Khadi: Symbol of Freedom Struggle In India
- Nidhi Shegokar
- Aug 27, 2023
- 2 min read
In 1917, the national sentiment materialised into the initial uprising against colonial rule, with Mahatma Gandhi assuming the leadership of the nonviolent struggle for India's independence. Among Gandhi's early endeavours was the initiation of a civil disobedience movement, urging Indians to discard factory-made clothing produced by British companies using Indian fabric. This act symbolised a patriotic ethos encouraging Indians to honour their land and heritage. Khadi, the hand-spun and hand-woven Indian cotton fabric, emerged as the nonviolent weapon wielded by the Indian populace against their colonial rulers, gaining support from nationalist politicians and Indian mill owners during the first two decades of the 20th century.
In 1922, Mahatma Gandhi called upon the Indian National Congress to establish a khadi department. As the workload expanded, a semi-autonomous entity known as the All India Khadi Board was established in 1924, working in conjunction with the INC's khadi department at regional and district levels. The All India Spinner Association, encompassing the khadi department and AIKB, was formed in 1925, with Gandhi as its founder. Gandhi mandated that all INC members must personally engage in cotton spinning and pay their dues in yarn. To promote spinning and weaving, Gandhi raised substantial funds to create grassroots-level khadi institutions endorsed by AISA. Despite the higher cost and lower quality of handspun yarn, Gandhi advocated for its use, contending that mill owners would monopolise their own cloth and deprive handloom weavers of yarn access.
In 1919, Gandhi commenced spinning at Mani Bhavan in Mumbai, encouraging others to follow suit. He introduced the Patti Charkha, employing a double-wheel design to enhance speed and control while reducing size. In 1946, during efforts to enhance charkha productivity, Gandhi recommended the takli over the charkha.
In 1921, Gandhi journeyed to Chandina Upazila in Comilla, Bangladesh, to inspire local weavers, leading to the establishment of weaving centres in the broader Comilla region, including Mainamati, Muradnagar, Gauripur, and Chandina.
The khadi movement originated in 1918, characterised by its evolving dynamics. Initially focused on khadi as an economic solution due to stagnation, from 1934 onward, the fabric took on a more self-sustaining role for villagers. Even up to the present time, Khadi continues to stand as an emblem of liberty, self-sufficiency, and independence in India.