First written in Gandhi's native language Gujarati, this booklet advocates for Indian non-violent self-rule during the struggle for Indian independence against the British Empire. It is written as a dialogue between two characters. In it, the "Reader" serves as a typical Indian countryman (the targeted audience for Hind Swaraj), who voices common beliefs and arguments of the time concerning Indian independence, while Gandhi, the "Editor," explains why those arguments are flawed and interjects his own valuable arguments of self-reliance, passive resistance and the Indian identity.
The Gujarati-language publication was banned from publication by the British in India, causing Gandhi to translate it to English himself to evade the British authorities, as well as rally support from English-speaking Indians and international supporters of independence. It is now considered the intellectual blueprint of India's independence movement. (Mary Kay and Wikipedia)
The Gujarati-language publication was banned from publication by the British in India, causing Gandhi to translate it to English himself to evade the British authorities, as well as rally support from English-speaking Indians and international supporters of independence. It is now considered the intellectual blueprint of India's independence movement. (Mary Kay and Wikipedia)
LibriVox recordings are public domain in the United States; copyright status may differ elsewhere.
Chapters
- Chapter 1
Note, Forward and Reply to Critics
08:18 - Chapter 2
Chapter I: The Congress and Its Officials
11:38 - Chapter 3
Chapter II: The Partition of Bengal
05:19 - Chapter 4
Chapter III: Discontent and Unrest
02:49 - Chapter 5
Chapter IV: What is Swaraj?
05:33 - Chapter 6
Chapter V: The Condition of England
07:08 - Chapter 7
Chapter VI: Civilization
08:15 - Chapter 8
Chapter VII: Why was India Lost?
07:23 - Chapter 9
Chapter VIII: The Condition of India
06:37 - Chapter 10
Chapter IX: The Condition of India (Continued) - Railways
07:41 - Chapter 11
Chapter X: The Condition of India (Continued) - The Hindus and the Mahomedans
13:38 - Chapter 12
Chapter XI: The Condition of India (Continued) - Lawyers
07:10 - Chapter 13
Chapter XII: The Condition of India (Continued) - Doctors
05:26 - Chapter 14
Chapter XIII: What is True Civilization?
08:18 - Chapter 15
Chapter XIV: How Can India Become Free?
06:09 - Chapter 16
Chapter XV: Italy and India
06:54 - Chapter 17
Chapter XVI: Brute-Force
15:31 - Chapter 18
Chapter XVII: Passive Resistance
20:41 - Chapter 19
Chapter XVIII: Education
13:10 - Chapter 20
Chapter XIX: Machinery
08:06 - Chapter 21
Chapter XX: Conclusion
15:33 - Chapter 22
Appendices
11:56