PDP 6- Hind Swaraj

PDP 6- Hind Swaraj 

Author Bio: Mohandas Gandhi was the leader in the Indian fight for independence from British imperialism and is considered the Father of Modern India. He initiated a campaign of non-violent civil disobedience. Gandhi received secondary education both in India and England. He is known for his high moral standards and quest for the truth. This leads one to believe that Gandhi is a reliable author due to his objections against lies and extensive schooling. However, in Gandhi’s Hind Swaraj it is apparent that he is biased against kings and rulers. For example, he states “Kings will always use their kingly weapons. To use force is bred in them.” In the passage Gandhi explains how people can become passive resister, but he excludes kings from being able to do so. This bias could have arose out of his Jain upbringing that stressed non-violence and then viewing rulers repetitively use violence throughout history. Lastly, it is important to note that most of Gandhi’s writing is opinion and not fact. For example, there is no way to prove that “those who defy death are free from all fear.”

Date/Context: Hind Swaraj was written by Gandhi in 1908 on his way back to South Africa from a visit in India. In the early 20th century, India was being transformed from an agricultural society to an industrial society. Gandhi did not support the industrialization that was taking place. Moreover, Great Britain was beginning to loose power in the late 19th century and early 20th century. Making it the perfect time for Gandhi to publish a book that ultimately explained the way he believed the British should be “overthrown”. In addition, there was a growing unwillingness to accept oppression by the British in India. For example, the railroads built by the British in the late 19th century helped unify India and spread ideas of Indian national identity. Once again, this made it the timing near perfect for Gandhi to produce a book that outlined methods to allow Indians to rule India. Ideas of passive resistance and non-violence found in Hind Swaraj went on to inspire people throughout the 20th century. For example, Martin Luther King Jr. credits Gandhi for his peaceful approach in the American Civil Rights Movement. 

Summary: The main idea of Gandhi’s Hind Swaraj is that through personal suffering the individual can become free and overcome the state. Gandhi strategically sets up the passage in a question and answer format. He asks criticizing questions and then proceeds to answer them. This strengthens his argument because it addresses and refutes any opposition to his ideas. The first question posed is if there is any historical evidence that soul-force can be successful. Gandhi explains that history only tells of the interruptions in the natural flow of the world. In other words, no one records the times of harmony and natural ways of the world. Therefore, since soul force is natural, it is not recorded in history. He explains that solely the amount of people still alive today despite hundreds of wars is enough proof that soul force continues to live on. Next, he is asked to further clarify passive resistance. Gandhi explains passive resistance as self sacrifice that allows one to gain personal rights. Following, he is asked if would suggest disregarding laws in order to carry out passive resistance. Gandhi replies that a person who only believes in the judgement of God is not bound by man-made laws. He continues to say that it is only unmanly to follow unjust laws. Furthermore, Gandhi discusses how it is cowardly to stand behind a canon while it is courageous to stand directly in front of a canon knowing that death is upon oneself. Gandhi ends by examining the importance of a strong body, chastity, and poverty in becoming a passive resister. 

Key Quotation: “Passive resistance is a method of securing rights by personal suffering; it is the reverse of resistance by arms.”