Gandhi’s Hind Swaraj: A resistance against West

Abstract

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi had always envisioned an Independent India which is free from the British Raj not just politically, but also sociologically, culturally and ideologically from the influence of the west. In his book Hind Swaraj he explicates his understanding of “Swaraj”, “Modern Civilization” and the nature of the increasingly “mechanical world”. His views often seem to be “Anti-modern” in nature. However, in this paper an attempt has been made to show how on the contrary Gandhi's views can be read as “Modern” and very much relevant to the times he lived. His vision of an “Alternate worldview” free from western influence can be read as “modern” and “novel” in its own right.