi die!” Although Gandhi had opposed dividing the territory along religious lines, extremists nonetheless accused him of taking sides. Gaining independence from an imperial power left the Indian subcontinent divided, and many blamed the violence surrounding this partition on Gandhi.

Just the year before, the nonviolent activist achieved his life’s goal when the British withdrew from India and the country celebrated their first ever Independence Day.īut that milestone achievement would lead to Gandhi’s death a few short months later. Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination on January 30, 1948, shocked the world. Universal History Archive/UIG via Getty Images One of the last photos taken before Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination.

Mahatma gandhi said