The Story of My Experiments with Truth · Chapter
Recruiting Campaign explained
Gandhi attends the Viceregal conference and supports the recruiting resolution, speaking in Hindustani.
What happens
Gandhi attends the Viceregal conference and supports the recruiting resolution, speaking in Hindustani. He writes a letter to the Viceroy expressing regret for the exclusion of leaders like Tilak and the Ali brothers, and outlining the people's political and Muslim demands. He then begins a recruiting campaign in Kheda, facing difficulties in obtaining volunteers and carts, but perseveres with his coworkers on foot, carrying their own food.
Themes in this chapter
Nonviolence and Satyagraha
Gandhi justifies his participation in the war effort as a means to popularize soul-force (love-force) over brute force, and to demonstrate the law of suffering.
Social Justice and Anti-Colonialism
Gandhi advocates for the repeal of the Arms Act, Home Rule, and the rights of Muslim states, linking the war effort to India's political aspirations.
Service and Community Leadership
Gandhi leads the recruiting campaign in Kheda, walking 20 miles a day with volunteers and carrying their own food, despite public reluctance.
Characters to notice
- Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
Attends the Viceregal conference, supports the recruiting resolution, writes a letter to the Viceroy, and leads the recruiting campaign in Kheda.
- Vallabhbhai Patel
Participates in the conference at Nadiad regarding the recruiting campaign.
- Lokamanya Tilak
Mentioned as one of the leaders excluded from the conference, whose absence Gandhi regrets.
- Mrs. Besant
Mentioned as one of the leaders excluded from the conference, whose absence Gandhi regrets.
- C. F. Andrews
Suggests the Rev. Ireland to carry Gandhi's letter to the Viceroy.
- Principal Sushil Rudra
Suggests the Rev. Ireland to carry Gandhi's letter to the Viceroy.
Key passages
“I spoke but one sentence to this effect: 'With a full sense of my responsibility I beg to support the resolution.'”
Gandhi stated simply that he supported the resolution with full awareness of his duty.
Gandhi's brief speech at the Viceregal conference in Hindustani.
“If we want the Arms Act to be repealed, if we want to learn the use of arms, here is a golden opportunity.”
Gandhi argued that supporting the war effort could lead to the repeal of the Arms Act and allow Indians to learn weapon use.
Gandhi's argument in a leaflet to encourage enlistment.
“I recognize that in the hour of its danger we must give, as we have decided to give, ungrudging and unequivocal support to the Empire of which we aspire in the near future to be partners in the same sense as the Dominions overseas.”
Gandhi affirmed that India must support the British Empire during wartime, with the expectation of becoming equal partners like the dominions.
From Gandhi's letter to the Viceroy explaining his support for the war.