Hind Swaraj

by

Mohandas K. Gandhi

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Gandhi defines modern civilization as a way of life that prioritizes material welfare over spiritual welfare. Although a just society must meet its citizens’ material needs, modern civilization focuses on endlessly satisfying people’s material wants. In the process, it enslaves and impoverishes most of humanity (like Indians under the British Empire) and spiritually impoverishes everyone. While the English introduced modern civilization to India, Gandhi believes it’s Indians’ responsibility to eradicate it.

Modern civilization Quotes in Hind Swaraj

The Hind Swaraj quotes below are all either spoken by Modern civilization or refer to Modern civilization. For each quote, you can also see the other terms and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Passive Resistance and Indian Independence Theme Icon
).
Preface Quotes

I do not know why Hind Swaraj has been seized in India. To me, the seizure constitutes further condemnation of the civilisation represented by the British Government. There is in the book not a trace of approval of violence in any shape or form. The methods of the British Government are, undoubtedly, severely condemned. To do otherwise would be for me to be a traitor to Truth, to India, and to the Empire to which I own allegiance.

Page Number: 7
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 4 Quotes

You have well drawn the picture. In effect it means this: that we want English rule without the Englishman. You want the tiger's nature, but not the tiger; that is to say, you would make India English, and, when it becomes English, it will be called not Hindustan but Englistan. This is not the Swaraj that I want.

Related Characters: The Editor (speaker), The Reader
Page Number: 27
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 6 Quotes

Let us first consider what state of things is described by the word “civilisation.” Its true test lies in the fact that people living in it make bodily welfare the object of life.

Related Characters: The Editor (speaker)
Page Number: 34
Explanation and Analysis:

It has been stated that, as men progress, they shall be able to travel in airships and reach any part of the world in a few hours. Men will not need the use of their hands and feet. They will press a button and they will have their clothing by their side. They will press another button and they will have their newspaper. A third, and a motorcar will be in waiting for them. They will have a variety of delicately dished-up food. Everything will be done by machinery.

Related Characters: The Editor (speaker)
Page Number: 35
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 8 Quotes

Religion is dear to me, and my first complaint is that India is becoming irreligious. Here I am not thinking of the Hindu, the Mahomedan, or the Zoroastrian religion, but of that religion which underlies all religions. We are turning away from God. […] Hinduism, Islamism, Zoroastrianism, Christianity and all other religions teach that we should remain passive about worldly pursuits and active about godly pursuits, that we should set a limit to our worldly ambition, and that our religious ambition should be illimitable.

Related Characters: The Editor (speaker)
Page Number: 41-42
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 13 Quotes

Civilisation is that mode of conduct which points out to man the path of duty. Performance of duty and observance of morality are convertible terms. To observe morality is to attain mastery over our mind and our passions. So doing, we know ourselves. The Gujarati equivalent for civilisation means “good conduct.”

Related Characters: The Editor (speaker)
Page Number: 65
Explanation and Analysis:

A nation with a constitution like this is fitter to teach others than to learn from others. This nation had courts, lawyers and doctors, but they were all within bounds. Everybody knew that these professions were not particularly superior; moreover, these vakils and vaids did not rob people; they were considered people's dependants, not their masters. Justice was tolerably fair. The ordinary rule was to avoid courts. There were no touts to lure people into them. This evil, too, was noticeable only in and around capitals. The common people lived independently, and followed their agricultural occupation. They enjoyed true Home Rule.

Related Characters: The Editor (speaker)
Page Number: 67-68
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 20 Quotes

1. Real home-rule is self-rule or self-control.
2. The way to it is passive resistance: that is soul-force or love-force.
3. In order to exert this force, Swadeshi in every sense is necessary.
4. What we want to do should be done, not because we object to the English or that we want to retaliate, but because it is our duty to do so. Thus, supposing that the English remove the salt-tax, restore our money, give the highest posts to Indians, withdraw the English troops, we shall certainly not use their machine-made goods, nor use the English language, nor many of their industries. It is worth noting that these things are, in their nature, harmful; hence we do not want them. I bear no enmity towards the English, but I do towards their civilisation.

Related Characters: The Editor (speaker)
Page Number: 116-117
Explanation and Analysis:
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Modern civilization Term Timeline in Hind Swaraj

The timeline below shows where the term Modern civilization appears in Hind Swaraj. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Preface
Passive Resistance and Indian Independence Theme Icon
Modern Civilization and Colonialism Theme Icon
...defends truth, morality, and the ancient Indian civilization that Britain wants to crush with its modern civilization . But where others call for violence, Gandhi insists on nonviolence. His perspective is influenced... (full context)
Chapter 5: The condition of England
Modern Civilization and Colonialism Theme Icon
The Personal and the Political Theme Icon
...did try to emulate England, India would ruin itself. The editor blames England’s failures on modern civilization . (full context)
Chapter 6: Civilization
Modern Civilization and Colonialism Theme Icon
The Personal and the Political Theme Icon
...their civilization, even if most people instinctively defend it. The defining feature of industrial or modern civilization is that it sees “bodily welfare” as the main goal in life. Europeans constantly try... (full context)
Modern Civilization and Colonialism Theme Icon
But modern civilization ’s technology also enslaves people: the wealthy now force everyone else to work for them... (full context)
Chapter 8: The condition of India
Modern Civilization and Colonialism Theme Icon
Indian Nationhood and Identity Theme Icon
...admits that it saddens and exhausts him. India is suffering from all the vices of modern civilization . Worst of all, Indians are rejecting religion—not any particular religion, but the common beliefs... (full context)
Passive Resistance and Indian Independence Theme Icon
Modern Civilization and Colonialism Theme Icon
The Personal and the Political Theme Icon
Indian Nationhood and Identity Theme Icon
...out that fraudsters will distort any teachings and are much more common among defenders of modern civilization . The reader notes that religious conflicts kill many people. The editor replies that true... (full context)
Chapter 9: The condition of India (cont.): railways
Modern Civilization and Colonialism Theme Icon
...to convince him, and the editor replies that he has much more evidence to present. Modern civilization is like a hidden disease, whose dangers aren’t clear until it’s too late. In fact,... (full context)
Chapter 12: The condition of India (cont.): doctors
Modern Civilization and Colonialism Theme Icon
The Personal and the Political Theme Icon
...for corrupting India. Noting that Western writers have strongly influenced his view, the editor compares modern civilization to the toxic Upas tree, which poisons everything around it. The tree’s branches represent “parasitical... (full context)
Chapter 13: What is true civilisation?
Modern Civilization and Colonialism Theme Icon
The Personal and the Political Theme Icon
Indian Nationhood and Identity Theme Icon
Since that the editor rejects modern civilization , the reader asks what true civilization means. The editor replies that Indian civilization is... (full context)
Chapter 14: How can India become free?
Modern Civilization and Colonialism Theme Icon
The Personal and the Political Theme Icon
Indian Nationhood and Identity Theme Icon
The editor says that freeing India requires removing the root cause of its slavery: modern civilization . If Indians can achieve Swaraj (self-rule) then India as a whole will overcome its... (full context)
Chapter 19: Machinery
Modern Civilization and Colonialism Theme Icon
Indian Nationhood and Identity Theme Icon
...rejects electricity and tram-cars, and the editor says yes: they are both harmful results of modern civilization . But the editor admits that printing machines are useful. “Sometimes poison is used to... (full context)