Final answer:
Mahatma Gandhi, a lawyer by education, led the peaceful movement for India's independence, known as 'Bapu'. He headed the Indian National Congress and practiced nonviolent civil disobedience, most notably through the Salt March, to resist British colonial rule.
Step-by-step explanation:
Leader of the Peaceful Movement in India
The leader of the peaceful movement in India known as 'Bapu' or Mahatma Gandhi was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. Gandhi was the head of the Indian National Congress starting in 1921 and led the drive for India's independence through nonviolent methods. A lawyer by profession, Gandhi's life transformed after experiencing racial discrimination in South Africa, leading him to adopt and strongly advocate for the practice of civil disobedience and nonviolence upon his return to India in 1915.
Gandhi's Influence and Methods
Gandhi's approach combined traditional Indian ideals with modern concepts of nonviolent resistance. His use of nonviolent civil disobedience played a pivotal role in uniting people across India against British rule. Some of Gandhi's significant actions included the ‘Quit India’ movement and the famous Salt March in 1930, which challenged the British monopoly and underscored the futility of British control over India.
Through fasting, boycotting British goods, and advocating for the rights of women and poor people, Gandhi became a symbol of the struggle for Indian independence. His methods and teachings have also influenced other global movements, particularly the Civil Rights Movement in the United States.