Final answer:
Rabindranath Tagore named Gandhi 'Mahatma', meaning 'Great Soul', to symbolize his spiritual stature and the respect he commanded as a leader of the Indian independence movement, emphasizing on his moral authority with ideals like ahimsa and satyagraha.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rabindranath Tagore gave Gandhi the title Mahatma, meaning Great Soul. This new name symbolized Gandhi's spiritual stature and his moral authority within the Indian independence movement. Gandhi's ideologies, such as ahimsa (non-harming) and satyagraha (holding onto truth), were foundational to his approach of non-violent resistance against colonial rule. The use of Mahatma sought to communicate the deep respect and reverence that Tagore and many others had for Gandhi, beyond his political influence and as a spiritual leader.