Was there actually a real Kenshin Himura and a real Meiji era or is Roruni Kenshin based on complete fiction?

A few characters were based on real historical figures, most notably the Shinsengumi.

"Nobuhiro Watsuki designed the characters by basing their characteristics to that of the real Shinsengumi members and also used fictional representation of them and other historical characters from the Bakumatsu period of Japan." Wiki quote.

The plot itself however, is fictional. The time and place during which the series takes place is real (Meiji Era was from 23 October 1868 to 30 July 1912). And many of the cultural and political changes which take place during that period are based on actual historical events.

- I finished watching Rurouni Kenshin a long time ago, so my info may not be 100% accurate.

The only 2 characters that was loosely based on facts was Himura Kenshin and Saito Hajime.

Himura Kenshiin was based on 4 Hitokiri during the Bakumatsu Era. The four assasins were called "Four Hitokiri of the Bakumatsu" due to their insane immeasurable strength. Kenshiin was based on Kawakami Gensai, one of the four hitokiri, like Kenshin , after the era, he sought a life of peace and harmony, discarding his sword for a peaceful life.

Saito Hajime was an actual name of a member of the Shinsengumi, an elite police squad found in the late shogunate period.More facts on these two can be found in the source box below this message.

As for the Meiji Era, Of course it was real, Emperor Meiji started World War II, or does your school don't teach World History?

actually, the story is purely fictional but all the characters are based on real people.

only the men of Shinsengumi trully exists.

but the kind of life of Kenshin by the end end of Tokugawa Era is not something we can call fiction, but at the same time it not the truth, but the only thing we could call a fact is that the kind of life they experience.