40 pages • 1 hour read
Mahatma GandhiHind Swaraj
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1909A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Hind Swaraj by Mahatma Gandhi, published in 1909, critiques British colonial control in India, urging Indians to reject British customs and laws in favor of traditional Indian ways. Through a dialogue between a Reader and the Editor, Gandhi advocates for nonviolent resistance, or Satyagraha, as the path to independence. Although initially banned by the British, the book was later published in English in 1912 and again in 1938, bolstering the Indian independence movement.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Mahatma Gandhi's Hind Swaraj is lauded for its profound arguments on self-rule and critique of modern civilization, offering deep insights into Gandhi's philosophy of non-violence. However, some critics find its idealism impractical and its historical context outdated for contemporary issues. Overall, it remains a seminal text for understanding Gandhian thought and India's independence movement.
Who Should Read Hind Swaraj?
A reader who enjoys Mahatma Gandhi's Hind Swaraj is likely interested in anti-colonial literature, political philosophy, and nonviolent resistance. Comparable works include Henry David Thoreau's Walden and Leo Tolstoy's The Kingdom of God Is Within You. This reader appreciates historical and ideological insights into social and political reform.