The influential leader behind the independence of India from British rule was Mahatma Gandhi. A prominent figure in the Indian National Congress, Gandhi advocated for nonviolent resistance, civil disobedience, and mass mobilization to challenge British colonial authority. His philosophy of "Satyagraha" emphasized truth and nonviolence as powerful tools for social and political change. Under his leadership, India experienced significant movements such as the Salt March in 1930. Gandhi's efforts, combined with the broader Indian independence movement, ultimately led to India gaining independence in 1947, altering the course of history and inspiring other liberation movements worldwide.