Indian Home Rule

Mahatma Gandhi

Description

Activist Mahatma Gandhi is best remembered as the freedom fighter who brought the concepts of passive resistance and civil disobedience to the world's attention in his quest for Indian independence from British rule. In the volume Indian Home Rule, Gandhi sets forth a compelling series of arguments against British colonialism in India, giving voice to the viewpoints that fueled his decades-long campaign.

Sujets

• Philosophie et théologie

Informations

• Publié par: The Floating Press
• Date de parution: 01 mai 2014
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781776535552
• Langue: English

Extrait

INDIAN HOME RULE
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MAHATMA GANDHI
 
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Indian Home Rule First published in 1922 Epub ISBN 978-1-77653-555-2 Also available: PDF ISBN 978-1-77653-556-9 © 2013 The Floating Press and its licensors. All rights reserved. While every effort has been used to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information contained in The Floating Press edition of this book, The Floating Press does not assume liability or responsibility for any errors or omissions in this book. The Floating Press does not accept responsibility for loss suffered as a result of reliance upon the accuracy or currency of information contained in this book. Do not use while operating a motor vehicle or heavy equipment. Many suitcases look alike. Visit www.thefloatingpress.com
Contents
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Note Foreword Hind Swarajorthe Indian Home Rule Chapter I - The Congress and its Officials Chapter II - The Partition of Bengal Chapter III - Discontent and Unrest Chapter IV - What is Swaraj? Chapter V - The Condition of England Chapter VI - Civilization Chapter VII - Why was India Lost? Chapter VIII - The Condition of India Chapter IX - The Condition of India (Continued) Chapter X - The Condition of India (Continued) Chapter XI - The Condition of India (Continued) Chapter XII - The Condition of India (Continued) Chapter XIII - What is True Civilization? Chapter XIV - How Can India Become Free? Chapter XV - Italy and India Chapter XVI - Brute-Force Chapter XVII - Passive Resistance Chapter XVIII - Education Chapter XIX - Machinery Chapter XX - Conclusion Appendices
Note
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The doctrine of violence is more widely believed in than is generallyrealised. The votaries of violence can be divided into two classes.Some, a small and dwindling class, believe in it and are prepared to actaccording 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 leadthem to action. It disables them from work on any basis other thanforce. The belief in violence serves to dissuade them from all otherkinds of work or sacrifice. In both cases the evil is great.
There can be no reconstruction or hope for this land of ours, unless weeradicate the worship of force in all its forms, and establish work on abasis other than violence. A refutation of the doctrine of violence is,in the present situation of the affairs of our country, more necessarythan ever.
To this end, nothing better can be conceived than the publication andwide distribution of Mr. Gandhi's famous book.
It was extremely patriotic of Messrs. Ganesh and Company to have readilyagreed to undertake the work when they were approached with the request.
C. RAJAGOPALACHAR. Satyagrah Sabha, Madras, 6-6-19.
Foreword
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I have re-read this booklet more than once. The value at the presentmoment lies in re-printing it as it is. But if I had to revise it, thereis only one word I would alter in accordance with a promise made to anEnglish friend. She took exception to my use of the word 'prostitute' inspeaking of the Parliament. Her fine taste recoiled from the indelicacyof the expression. I remind the reader that the booklet purports to be afree translation of the original which is in Gujarati.
After years of endeavour to put into practice the views expressed in thefollowing pages, I feel that the way shown therein is the only true wayto Swaraj. Satyagrah—the law of love is the Law of life. Departure fromit leads to disintegration. A firm adherence to it leads toregeneration.
M. K. GANDHI. Bombay, 28th May, 1919 .
Hind Swarajorthe Indian Home Rule
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Reply to Critics
It is certainly my good fortune that this booklet of mine is receivingwide attention. The original is in Gujarati. It had a chequered career.It was first published in the columns of the 'Indian Opinion' of SouthAfrica. It was written in 1908 during my return voyage from London toSouth Africa in answer to the Indian school of violence, and itsprototype in South Africa. I came in contact with every known Indiananarchist in London. Their bravery impressed me, but I feel that theirzeal was misguided. I felt that violence was no remedy for India's ills,and that her civilization required the use of a different and higherweapon for self-protection. The Satyagrah of South Africa was still aninfant hardly two years old. But it had developed sufficiently to permitme to write of it with some degree of confidence. It was so muchappreciated that it was published as a booklet. It attracted someattention in India. The Bombay Government prohibited its circulation. Ireplied by publishing its translation. I thought that it was due to myEnglish friends that they should know its contents. In my opinion it isa book which can be put into the hands of a child. It teaches the gospelof love in the place of that of hate. It replaces violence withself-sacrifice. It pits soul force against brute force. It has gonethrough several editions and I commend it to those who would care toread it. I withdraw nothing except one word of it, and that in deferenceto a lady friend. I have given the reason for the alteration in thepreface to the Indian edition.
The booklet is a severe condemnation of 'modern civilization.' It waswritten in 1908. My conviction is deeper to-day than ever. I feel thatif India would discard 'modern civilization' she can only gain by doingso.
But I would warn the reader against thinking that I am to-day aiming atthe Swaraj described therein. I know that India is not ripe for it. Itmay seem an impertinence to say so. But such is my conviction. I amindividually working for the self-rule pictured therein. But to-day mycorporate activity is undoubtedly devoted to the attainment ofParliamentary Swaraj in accordance with the wishes of the people ofIndia. I am not aiming at destroying railways or hospitals, though Iwould certainly welcome their natural destruction. Neither railways norhospitals are a test of a high and pure civilization. At best they are anecessary 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 Iregard it as a 'consummation devoutly to be wished for.' Still less am Itrying to destroy all machinery and mills. It requires a highersimplicity and renunciation than the people are to-day prepared for.
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The only part of the programme which is now being carried out in itsentirety is that of non-violence. But I regret to have to confess thateven that is not being carried out in the spirit of the book. If itwere, India would establish Swaraj in a day. If India adopted thedoctrine of love as an active part of her religion and introduced it inher politics, Swaraj would descend upon India from heaven. But I ampainfully aware that that event is far off as yet.
I offer these comments because I observe that much is being quoted fromthe booklet to discredit the present movement. I have even seen writingssuggesting that I am playing a deep game, that I am using the presentturmoil to foist my fads on India, and am making religious experimentsat India's expense. I can only answer that Satyagrah is made ofsterner stuff. There is nothing reserved and nothing secret in it. Aportion of the whole theory of life described in 'Hind Swaraj' isundoubtedly being carried into practice. There is no danger attendantupon the whole of it being practised. But it is not right to scare awaypeople by reproducing from my writings passages that are irrelevant tothe issue before the country.
M. K. GANDHI, Young India, 26th January, 1921 .
Chapter I - The Congress and its Officials
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READER: Just at present there is a Home Rule wave passing over India.All our countrymen appear to be pining for National Independence. Asimilar spirit pervades them even in South Africa. Indians seem to beeager after acquiring rights. Will you explain your views in thismatter?
EDITOR: You have well put the question, but the answer is not easy. Oneof the objects of a newspaper is to understand the popular feeling andto give expression to it; another is to arouse among the people certaindesirable sentiments; and the third is fearlessly to expose populardefects. The exercise of all these three functions is involved inanswering your question. To a certain extent the people's will has to beexpressed; certain sentiments will need to be fostered, and defects willhave to be brought to light. But, as you have asked the question, it ismy duty to answer it.
READER: Do you then consider that a desire for Home Rule has beencreated among us?
EDITOR: That desire gave rise to the National Congress. The choice ofthe word "National" implies it.
READER: That, surely, is not the case. Young India seems to ignore theCongress. It is considered to be an instrument for perpetuating BritishRule.
EDITOR: That opinion is not justified. Had not the Grand Old Man ofIndia prepared the soil, our young men could not have even spoken aboutHome Rule. How can we forget what Mr. Hume has written, how he haslashed us into action, and with what effort he has awakened us, in orderto achieve the objects of the Congress? Sir William Wedderburn has givenhis body, mind and money to the same cause. His writings are worthy ofperusal to this day. Professor Gokhale, in order to prepare the Nation,embraced poverty and gave twenty years of his life. Even now, he isliving in poverty. The late Justice Buddrudin Tyebji was also one ofthose who, through the Congress, sowed the seed of Home Rule. Similarlyin Bengal, Madras, the Punjab and other places, there have been loversof India and members of the Congress, both Indian and English.
READER: Stay, stay, you are going too far, you are straying away from myquestion. I have asked you about Home or Self-Rule; you are discussingforeign rule. I do not desire to hear English names, and you are givingme such names. In these circumstances, I do not think we can ever meet.I shall be pleased if you will confine