Gandhi’s “Hind Swaraj” and Scholarly Engagement: A Look Through Five Articles from EPW Archives

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi’s book Hind Swaraj—written in just nine days, aboard a ship while he was travelling from London to South Africa in 1909— is often cited for its considerable influence on the Indian freedom movement. Its Gujarati edition was banned by the British.

Originally written in Gujarati as a dialogue between a reader and an editor, the 140-page-long book is seen as critical in the evolution of Gandhi’s ideas on society, self-rule, colonialism and tradition.

After the Gujarati edition of Hind Swaraj was banned by the British, Gandhi translated and published it in English. Over time, the text drew considerable attention from scholars and commentators, many of whom have directed sharp criticisms towards it. Hind Swaraj remains at the centre of vigorous debates about Gandhian ideas on society, development, economic imperialism and the role of the individual.

On Gandhi’s 148th birth anniversary, we present a compilation of articles by scholars who have written about Hind Swaraj in the pages of the EPW.

Click on each icon to read excerpts from each article about the Hind Swaraj.