and undertook long  fasts  as a means of both self-purification and social protest Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi Born 2 October 1869 Porbandar ,  Bombay Presidency , British India Died 30 January 1948 (aged 78) New Delhi ,  Union of India Cause of death Assassination Resting place Rajghat , New Delhi, India Nationality Indian Other names Mahatma