Final answer:
Mohandas Gandhi was pivotal in the Indian independence movement through his promotion of nonviolent protest and civil disobedience. His leadership, exemplified by civil rights actions and opposition to the caste system, ultimately contributed to India gaining independence from British rule in 1947, marking him as an international symbol for peaceful resistance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mohandas Gandhi was an important figure in the Indian independence movement primarily due to his nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience against the British rule. Answer D is correct: Gandhi's ability to inspire Indians to resist British rule through peaceful protest and civil disobedience was one of his most impactful strategies. He was a symbol of democratic ideals and a beacon for similar movements worldwide. His leadership was pivotal in moving India towards independence without resorting to violence, and his approach influenced civil rights movements across the globe, including the African-American struggle for civil rights in the United States.
Despite facing a nation with deep-seated religious and social divisions, Gandhi advocated for unity and pushed against the caste system which was manipulated by British colonial rulers to enforce their divide-and-conquer strategy. The simplicity of Gandhi's lifestyle and his adherence to traditional Indian values and dress became iconic, setting a powerful example for the people of India. His leadership in nonviolent protests and as head of the Indian National Congress eventually led to India's independence in 1947, although partition also created the separate state of Pakistan. Gandhi's methods and philosophy made him not only a national hero but also an international symbol of peaceful resistance to oppression.