Hind Swaraj book's author?
VerifiedAnswer: Mahatma Gandhi
Explanation:
Hind Swaraj is one of the most important books written by Mahatma Gandhi, originally composed in 1909. This remarkable work was written during Gandhi's voyage from London to South Africa aboard the ship SS Kildonan Castle. What makes this book even more special is that Gandhi wrote it in Gujarati using his left hand, as his right hand had become tired from extensive writing.
The title "Hind Swaraj" translates to "Indian Home Rule" or "Indian Self-Rule" in English. In this book, Gandhi presents his vision for India's independence and his philosophy of non-violent resistance. He wrote it as a dialogue between an editor and a reader, making complex political ideas accessible to common people. The book was initially published as a series of articles in Gandhi's newspaper Indian Opinion before being compiled into a complete book.
In Hind Swaraj, Gandhi outlined his fundamental beliefs about independence, which differed significantly from other freedom fighters of his time. He argued that true swaraj (self-rule) meant not just political independence from British rule, but also moral and spiritual independence. Gandhi believed that India should not simply replace British institutions with similar ones, but should develop its own unique path based on traditional Indian values and non-violence.
The British government found this book so influential and potentially dangerous that they banned it in India. This ban actually helped increase its popularity, as people became more curious about its contents. Gandhi later translated the book into English himself, ensuring that his ideas reached a broader audience both in India and internationally.
Key themes in Hind Swaraj include Gandhi's critique of modern civilization, his advocacy for traditional Indian crafts and village industries, and his emphasis on satyagraha (non-violent resistance). Gandhi argued that modern civilization, with its focus on machinery and materialism, was not necessarily progress. Instead, he promoted the idea of simple living and self-sufficiency at the village level.
This book became the foundation for Gandhi's future movements and campaigns during India's struggle for independence. The principles outlined in Hind Swaraj guided major movements like the Non-Cooperation Movement, Salt March, and Quit India Movement. Even today, scholars and political thinkers study this book to understand Gandhi's philosophy and its relevance to modern challenges.
