How did Civil Disobedience influence Mahatma Gandhi?

Henry David Thoreau’s essay, Civil Disobedience, was a significant influence on Mahatma Gandhi as he developed his philosophy of satyagraha.

While Gandhi’s approach was deeply rooted in the ancient Indian ideal of ahimsa (noninjury), he incorporated Thoreau’s ideas on nonviolent resistance and the primacy of individual conscience into his own political framework. Gandhi drew from a diverse range of sources to shape satyagraha, including the writings of Leo Tolstoy, the Bible, and the Bhagavad Gita, alongside Thoreau’s defense of resisting unjust government actions.12

By advocating for the necessity of following a "higher law" over civil mandates, Thoreau provided a intellectual foundation that resonated with Gandhi’s efforts to challenge colonial authority through nonviolent means, such as economic boycotts and fasting, ultimately leading to the movement for Indian independence.12