Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface to the centenary edition
- Acknowledgements
- Editor's introduction to the centenary edition
- Editor's introduction to the 1997 edition
- A note on the history of the text
- Principal events in Gandhi's life
- Biographical synopses
- Guide to further reading
- Glossary and abbreviations
- HIND SWARAJ
- Contents
- Preface to the English translation
- Foreword
- I The Congress and its officials
- II The Partition of Bengal
- III Discontent and unrest
- IV What is Swaraj?
- V The condition of England
- VI Civilisation
- VII Why was India lost?
- VIII The condition of India
- IX The condition of India (cont.): railways
- X The condition of India (cont.): the Hindus and the Mahomedans
- XI The condition of India (cont.): lawyers
- XII The condition of India (cont.): doctors
- XIII What is true civilisation?
- XIV How can India become free?
- XV Italy and India
- XVI Brute force
- XVII Passive resistance
- XVIII Education
- XIX Machinery
- XX Conclusion
- I APPENDICES
- SUPPLEMENTARY WRITINGS
- Bibliography
- Index
X - The condition of India (cont.): the Hindus and the Mahomedans
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 October 2014
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Preface to the centenary edition
- Acknowledgements
- Editor's introduction to the centenary edition
- Editor's introduction to the 1997 edition
- A note on the history of the text
- Principal events in Gandhi's life
- Biographical synopses
- Guide to further reading
- Glossary and abbreviations
- HIND SWARAJ
- Contents
- Preface to the English translation
- Foreword
- I The Congress and its officials
- II The Partition of Bengal
- III Discontent and unrest
- IV What is Swaraj?
- V The condition of England
- VI Civilisation
- VII Why was India lost?
- VIII The condition of India
- IX The condition of India (cont.): railways
- X The condition of India (cont.): the Hindus and the Mahomedans
- XI The condition of India (cont.): lawyers
- XII The condition of India (cont.): doctors
- XIII What is true civilisation?
- XIV How can India become free?
- XV Italy and India
- XVI Brute force
- XVII Passive resistance
- XVIII Education
- XIX Machinery
- XX Conclusion
- I APPENDICES
- SUPPLEMENTARY WRITINGS
- Bibliography
- Index
Summary
editor: Your last question is a serious one, and yet, on careful consideration, it will be found to be easy of solution. The question arises because of the presence of the railways, of the lawyers, and of the doctors. We shall presently examine the last two. We have already considered the railways. I should, however, like to add that man is so made by nature as to require him to restrict his movements as far as his hands and feet will take him. If we did not rush about from place to place by means of railways and such other maddening conveniences, much of the confusion that arises would be obviated. Our difficulties are of our own creation. God set a limit to a man's locomotive ambition in the construction of his body. Man immediately proceeded to discover means of overriding the limit. God gifted man with intellect that he might know his Maker. Man abused it, so that he might forget his Maker. I am so constructed that I can only serve my immediate neighbours, but, in my conceit, I pretend to have discovered that I must with my body serve every individual in the Universe. In thus attempting the impossible, man comes in contact with different natures, different religions, and is utterly confounded. According to this reasoning, it must be apparent to you that railways are a most dangerous institution. Man has therethrough gone further away from his Maker.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Gandhi: 'Hind Swaraj' and Other Writings , pp. 49 - 55Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2009