Hind Swaraj: MK Gandhi

Hind Swaraj
MK Gandhi
A Brief Background
 Full Name: Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
 Born in 1869 in Gujarat
 Privileged Family (caste, class, status)
 Religious Family: Hinduism
 Studies Law
 London: 1888-1891
 South Africa: 1893-1914
 India: returns in 1915
 1947: India & Pakistan become independent
 1948: Gandhi assassinated
Hind Swaraj
 Written in Gujarati in 1909 in 10 days
 Returning to South Africa from England
 On board of Kildonan Castle
 Originally published in the
 Indian Opinion
 (800 subscriptions; ~8000 readers)
 Gujarati text banned in India
 Original English title Indian Home Rule
 Translation of the Gujarati by Gandhi in 1909
Chapter IV- What is Swaraj?
The begins with a reference to the partition of Bengal

( 1907-1911)- a political step taken by Lord Curzon.
Province of Bengal divided into (1) West Bengal, Bihar and
Orissa with a Hindu Majority and East Bengal and Assam
with a Muslim majority.
Gandhi asks the reader his interpretation of Swaraj.

R:English should leave India (retire as coined by Gnadhi)
and we keep their constitution to carry on the
Government. Have an army ready.
E: Why do we want to drive them away?
R: They have impoverished India; taken our money;

reserved all important post; keep us slaves; are insolent &
disregard our feeling.
E: What if they change?

R: When a tiger change his nature so will the English.
R:English should leave India (retire as coined by Gnadhi)
and we keep their constitution to carry on the
Government. Have an army ready.
E: Why do we want to drive them away?
R: They have impoverished India; taken our money;

reserved all important post; keep us slaves; are insolent &
disregard our feeling.
E: What if they change?

R: When a tiger change his nature so will the English.
R: Reject the Japanese Model of self government.
E: So you want the tiger’s nature but not the tiger. You
want to make India- English- Englishtan. That’s not what I
call Swaraj.
R: refers to philosophy of John Stuart Mill ( British
philosopher and economist) & Herbert Spencer (English
Political philosopher) . Says – English Parliament is the
mother of all parliament , hence India should copy the
English people.
English don’t allow others to obtain footing on their land,
we should import their institution.
Conclusion
Gandhi in this chapter- presents the readers perspective
on Swaraj only to refute it and as oppose to his idea of
Swaraj but doesn’t clarify what is Swaraj according to him.
Chapter V- The condition of
England
 Its pitiable- the Mother of Parliament is like a sterile
woman and a prostitute.
 Has not done a single good thing on its own without
outside pressure.
 It is under the control of the ministers who keep
changing- today Ashquith (Herbert Henry Ashquith
1908-16-Liberal PM), tomorrow Balfour (Arthur James
Balfour- 1902-05- conservative PM)
 The best men should be elected who serve without
pay (1911) for public’s prosperity who would not make
mistakes and such a parliament doesn’t require any
pressure.
England
 But the members are hypocritical and selfish. Fear
guides them. No finality in decisions. When issues are
discussed they often talk away, and doze off.
 Quotes Carlyle (Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881)- Gandhi
had read his works on French revolutions and of
Heroes and Hero Worship and Heroic history during his
two prison terms in 1908)
“talking shop of the world” (Inability of parliaments to
give answers)
 Gandhi says if money and time wasted on parliament
is entrusted on few good men English nation would do
better
England
 English thinkers themselves feel a true Chirstian
(ethical person could not become a MP)
 Defends the word used ‘prostitute’ – Parliament has
no master. PM is concerned with his own power and
party. Though I have nothing against them, they can
not be considered patriotic.
 If not direct bribery, they are open to subtler
influences- to gain their end they bribe with honour.
 About English people G says- swayed by newpaper-
keep changing their opinion every 7 years but will
never let their country to be lost- effect of modern
civilization on English
Chapter VI- Civilisation
 Many books have been written on the subject. Refers
to Edward Carpenters’ (English writer, vegitarian,
teetotaler, Anglican Preist) Civilization: its cause and
cure.
 Says we rarely argue against ourself- people
intoxicated by Modern civilization will not write
against it. Like a dreamer while sleeping believes in his
dream until awaken.
 “man labouring under the bane of civilization is like a
dreaming man”
 Gandhi is talking about civilization produced by
Industrial revolution (50 years old). People living under
it make bodily welfare the object of life.
 Example- Europeans live in a better house, which they

consider an emblem of civilization. From wearing skin
to long trousers and bodily embellishments.
 If people adopt western clothing they are supposed to
be civilized.
 From manual ploughing of land to using steam engine.
From manual writing to using printing machines-
writing poisoning peoples mind.
 Travelling in wagon to flying through train- this is
considered civilization.
 Getting thins at the press of a button, man replaced by
machines, use of guns to kill many.
 From working in open air to working in factories.
 Man enslaved not by physical force but by temtation
of money and luxury.
 People earlier consumed 2-3 home made ,meals now
they eat every two hours.
 This civilization take note neither of Morality nor of
religion.
 This civilization is irreligious (adharma)
 ‘ women who should be the queens of the house
wander in the street’
 English women labour in factory for pittance.
 Reason for daily growing suffragette movement.
 This civilization will self destroy- Satanic civilization-
according to the teachings of Mahomed.
 G calls parliament an emblem of slavery.
 English deserve our sympathy, they are shrewd, they
would cast off this evil. English people are afflicted by
the disease this disease called civilization
Chapter VII-Why was India lost?
 Begins with a question- If English are afflicted by a
diseased (civilization) why has she been able to take
Indian and retain it?
 G says lets examine the true nature of Swaraj, but to
answer your question- English have not taken India;
we have given it to them.
 They are not here for their strength but for we keep
them.
 Examines the term Company Bhadur.
 Says the English did not have the intention of
establishing a kingdom here.
 Who assisted the Company officer’s?
 Who was tempted by silvers?
 Who wanted to get rich instantly.
 If I have the habit of drinking bhang and the sellers
sells it to me- who is to blame- myself or the seller.-
that will not change my habit.
 If an excess of food has caused me indigestion, I will
not avoid it by blaming the water.
 You have to find the true cause of the disease of India,
then only can it be cured.
 English merchants got a footing here because we
encouraged them
 Our princes fought amongst themselves and sought
assistance of Company Bahadur.
 It was unhampered by the questions of morality- its
object was to increase its commerce and to make
money.
 So they increased their warehouses and army, so its
useless to blame them.
 The Hindus & Mahomedans were fighting- another
opportunity for English- we created circumstances that
gave them control over us.
 We allowed them to retain us. Some Englishmen
might argue that they retained us through swords. But
their swords were useless for holding us.
 We kept them.
 Napoleon has fitting described them as nation of
shopkeepers. They hold dominion over others for the
sake of their commerce. (Example of Transvaal)
 There army and navy are for its protection.
 Money is their God. Trade is their purpose and they
are only here for it.
 They wish to convert the whole world into a vast
market for their goods.
Chapter VIII-The condition of
India?
 Says its sad. India is ground under not the English heel
but that of modern civilization, though we can still
escape.
 G’s first complain is that India is becoming irreligious
(people without Dharma). We are turning away from
God.
 We have been called lazy while Europeans industrious,
we should wish to change our condition. All our religions
teach passivity in worldly pursuit and active in godly
pursuit.
 Religion does have humbug-where there is light, there is
shadow. But the humbugs of civilizations are far more
than that of religion
India?
 R: But in the name of religion Hindu fought Muslims and
Christian amongst themselves. Thousand of innocents
murdered.
 Gandhi says these hardships are bearable. Everyone
know that cruelties are not part of religion but are
practiced in its name, because of ignorant and credulous
people. It has not aftermath.
 But there is not end to people destroyed in the fire of
civilization.
 People come under its flame believing it to be good –
become irreligious- derive little advantage- like a mouse
gnawing while soothing us.
India?
 Religious superstitions are harmless than civilization.
 Reference to Pax Britannica- (Latin for "British Peace")
was the period of relative peace in Europe and the world
(1815–1914) during which the British Empire became
the global hegemon (dominant power) and adopted the
role of global policeman)- Gandhi challenges that Pax
Britannica was an unmixed blessing for India.
 The British (1830-1850) had suppressed the ‘The thugs’
– gangs of murders who made a living by plundering
travellers- ‘Pindari & Bhils’- G he would rather suffer
Pindari peril than seek British protection which renders
Indian effiminate
India?
 Call Macaulay ignorant for calling Indian coward- The
English, you and I would fear sleeping in the field where
farmers sleep even today.
 Strength lies in the absence of fear, not in the quantity of
flesh and muscle we may have on our bodies.
 The bhils and Pindaris and Assamese (uncivilized) are
our brother we must win them over not fear them.
Chapter IX-The condition of India?
Railways
 Gandhi talks about the poverty of India. Says railways,
doctors and lawyers have impoverished the country.
 Site example of TB and how it gives a patient a seductive
colour and deceives of wellbeing. Civilization is such a
disease
 Says the English couldn’t have had such a hold on India if
not for Railways.
 Spread bubonic plague, mass movement-carrier of
plague germs- increased frequency of famine- as people
sell their grain in the dearest market- become careless-
so famine increases.
 Holy places have become unholy- being visited by false
devotees
Railways
 Gandhi talks about the poverty of India. Says railways,
doctors and lawyers have impoverished the country.
 Site example of TB and how it gives a patient a seductive
colour and deceives of wellbeing. Civilization is such a
disease
 Says the English couldn’t have had such a hold on India if
not for Railways.
 Spread bubonic plague, mass movement-carrier of
plague germs- increased frequency of famine- as people
sell their grain in the dearest market- become careless-
so famine increases.
 Holy places have become unholy- being visited by rogues
Railways
 R: But good men can also visit these places
 G says good travels at snails pace and has nothing to do
with railways. Good is not selfish nor in a hurry. Evil has
wings- building a house take time destruction none.
 Railways distribute evil. It is false to believe that
railways has spread spirit of nationalism.
 English have taught us we were not one nation before,
this has no foundation. They have established one
kingdom here, because we were one kingdom, they
divided us.
Railways
 Further explains this- We had differences but we were
one. Our leading men travelled across India, learned
another’s language, there was no aloofness. Why did our
ancestors established pilgrimages in the corners of our
country- Rameshwar in south, Juggernaut in South-east
and hardwar in north and fired people with an idea of
nationality unknown in other parts of the world. They
saw Indian as undivided land made so by nature.
 It was on advent of railways that we began to see the

distinctions. An opium eater may argue that he began to
understandd the evils of opium after having it.
Railways
• R: This India you described is of pre-
Mohamedan era- now we have Muslims,
Parsees and Christians. How can we be one
nation.
• The Hindu worship cow and Muslims kill her.
The Hindus believe in doctrine of non-killing,
Muslims do not. There are differences at every
step.
• How can India be one nation?
Chapter X-The condition of India?
Hindus & Mahomedans
• G says this question arises because of railways,
doctors and lawyers.
• G has already presented his critique of railway
to this add that nature requires man to restrict
his movement as far as his hands and feet will
take him. We are not to rush from place to
place using railways which creates confusion.
• Our difficulties are our own creation.
Hindus & Mahomedans
 God has set limits to mans locomotive abilities
but has discovered means to over ride that
ability which he says mans abuse of his
intellect. In attempting this impossible, man
has come in contact with different natures,
religion which has utterly confounded him.
 Therefore railways is dangerous and
therethrough man has further gone away from
God.
Hindus & Mahomedans
 Answering the questions of introduction of Mahomedanism
and how it has unmade the nation G says, India cannot cease
to be one nation because people of different religion live in it.
 The introduction of foreigners doesn’t necessarily destroy the
nation, they merge in it.
 A country must have the faculty of assimilation and India has
been such a country.
 Those who are conscious of the spirit of nationality do not
interfere in another’s religion. If they do they are not a nation.
 Hindus who believe India should only be people by Hindus are
living in dreamland.
Hindus & Mahomedans
 The Hindus, Mahomedans, Parsees and Christians
have made India their country. No part of the
country nationality and religion is one.
 Responding to the question of inborn enmity
between Hindus and Muslims G say that phrase
has been invented by our mutual enemy.
 Hindus and Muslims have ceased to fight before
the British occupation and Hindus have
flourished under Muslim sovereign and vice-versa
Hindus & Mahomedans
 Both have recognized that mutual fighting is suicidal and neither
would abandon their religion.
 The Hindus, Mahomedans, Parsees and Christians have made India
their country. No part of the country nationality and religion is one.
 The proverb used doesn’t apply. G says H & M have the same
ancestors, same blood. Do people become enemies because they
change religion.
 Is the God of Hindu different from God of Muslims, it’s a river
converging in the same point.
 Followers of Shiva and Vishnu belong to the same nation.
 It is said that Vedic religion ( Hinduism based on vedas) is different
from Jainism but followers of different faiths are not different nations.
Hindus & Mahomedans
 On the question of Cow protection ( cow protection societies
were established in 1875 by Swami Dayananda. The sacrificial
killing of cows became a cause of Hindu- Muslim riots)
 G says cow is the protector of India being an agricultural
country. She is most useful in 100 ways and our Muslim
brothers would agree.
 I respect cows and also our fellow bretherns. A man is as

useful as cow no matter which religion.
 Am I to then kill or fight with a Muslim to save a cow?
 In doing so I will be the enemy of the cow and the Muslim
Hindus & Mahomedans
 Only method od protecting cow is to urge our
brothers for the sake of the country in protecting
cows.
 If he doesn’t listen then I should understand that it
is beyond my ability
 If I am full of pity then I should sacrifice my life to
save her but not take my brother’s life.
 As if I pull one way my brother will pull another.
When Hindus became insistent the killing increased.
Hindus & Mahomedans
 If my blood brother is to kill a cow, am I to kill him
or to fall on his feet and implore.
 Who protect cows from the protection of Hindus
when they ill treat them. Who stops the Hindus
from hailing sticks at its progeny. This has not
stopped us from being one nation.
 If it is believed that hindus believe in Ahinsa and
Muslims do not, it is the duty of the Hindus to not
kill. To save one being he may not kill another.
Hindus & Mahomedans
 But does every Indian believe in Ahinsa? Not one man
practices such a religion because we destroy life.
 Many Indians partake meat hence are not followers of
Ahinsa.
 Thus preposterous to suggest that the two can not
live amicably.
 These thoughts are put in our mind by false religious
teachers (Shastri & Mullah) and English put a finishing
touch to it.
Hindus & Mahomedans
 English like to write histories. They pretend to
study the manners and customs of others. They
usurp the function of God with novel
experiments. Write their own researches and
hypnotizes us into believing them.
 We in our ignorance fall at their feet.
 If we read Koran and Gita and try to understand
the core of religion, adhere to it, not follow a false
teacher, there will be no room left for quarrelling.
Hindus & Mahomedans
 R: But will English allow the two bodies to join hands?
 This question betrays our shallowness. If two brothers want
to live in peace is it possible for a third party to separate
them.
 A clay pot would break through impact of stone, the way to
save it is not to keep it away from danger point but to bake it
so tat no stone would break it.
 We have to make our hearts of perfectly baked clay.
 Hindus can do it, they are superior in number, more
educated, better able to shield themselves from attack on
their relations with Mahomedans.
Hindus & Mahomedans
 G talks of the need for mutual trust. Mahomedan ask fir
certain concessions (separate electorate) from Lord Morley
(John Morley- Secretary of State for India 1905-10)
 Why should Hindus oppose this? R: But will English allow
the two bodies to join hands? The trust would be build
gradually.
 We should ashamed of taking our quarrels to English.
 That is not to say that H & M will never fight. Brother do
fight, All men are not equi- minded. Two men fight, both
get their head broken. How can a third party distribute
justice?
Chapter XI-The condition of India
lawyers
 G says when two men quarrel they should not go to
law court. Lawyers have enslaved India. They have
accentuated the Hindu- Muslim divide and have
confirmed English Authority.
 R: But for lawyers who would show us the road to
independence? Protect poor? Secure justice? Sites
example of late Mr. Manomohan Ghose defending
many poor free of charge. Congress also depends on
lawyers for its activity and existence. You are
abusing the liberty of press by decrying lawyers.
Chapter XI-The condition of India?
lawyers
 G agrees on Mr. Ghose and says lawyers are men and there is
something good in man, where ever lawyers have done good it
will be found that the good is due to them as men rather than
as lawyers.
 H&M fought, ordinary people will tell them to forget, both are
at fault, advise not to quarrel but lawyers take side, argue in
favour of their clients, thus advancing the quarrel instead of
repressing
 Men take this profession not to help others in their misery but
to enrich themselves. They are glad when men have dispute.
 Their touts, like leeches suck the blood of the poor people.
lawyers
 Lawyers have little to do. Lazy people who want to
indulge in luxury.
 Lawyers feel their profession is honorable. They
frame laws as they frame their praises. They decide
their fees.
 Why should they get more than a common laborer.
How are they more profitable to the country than a
laborer? And if they have done something for the
country for money how shall it be counted as good?
lawyers
 Their intervention has lead to H & M quarrels. Ruined families, made brothers
enemies.
 Their greatest injury is to the country- they have tightened the British grip.
 English would not have carried put their government with out the courts. They
perpetuate their power to court.
 It is not for the benefit of people.
 People should settle their quarrels by fighting or asking relatives to intervene
rather than going to a third party.
 People have become more unmanly & cowardly for resorting to courts. Fighting is
a sign of savagery but so asking other decide between you and me.
 We in our ignorance and simplicity believe that a stranger by taking our money
gives us justice.
 If pleaders where to abandon their profession, consider it as degrading as
prostitution English rule will break in a day.
Chapter XII-The condition of India
Doctors
 R now agrees with G that lawyers profession is hateful
and any good they did was accidental.
 G says his thoughts are influenced by western writers,
who have used terms like ‘Upas tree’ to describe the
modern system.
 Upas tree: Javanese tree, so poisonous as to destroy
life for many miles.
 Its branches represented by parasitical professions
such as law and over the trunk -raised axe of religion.
Doctors
 English physicians have used the profession for political
gains.
 Doctors business is to rid the body of diseases but how do
these diseases arise?
 By our negligence or over-indulgence- over eating- deserve
punishment.
 Doctor cures me so I shall repeat the vice.
 Hospitals propagates sin- Man take less care of their body
and immortality increases. (tendency of modern medicine
to neglect soul i.e spiritual and moral foundation of body.
Doctors
 European doctors practice vivisection. No religion sacntions
this.
 Most medical preparation contain animal fat or liquor both are
tabooed by Hindu and Muslims.
 We may pretend to civilized, call religious prohibition
superstitious and indulge in what we like, the fact is doctors
induce us to indulge and we have lost self control.
 We are unfit to serve our country
 To study European medicine is to deepen our slavery
 We become doctors not to serve humanity but to obtain
honour and riches- no real service- injure mankind
Chapter XIII-What is true
civilization?
 Nothing can equal the seed sown by our
ancestors.
 Talks of collapse of Greek, Roman, Egyptian
civilization say India is somehow sound at
foundation.
 (the foundation is that artha and kama should
be pursued within the framework of dharma.
They assert their autonomy from dharma)
civilization?
 Europeans try to learn from G-R mistakes to
avoid them. Such is the pitiable condition.
 India remains unmovable.
 Charge against us is we are ignorant,
uncivilised and stolid, we can not adopt or
change. G says we should not change.
 Many thrust their advice on us, we remain
steady.
civilization?
 Civilization is that mode of conduct which
points out to man the path of duty. To observe
morality is to attain mastery over
mind/passion. And we can know ourselves.
 Civilization equivalent is good conduct.
 If this definition is correct- there is nothing to
learn from anybody.
civilization?
 Mind is a restless bird, the more it gets the more it wants.
 Our ancestors set a limit to our indulgence. Dissuaded us from luxuries.
They saw happiness as a mental condition. (Bhagvad Gita)
 A man is not happy or unhappy for being rich or poor. Millions will
always be poor.
 We have managed with same plough, retained same cottages, and
indigenous education. We have no system of life corroding competition.
 Its not that we dint know how to invent machines but our forefathers
knew if we go after such things, we will became slaves and lose our
moral fibre.
 Therefore they decided we should only do that which we can with our
hands and feet.
civilization?
 They reasoned that large cities were snares, use less
encumbrance.
 Robbers, theives, prostitutes and vice will flourish in
them (Gandhi idealized and romanticized Indian village
and hope to reinstate them)
 Poor man would be robbed by rich man, therefore they
were satisfied with villages.
 Kings and swords were inferior to Rishis
 A nation with a constitution like this is fitter to teach
others than learn from them.
civilization?
 The ordinary rule was to avoid courts. There no touts to lure them.
This evil was restricted to capitals.
 People lived independently and followed agriculture
 Where is mordern civilization has not reached, India remains as
before. People there are happy, not ruled by Britishers and nor will
you ever rule them.
 Gandhi says go and live in the interiors of India for 6 months to
understand this. You can then be patriotic and call for home rule.
 This is real civilization
 (HR should mean that the lot of the villagers is improved. This is a
belief which modern Indian elite has not accepted. Writing to Henry
Polak in 1936 – he write, “ I am trying to be a villager”)
civilization?
 R: But in not just as you describe, it is also a
India where there are 100 of child widows, 2
years old are married, 12 years old are
mothers and house-wives, where women
practice polyandry, Niyog is practised, girls
dedicate themselves to prostitution in the
name of religion, sheep and goat are killed.
Chapter XIV-How can India
become free?
 G:You make a mistake, these are defects and not
ancient civilization. Attempts have been and will be
made to remove them.
 In no part of the world and under no civilization have
all men attained perfection.
 Indian civilization elevate moral being and western
civilization propagate immorality
 Latter is godless and former is based on belief in God
 Lover of India to cling to old Indian civilization like child
clings to mother’s breast.
civilization?
 G says that he doesn’t expect his views on
civilization to be accepted readily however, it
is essential to understand that like removal of
cause of disease leads to removal of disease.
 Removal of cause of India’s slavery will lead to
India becoming free.
 R asks if Indian Civilization is best how do we
explain our slavery?
civilization?
 G says our civilization is the best, every civilization
goes through trial, the civilization which is
permanent outlives it.
 Indian civilization has been placed in jeopardy, its
strength is in its ability to survive
 The whole India has not been touched, only that
which is affected by western civilization
 When we r slaved we feel whole universe is enslaved
 So if we become free, whole India is free
civilization?
 This is what swaraj is, i.e is when we learn to
rule ourselves, its in our palms.
 Once we realise what Swaraj is, we should
devote our lifetime make others understand
what Swaraj is.
 Such a swaraj has to be experienced by each
individual himself.
 One drowning man cannot rescue other.
civilization?
 So our goal should not be to expel English, if they get indianised we can
accommodate them.
 But if they wish to remain with their civilization then there is no room for
them.
 R: Is possible?
 To say no is to say English have no humanity, that’s besides the point though, if
keep our house in order only those who wish to remain will, others will leave.
 R: this has not occurred in history.
 Beacause it hadnt doesn’t mean the it wont- i.e to have disbelief in the dignity
of man.
 We should try that which appeals to our reason, all countries are different and
we need not therefore refer to history of other countries.
 India has survived many shocks where others have succumbed
civilization?
 R: There is not doubt that English has to be
removed. Tulsidas, says that slaves can’t even
dream of happiness, our greatness is gone and
people are afraid.
 G says we brought English, we keep them, our
adoption of their civilization makes their
presence possible, we must not hate them but
their civilization.

Hind Swaraj: MK Gandhi

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Hind Swaraj: MK Gandhi

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Hind Swaraj

The begins with a reference to the partition of Bengal

Gandhi asks the reader his interpretation of Swaraj.

E: Why do we want to drive them away?

R: They have impoverished India; taken our money;

E: What if they change?

E: Why do we want to drive them away?

R: They have impoverished India; taken our money;

E: What if they change?

 Example- Europeans live in a better house, which they

 It was on advent of railways that we began to see the

 I respect cows and also our fellow bretherns. A man is as

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