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    Hind Swaraj
    Hind Swaraj
    Hind Swaraj
    Ebook150 pages3 hours

    Hind Swaraj

    By Mahatma Gandhi

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    About this ebook

    Written almost hundred years ago, Hind Swaraj continues to be relevant even today and is a primer for those seeking to understand the concept and true meaning of freedom. It was in this book that Gandhi for the first time formally expounded and explained his concept of Swaraj and the means that should be employed for its attainm

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherGENERAL PRESS
    Release dateJan 1, 2021
    ISBN9789390492619
    Hind Swaraj
    Author

    Mahatma Gandhi

    Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) was an Indian lawyer, nationalist, and civil rights activist. Born Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, he was first given the honorary title of Mahatma—Sanskrit for “great-souled”—in 1914 while living in South Africa. Raised in Gujarat in a prominent Hindu family, he travelled to London and studied law at the Inner Temple. Called to the Bar in 1891, Gandhi returned to India for a brief time before settling in South Africa. There, he started a family while perfecting his style of nonviolent resistance grounded in civil disobedience. In 1915, he returned to his native country to join the fight against British rule, organizing peasants across India to take a stand against taxation, racism, and other forms of colonial oppression. He became the leader of the Indian National Congress in 1921 and increased his involvement with the movements for women’s rights, religious and ethnic equality, and the elimination of India’s caste system, which unjustly effected Dalits deemed untouchable from birth. His central cause, however, was Swaraj, which can be translated as self-governance or democracy. As his popularity increased, he simplified his lifestyle in solidarity with the Indian poor, wearing traditional clothing, eating vegetarian food, and fasting as a matter of personal hygiene and protest. In 1930, he led the twenty-five day Dandi Salt March or Salt Satyagraha, in response to a British salt tax, inspiring millions of Indians to take direct action against British rule. A proponent of religious pluralism, he lamented the interfaith violence between Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims that broke out following independence and the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947. At 78 years old, he was assassinated by a Hindu nationalist for his outreach to the Muslim community.

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      Book preview

      Hind Swaraj - Mahatma Gandhi

      Cover.jpgFront.jpg

      Contents

      Note

      Foreword

      Reply to Critics

      Chapter 1

      The Congress and its Officials

      Chapter 2

      The Partition of Bengal

      Chapter 3

      Discontent and Unrest

      Chapter 4

      What is Swaraj?

      Chapter 5

      The Condition of England

      Chapter 6

      Civilization

      Chapter 7

      Why was India Lost?

      Chapter 8

      The Condition of India

      Chapter 9

      The Condition of India (Continued): Railways

      Chapter 10

      The Condition of India (Continued): The Hindus and the Mahomedans

      Chapter 11

      The Condition of India (Continued): Lawyers

      Chapter 12

      The Condition of India (Continued): Doctors

      Chapter 13

      What is True Civilization?

      Chapter 14

      How Can India Become Free?

      Chapter 15

      Italy and India

      Chapter 16

      Brute-Force

      Chapter 17

      Passive Resistance

      Chapter 18

      Education

      Chapter 19

      Machinery

      Chapter 20

      Conclusion

      Appendices

      1. Some Authorities

      2. Testimonies by Eminent Men

      Victor Cousin

      J. Seymour Keay, M. P.

      Friedrich Max Muelier, LL.D.

      Michael G. Mulhall, F.R.S.S.

      Colonel Thomas Munro

      Frederick von Schlegel

      Sir William Wedderburn, Bart

      J. Young

      Abbe J. A. Dubois

      Note

      The doctrine of violence is more widely believed in than is generally realised. The votaries of violence can be divided into two classes. Some, a small and dwindling class, believe in it and are prepared to act according to their faith. Others, a very large class always, and now, after bitter experiences of the failure of constitutional agitation, larger than ever, believe in violence, but that belief does not lead them to action. It disables them from work on any basis other than force. The belief in violence serves to dissuade them from all other kinds of work or sacrifice. In both cases the evil is great.

      There can be no reconstruction or hope for this land of ours, unless we eradicate the worship of force in all its forms, and establish work on a basis other than violence. A refutation of the doctrine of violence is, in the present situation of the affairs of our country, more necessary than ever.

      To this end, nothing better can be conceived than the publication and wide distribution of Mr. Gandhi’s famous book.

      It was extremely patriotic of Messrs. Ganesh and Company to have readily agreed to undertake the work when they were approached with the request.

      C. Rajagopalachar

      Satyagrah Sabha, Madras,

      6th June, 1919

      Foreword

      I have re-read this booklet more than once. The value at the present moment lies in re-printing it as it is. But if I had to revise it, there is only one word I would alter in accordance with a promise made to an English friend. She took exception to my use of the word ‘prostitute’ in speaking of the Parliament. Her fine taste recoiled from the indelicacy of the expression. I remind the reader that the booklet purports to be a free translation of the original which is in Gujarati.

      After years of endeavour to put into practice the views expressed in the following pages, I feel that the way shown therein is the only true way to Swaraj. Satyagrah—the law of love is the Law of life. Departure from it leads to disintegration. A firm adherence to it leads to regeneration.

      M. K. Gandhi

      Bombay,

      28th May, 1919

      Reply to Critics

      It is certainly my good fortune that this booklet of mine is receiving wide attention. The original is in Gujarati. It had a chequered career. It was first published in the columns of the ‘Indian Opinion’ of South Africa. It was written in 1908 during my return voyage from London to South Africa in answer to the Indian school of violence, and its prototype in South Africa. I came in contact with every known Indian anarchist in London. Their bravery impressed me, but I feel that their zeal was misguided. I felt that violence was no remedy for India’s ills, and that her civilization required the use of a different and higher weapon for self-protection. The Satyagrah of South Africa was still an infant hardly two years old. But it had developed sufficiently to permit me to write of it with some degree of confidence. It was so much appreciated that it was published as a booklet. It attracted some attention in India. The Bombay Government prohibited its circulation. I replied by publishing its translation. I thought that it was due to my English friends that they should know its contents. In my opinion it is a book which can be put into the hands of a child. It teaches the gospel of love in the place of that of hate. It replaces violence with self-sacrifice. It pits soul force against brute force. It has gone through several editions and I commend it to those who would care to read it. I withdraw nothing except one word of it, and that in deference to a lady friend. I have given the reason for the alteration in the preface to the Indian edition.

      The booklet is a severe condemnation of ‘modern civilization.’ It was written in 1908. My conviction is deeper to-day than ever. I feel that if India would discard ‘modern civilization’ she can only gain by doing so.

      But I would warn the reader against thinking that I am to-day aiming at the Swaraj described therein. I know that India is not ripe for it. It may seem an impertinence to say so. But such is my conviction. I am individually working for the self-rule pictured therein. But to-day my corporate activity is undoubtedly devoted to the attainment of Parliamentary Swaraj in accordance with the wishes of the people of India. I am not aiming at destroying railways or hospitals, though I would certainly welcome their natural destruction. Neither railways nor hospitals are a test of a high and pure civilization. At best they are a necessary evil. Neither adds one inch to the moral stature of a nation. Nor am I aiming at a permanent destruction of law courts, much as I regard it as a ‘consummation devoutly to be wished for.’ Still less am I trying to destroy all machinery and mills. It requires a higher simplicity and renunciation than the people are to-day prepared for.

      The only part of the programme which is now being carried out in its entirety is that of non-violence. But I regret to have to confess that even that is not being carried out in the spirit of the book. If it were, India would establish Swaraj in a day. If India adopted the doctrine of love as an active part of her religion and introduced it in her politics, Swaraj would descend upon India from heaven. But I am painfully aware that that event is far off as yet.

      I offer these comments because I observe that much is being quoted from the booklet to discredit the present movement. I have even seen writings suggesting that I am playing a deep game, that I am using the present turmoil to foist my fads on India, and am making

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