M.K. Gandhi, Hind Swaraj or Indian Home Rule: Reading and Discussion Questions.

 

 

1. (xiv) Where does Gandhi write Hind Swaraj?

 

2. (xvii-l) What were the historical contexts in which Hind Swaraj was written?

 

3. (l)  What is the literary genre that Gandhi uses in Hind Swaraj?  Why does he choose this genre?

 

4.  (10) What does Gandhi mean when he says, “these views are mine, and yet not mine?”

 

5. (10-11, fn.8) What does Gandhi mean by “Truth”?

 

6. (13, fn.10) What was the Indian National Congress (INC)?

 

7. (22 fn. 28, 112) Who were the Moderates?  Who were the Extremists?

 

8. (26-29) What is swaraj?  Is there only one definition of swaraj?

 

9. (28, 33, 39, 73) What is Gandhi’s interpretation of “English people?”  Are they to blame for India’s problems? Who is to blame for colonialism?

 

10. (34-38, 66-71) What does Gandhi mean by civilization?  What does he mean by “true civilization”?

 

11. (22, 22 fn28, 85) What is Gandhi’s problem of using petitions?

 

12. (88-99) What is passive resistance? Soul-force?

 

13. (96, also fn. 193) What are the four characteristics that are required for the service of the country?

 

Discussion Questions:

 

  1. Based on the discussions and guidelines for counterarguments that you have covered this quarter, how would you interpret the dialogue between the Editor and the Reader in Hind Swaraj?  In other words, does Gandhi (as the Editor) do a good job in his counterarguments to the Reader?
  2. Is it actually possible to be a Gandhian?  In other words, is it possible to apply Gandhi’s four characteristics required for a country’s service into political action?
  3. What does Gandhi mean by the following: “As time passes, the Nation is being forged. Nations are not formed in a day; the formation requires years.” (20)
  4. What kinds of counterarguments would you pose to Gandhi’s interpretations of Doctors, Lawyers, Parliament, Railways, Education and Machinery? 
  5. Discuss what Gandhi means when he says, “India cannot cease to be one nation because people belonging to different religions live in it.” (52)
  6. What is Gandhi’s understanding of gender in HS? (see his comments on prostitutes, working women, and manhood)
  7. How would Gandhi interpret the situation facing Michael Kohlhaas?  What would Gandhi say to Kohlhaas?