The key political figure who led the Indian independence movement against British rule was Mahatma Gandhi. He is renowned for his philosophy of Satyagraha, which advocated for nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience as tools for social and political change. Gandhi played a pivotal role in mobilizing millions of Indians against colonial rule through protests, boycotts, and acts of nonviolent defiance. His leadership inspired a sense of national unity and identity, ultimately contributing to India gaining independence in 1947. His methods and principles influenced civil rights movements globally.