Hind Swaraj

Hind Swaraj, or Indian Home Rule, by Mohandas K. “Mahatma” Gandhi, was published in 1909 and inspires people in India to work for independence from British colonial control. The book outlines Gandhi’s critique of Britain’s domination of India; it urges the Indian people to reject English customs, laws, and industry in favor of traditional Indian ways. Gandhi also encourages India to reject armed conflict and instead adopt a policy of nonviolent, passive resistance.

Hind Swaraj is at first banned by the British, then translated into English and published in 1912 and again in a 1938 edition that further galvanizes the independence movement.

The book opens with several short preambles that provide background on the tensions between Britain and its Indian subjects. Included are introductions by Gandhi, who reminds readers that his original 1909 manuscript survives essentially unaltered in 1938, as his views have not changed but deepened.

The main chapters of Gandhi’s book take the form of a question-and-answer interview between a Reader and an Editor. The Reader’s probing and thoughtful questions and challenges, which often reflect common views in India, give the Editor a chance to explain in detail Gandhi’s philosophy and beliefs, including his theory of compassionate nonviolence as the best way to achieve Indian freedom.