Introduction

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, known as Mohatma Gandhi was never the less to
say, a modernist. From the beginning to the end of our life he fought with his
ideology of " Ahimsa".

In this context its worthy to convey "Hind Swaraj"as an important word of Gandhi,
which reflects his idea of "Swaraj". "Hind Swaraj" or Indian Home Rule clearly reflects
the idea of "Swaraj"not only in the political aspect of the then India but also deals
with the spiritual and social well being of all Indians.

"Hind Swaraj" (Indian Home Rule) was originally written in Gujrati in 1909 and
translated into English by the author himself in the year of 1910.

"Gandhi's ideals of truth and non-violence serve on a beacon light to the human
race caught in the rough winds and furious stroams of hatred, ill-will and violence.
His 'Hind Swaraj', the first text he wrote contains the essence of his ideals of Truth."
(Hind Swaraj: A Relook, Usha Thakkar). It is obvious that in the political unrest of the
1990's, he was the man with a revolutionary idea of "Purifying Soul" as a method of
obtaining "Swaraj". Though for some critics, the idea of Gandhi, presented in "Hind
Swaraj" is some where utopian as Eric Erickron calls it a "Rather incendiary manifesto
for a man of peace".

I find it quite important to convey one thing in very beginning, Gandhi was not
against the extremists, rather he was immensely respectful to them but he chose to
stand with "Ahimsa"or "Soul Force"as he believed that "Brute Force is not natural to
the Indian soil".

Gandhi is continuously giving stress on the idea of Fearlessness. The

replacement of modern western ideology with Indian ancient tradition will provoke
Indian people to restore their lost identity- this was the ultimate goal of Gandhi as he
mentioned in 'Hind Swaraj', "The Only motive is to serve my country to find out the
Truth and to follow it" (M. K. Gandhi, Hind Swaraj)

A Review of "Hind Swaraj"

As Gandhi himself declared -"It is not without hesitation that the translation of
'Hind Swaraj' is submitted to publication (Preface to English Translation) it is a great
honor to review this book as a student.

The book consist of 20 chapters including a conclusion dealing with several

political issues of India.

Undoubtedly Gandhi critiques himself in this text. The reader and the editor is
nothing but the two personaes of the author himself. In the quest of a smooth
conversation or argument Gandhi invites his readers to question because, he
believed that only through contradiction and negation he would be able to reach fair
and unbiased conclusion.

Gandhi uses the method of dialogue which attracted the ordinary readers. By
accepting this technique of writing he showed his choice of Indian tradition and
ancient culture over the modern European one.

For Gandhi civilization was by definition a moral enterprise : "Civilization is that

mode of conduct which points out the path of duty". Thereby Gandhi again focuses
on 'Dharma', 'Satya' and 'Prajna'.

We came to know of the three major prospect while reading 'Hind Swaraj'-
colonial imperialism, industrial capitalism and ration materialism.

Gandhi Insisted that "the English have not taken India, we have given it to them.
They are not in India because of their strength but because we kept them'.

Here comes the concept of 'self', Gandhi kept on insisting on the fact that we
should first question ourselves to make us free from spiritual impurities , only then
we can fight for our country back. Thus Gandhi expands the concept of 'Swaraj' from
mass to each individual. According to him 'Swaraj' is not only violent protest against
the colonizer but it is of self respect, self realization and self reliance.

Though his idea on industrial capitalism is not that fruitful in the 21 st century,
according to many critics- rejection of factories, railways and mechanization is
something we can not even imagine in todays life. But then Gandhi proved himself so
flexible to convey- "If, therefore, my views are proved to be wrong, I shall have no
hesitation in rejecting them". This is where Gandhi's faith on humanity wins our
heart.

As early as 1908, Gandhi had challenged the Civilization mission of the

colonialists and therefore he came up with 'Hind Swaraj.

This text got down to the task of ripping apart each claims of British colonialism.
If the rule of law was a claim made by colonial state, Gandhi, a trained lawyer,
attacked Lawyers in 'Hind Swaraj'. He said that while any civilized people would
dissuade two persons in conflict, the lawyer tries to exacerbate conflict for an
earning.

If modern, allopathic medicine indeed was responsible for pushing up life

expectancy at birth in the world. Gandhi said, it offered temporary relief and ended
up spoiling people's habit.

The railways- the instrument through which England's industrial revolution found
market in India, thus funding the Industrial Revolution there while also offering a
means of modern transport - were similarly taken apart by Gandhi.

In my opinion Gandhi himself was a tricky man with a lot of humor. In the
chapter II ( The Partition of Bengal) he thanks Lord Curzon! Which superficially seems
to be awkward but deep down he was with the partition of Bengal, actually triggered
the process of unity among the Bengalies.

"Many Leading Bengalies were ready to lose their all. They know their power
hence the conflagration ".

This is where Gandhi becomes successful to blur the discriminating mark

between the Extremists and the Moderates. Its all about 'SACRIFICE', may it be with
violence or without.

Gandhi even argues that freedom of 'Swaraj' is not about driving out British from
India and copying their system all along. Gandhi states British Parliaments as a sterile
and prostitute woman, ( Though this needs a lot of guts) and says, we don't need a
'Talk Shop' and "Government of England is not desirable and not worth copying by
us".

Passive Resistance

If i don't give emphasis on Chapter xvii that i.e- Passive Resistance, It will remain
incomplete to review 'Hind Swaraj. If I don't give emphasis on the Chapter xvii-
Passive Resistance.

'Satyagraha' or search of Truth, is something that gandhi repeated emphasiged

on. For him morality should be the base of the protest- Therefore he mentioned - The
way of Chastity, Proverty and Fearlessness. Here Gandhi becomes one with Swami
Vivekananda and even Tagore.

According to him "Passive resistance has been described in the course of our
discussion as truth-force". He even states, "Passive Resistance can not proceed a step
without fearlessness."

In the final chapter titled "Conclusion" the voice Gandhi ventured truely
represents his fearless soul. "We (Indians), consider our civilization to be far superior
than yours( Europeans)", Gandhi declared loudly at the end. The lesson Gandhi
wanted to taught British by saying "..although you are the rulers, you will have to
remain as the servant of the people, It is not we have to do as you wish but it is you
who have to do as we wish". This very statement reminds us "With power comes
responsibilities". It would have been really helpful if our present political leader
accepted that.

In the path of making India truly secular Gandhi Conveys, " Its your duty as rulers
that for the sake of the Hindus, you should eschew beef"and for the sake of
Mohammedan you should avoid bacon and ham."

Conclusion

Undoubtedly Gandhi's concept of 'Self' and 'truth' worked a lot among the
common people but some of his concepts are a bit controversial. Gandhi's use of
Indianized English and narrative technique indeed needs kudos. As a whole Gandhi's
ideational framework is clearly presented in Hind Swaraj.