Hind Swaraj – Mahatma Gandhi

Brief Description of the Book

Hind Swaraj (1909) is Mahatma Gandhi’s foundational critique of modern civilisation, colonialism, and unethical politics. Written as a dialogue, it presents Gandhi’s vision of Swaraj not merely as political freedom, but as moral self-rule, rooted in truth, non-violence, restraint, decentralisation, and ethical means. The book is highly relevant for GS-2 (Governance & Democracy), GS-4 (Ethics), Essay, and questions on development models, sustainability, and constitutional morality.

The following extracts may be used in OPSC answer writing:

“Swaraj is not merely the transfer of power from British hands into Indian hands.”→ GS-2 Polity / Essay: Substantive democracy vs symbolic independence; quality of self-rule

“It is Swaraj when we learn to rule ourselves.”→ GS-4 Ethics / Essay: Self-discipline, ethical citizenship, moral autonomy

“Civilisation, in the real sense of the term, consists not in the multiplication of wants but in the deliberate and voluntary reduction of wants.”→ Essay / GS-3 / GS-4: Sustainable development, critique of consumerism, ethical living

“Means and ends are convertible terms.”→ GS-4 Ethics: Ethical means in governance, rejection of expediency, integrity in public life

“The railways, lawyers and doctors have impoverished the country.”→ Essay / GS-2: Critique of exploitative modern institutions
(Use analytically and critically, not literally; contextualise as Gandhi’s civilisational critique.)

“Modern civilisation is a disease.”→ Essay: Limits of uncritical modernity, environmental degradation, moral crisis
(Use carefully with explanation.)

“The force of love is the same as the force of the soul or truth.”→ GS-4 Ethics: Non-violence, moral persuasion, ethical conflict resolution

“Machinery has its place; it has come to stay.”→ GS-3 / Essay: Balanced view on technology; appropriate technology, human-centric development

“A nation of village republics.”→ GS-2 Governance: Decentralisation, Panchayati Raj, grassroots democracy

“Real home rule is self-rule or self-control.”→ GS-4 Ethics / Essay: Discipline, restraint, ethical freedom

“Passive resistance is a method of securing rights by personal suffering.”→ GS-4 Ethics / Essay: Moral courage, non-violent protest, civil resistance

“Good government is no substitute for self-government.”→ GS-2 Polity / Essay: Participatory democracy, active citizenship