BOOK REVIEW-'HIND SWARAJ'

INTRODUCTION

M K Gandhi wrote the Hind Swaraj or Indian Home Rule on his voyage from London to South Africa, in 1909, at the young age of 37, when he embarked upon a journey that few people would ever undertake. At a point when it was absolutely dangerous, he tried looking up the difficult issue of civilizational conflict. His full name is Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. Hind Swaraj holds a significant place in the struggle of India against British rule, and is in itself a word to all of humanity itself. In 1910, it was banned by the British government for raising insurgency amongst the people. Gandhi originally wrote the book in Gujarati on board SS Kildonan Castle. It is written in the form of a conversation between two individuals: - the reader, a random Indian critic of the views and philosophies of Gandhi, who is enlightened by Gandhi, and the editor Gandhi himself. The reader argues the doubts of the citizens concerning struggles with independence, and Gandhi explains why those arguments are flawed and put forth his explanations. Gandhi was wise in choosing this eccentric form of writing as it provides him with the ability to discuss a broad range of topics with all their ramifications and complexities. This book is the elementary insight into Gandhian thought, and is key for anyone trying to understand his works.

Hind Swaraj or Indian Home Rule is the best place to start with for someone who wants to engage with the mystery and magic that is Gandhian thinking, because Gandhi himself has discussed all the questions that one might have in his philosophies, and this book is as much ab