Mahatma Gandhi, a key leader of India's freedom struggle, was born in which present-day Indian state?

Introduction / Context:
This question belongs to Indian history as well as general knowledge, asking about the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi is one of the most important leaders in India's struggle for independence, and his early life, including his place of birth, is a basic yet essential fact for any competitive exam. The question requires you to identify the present-day state in which his birthplace is located.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The personality mentioned is Mahatma Gandhi.
• We are asked about the present-day Indian state where he was born.
• Options include Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Rajasthan and Gujarat.
• We assume standard historical facts about Gandhi's birth.

Concept / Approach:
Mahatma Gandhi was born on 2 October 1869 in the coastal town of Porbandar. In present-day India, Porbandar is located in the state of Gujarat. Although political boundaries have changed over time, modern textbooks always associate his birth with Porbandar in Gujarat. Therefore, the correct approach is simply to recall this association and match it with the appropriate state.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Remember that Gandhi was born in Porbandar on 2 October 1869. Step 2: Recall that Porbandar is a coastal town in present-day Gujarat. Step 3: Examine the options: Madhya Pradesh, Assam, Rajasthan and Gujarat. Step 4: Identify Gujarat as the state containing Porbandar. Step 5: Select Gujarat as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative Check:
This information is very widely known and appears in almost every biography of Mahatma Gandhi as well as in school history textbooks. Tourism and heritage materials often describe Porbandar in Gujarat as his birthplace and highlight locations in the state connected with his early life. None of the other listed states claim or advertise Porbandar as part of their territory, which confirms that Gujarat is correct.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option a (Madhya Pradesh) is incorrect because Gandhi had no birth connection there; it is more central inland. Option b (Assam) lies in the north-eastern part of India and is not associated with his birth. Option c (Rajasthan) is a north-western desert state, again not the birthplace of Gandhi. These states may have historical links to other freedom fighters, but they are not relevant to Gandhi's birth.

Common Pitfalls:
Because Gandhi is such a famous leader, the birth details may seem obvious, yet some students confuse Porbandar with other coastal cities or misplace it in Rajasthan or Maharashtra. Another pitfall is mixing up the birthplaces of multiple leaders studied together. To avoid such confusion, remember a simple formula: “Gandhi – Porbandar – Gujarat,” and connect all three terms firmly in your memory.

Final Answer:
Mahatma Gandhi was born in the present-day Indian state of Gujarat.