Hind Swaraj

By 1908 many residents of India yearn for independence—Swaraj, or Home Rule —from Great Britain. This cause has been fostered by Indian political leaders, newspapers, a number of British intellectuals and leaders, and the National Congress, an organization formed to campaign for the freedom and welfare of the Indian people.

Many of the proponents of Indian independence want nothing to do with the colonial authorities and believe that the National Congress simply placates the British overlords. Cited as appeasers are two of the leaders of the independence movement, Dadabhai Naoroji and Gopal Gokhali. Gandhi responds that these campaigns take time to accomplish and that impatience with the movement’s founding elders will impede progress: “A nation that is desirous of securing Home Rule cannot afford to despise its ancestors” (7).

Gandhi also defends the English against general condemnation: “That the English people are somewhat more selfish than others is true, but that does not prove that every Englishman is bad” (8). Gandhi believes that treating them justly will lead to the freedom India desires. “It is my duty patiently to try to remove your prejudice” against them (9).