Gandhi went to South Africa as a lawyer.

Explanation:

Early Life and Education:
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, commonly known as Mahatma Gandhi, was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, Gujarat, India. He came from a middle-class Hindu family and received his early education in India.

Legal Education:
In 1888, Gandhi traveled to England to study law at University College London. He pursued a degree in law and was called to the bar in 1891. During his time in London, he was exposed to different ideologies and philosophies, including Christianity, which would later shape his approach to social and political activism.

Arrival in South Africa:
After completing his legal education, Gandhi returned to India briefly but soon received an opportunity to work as a lawyer in South Africa. In 1893, he moved to Natal, South Africa, to represent an Indian business firm.

Challenges Faced in South Africa:
Gandhi faced numerous challenges and experienced racial discrimination during his time in South Africa. He was appalled by the treatment of Indians and other non-white communities by the colonial British authorities. This experience ignited his passion for fighting against injustice and became a turning point in his life.

Legal and Activist Work:
As a lawyer, Gandhi used his legal skills to fight for the rights of the Indian community in South Africa. He advocated for their civil liberties, challenged discriminatory laws, and fought against racial segregation. He organized protests, led campaigns, and initiated civil disobedience movements to draw attention to the plight of Indians and to demand equal treatment.

Impact on Gandhi's Philosophy:
Gandhi's experiences in South Africa played a significant role in shaping his philosophy of nonviolent resistance and peaceful protest. He learned that passive resistance and civil disobedience could be powerful tools for social and political change. These principles would become central to his later activism in India and his struggle for Indian independence from British rule.

Conclusion:
Gandhi's profession in South Africa was that of a lawyer. While practicing law, he witnessed and experienced racial discrimination, which inspired him to fight for the rights of the Indian community and shaped his philosophy of nonviolent resistance. Gandhi's time in South Africa laid the foundation for his future role as a leader and his commitment to social justice and equality.

D) Lawyer