The Gujarat Vidyapith is a major university located in Ahmedabad, in the state of Gujarat in India. It was founded in 1920 by Mohandas Gandhi, the leader of the Indian independence movement. "Vidyapith", in many languages of India, means "University." The university was founded on October 18, 1920 as the Rashtriya Vidyapith (National University) by Mohandas Gandhi, who would serve throughout his life as the Kula-pati, or chancellor. The purpose of its establishment was to promote educational institutions run by Indians for Indians and outside the financial and governing control of British authorities. The university helped Indian nationalists establish a system of education for all Indians, thus proving the country's independence from British-run institutions, and so de-legitimizing British Raj in India. The foundation of the university was one of the first most important events in the initiative of satyagraha launched by Gandhi as a means to peacefully terminate British rule in India. The Vidyapith's foundation was emulated by nationalists in Benares, Bombay, Calcutta, Nagpur, Madras and in many cities across India.