Question

Explain the term Swadeshi and Boycott in the context of the National Movement in India.

Answer 1

 Swadeshi:

1. Swadeshi means producing necessary items in one’s own country and using them for ones own use without being depending on foreign goods.
2. It aimed at producing necessary goods in indigenous industries for strengthening the nation. Great leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Raf were the supporters of swadeshi Movement.
3. Gandhiji emphasized manual labour and the use of the Charkha and Khadi i.e., Swadeshi products. The programme was directed towards social and economic upliftment.

Boycott: It means ‘abstaining from the purchase of British Goods’ Gradually, it became more comprehensive in scope and a four-hold programme of Boycott was advocated. It included:

1. Boycott of English cloth, salt, sugar etc.
2. Rejecton of English speech.
3. Rejection of Government posts, courts, educational institutions and seats in Legislative Councils.
4. Social Boycott of people who purchased or used foreign goods.
   Swadeshi and Boycott were the two sides of the coin; they were complementary to each other.