Hind Swaraj By Mahatma Gandhi: Chapter XVIII-Education

Hind Swaraj: Chapter XVIII-Education By: Mahatma Gandhi

Summary:

The essay `Education’ begins with a question that in India, there is no provision for compulsory education. Recently, Maharaja Gaekwar had started this system which is really praiseworthy but it is not certain whether this effort would be successful or not. Gandhi tells that in the highest civilization like ours, such an effort is not much useful, still whatever the Maharaja has done shows his real intentions and we must praise him but before all this, we must understand the real meaning of education.

According to Gandhi, education does not mean simply the knowledge of letters. We can use this education both for good or bad, which is just like a medicine that can cure or kill the patient. But if we make a general assessment, we will find that it has proved more harmful than useful. Primary education means teaching the students reading, writing and arithmetic. But for a farmer who earns his living with very hard labor, such an education is useless and meaningless.

For him the only meaning of education is to observe morality in life. For him the knowledge of letters is not needed at all and it makes no difference if he cannot write even his name. Instead of adding to his happiness, such an education will simply create dissatisfaction in him against his backwardness and poverty.

He will be then influenced by Western thoughts and ways of life. So we can conclude that this education should not be given to the people in general.

So far as higher education and the learning of subjects like algebra. geography and astronomy are concerned, they cannot help us in any way. According to Huxley, real education means to train a youth in such a way that he does all his works with ease and pleasure. He has clear intellect, and uses the best of logic. His mind is a store house of the basic truths of nature and he is capable of controlling his passions. He hates evils and respects everybody.

Only such an educated man can help himself and others. In the opinion of Gandhi, the present education does not help anybody in controlling senses and passions and so it is useless. It neither develops good qualities nor teaches us our duty.

Gandhi further stresses the fact that without the present higher education, there cannot be any harm to anybody. We cannot use this education in our working or achievement of our desires. Gandhi calls it false education and that it is proving more harmful. But in spite of all this, the importance of education cannot be neglected.

We must not use it as a source and instrument of gaming everything in our life. With the help of education, we should learn to control our emotions so it is not necessary to make education compulsory. Therefore, our ancient system of education was very useful. Moreover the present English education is not at all necessary for getting freedom. The system of education evolved by Macaulay creating simply slaves because we cannot get freedom by speaking foreign language.

We are following that system of education which has been rejected by the Europeans and we are ignorant of the fact what changes they have made in their country. The Welshmen are taught in their Welsh language. While we are writing faulty English, we do all our works in English language and if we continue in this way, the future generations cannot pardon us for this great damage

It is also important to note, that only this craze for English is responsible for making our country a slave. English knowing Indians have developed numberless evils like Tyranny, hypocrisy, cheating and terror. It is really unfortunate that even in the courts, English language is the medium and the barristers are not able to speak Hindi.

Whatever they say, is translated into our mother tongue by another man. This is a great tally and a sign of slavery. But for all this condition, not the English but the Indians themselves are responsible. But there is another great difficulty that in the present society, we cannot do without the knowledge of English language. In our contact with the English people and the educated Indians, even in our correspondence, we need the knowledge of English. Those who have learnt English, teach the lessons of morality to their children in their mother tongue but when they grow up, they learn English. It is also important that we should learn to a limited extent. We must know what we are going to learn in English.

If we consider carefully, we can understand that the English degrees are not necessary for us. For the achievement of this aim, it is most necessary to improve our own languages and to learn them properly. The valuable English books should be translated into different Indian languages and religious education should be given the highest place.

We should adopt provincial languages like Hindi, Sanskrit, Persian and Arabic. The common language of India should be Hindi and thus we can achieve the aim of national integration and it will help us in turning the English language out of our education system. It will also help us in making ourselves free.

Indians can never be godless and atheists. Unfortunately our religious teachers have forgotten their duty and have become false and selfish. If the religious teachers like the Mullahs and Brahmins perform their duties honestly, the whole energy that we have got from English education can be easily devoted to religious education.

This work of cleaning can be performed quite easily. In order to achieve our past glory, we will have to return our ancient great civilization and progress and reforms will be created by themselves. Once we drive out the western civilization, everything will be easily reformed.

LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS

Q. 1. Summarize the views of Gandhi about contemporary education and its chief weakness.

Ans. The essay Education, included in The Hind Swaraj shows Gandhi as a versatile thinker. Here he has analyzed the present education. He proves that English education has many weaknesses and does not help children in the development of their personality. In the beginning Gandhi praises the efforts of Maharaja of Gaekwar in this direction. He had made primary education compulsory but at the same time Gandhi warned about the knowledge of letters because only this cannot be helpful. It can be used for constructive as well as destructive purposes. He tells that if a man earns his bread honestly, respects the members of his family and observes the rules of religion and morality, he is a man of real knowledge even if he is illiterate. Such a man does not need any formal education. Moreover, the present education will not help him in the least. In this reference Gandhi has given reference to the views of Huxley. Man must realize and respect the emotion of others and for this man the learning of letters is quite useless. He concludes that elementary or higher education is not essential but his aim is not to reject the importance of education in human life. The ancient Indian Education system was great and successful because its main aim was the building of the character of the child. While the present English Education has overlooked this important aspect. The English also realize it and they are changing but we are unfortunately still following it.

He also talks about national language and cites the example of Wales. Wales teaches the children their own language. But we do not follow this principle in our country. We write English even though it is quite wrong. We use English everywhere, in the newspaper and the great books. Our proceedings in the meetings are also written in English. We must stop this habit and use our own language or the future generation will certainly curse us for this folly. His chief stress is that we should do our work in our native language. The children should be taught in the same way and English should be used as little as possible. The mother tongue as the medium of education is the most essential thing. For success in this aim, we must try that all the valuable books in English must be translated into various Indian languages. The mother tongue should be the medium of our daily life and the mother tongue should not be overlooked in any way. The children should be taught the lessons of religion and morality. The Western civilization should be turned out and all else will follow.

Q.2 Discuss Gandhi’s advocacy for incorporating Indian languages, literature, and cultural heritage into the curriculum as a means of fostering national pride and self-confidence.

How does Gandhi propose to balance the need for modern scientific and technical education with the preservation of indigenous wisdom and values?

Ans. In Chapter XVIII of “Hind Swaraj,” Mahatma Gandhi stresses the significance of embracing indigenous knowledge and traditions in education. He believes that by incorporating Indian languages, literature, and cultural heritage into the curriculum, people can develop a stronger sense of national pride and self-confidence.

Gandhi argues that education should not only focus on Western ideas but also celebrate the rich heritage of India. By teaching in Indian languages and studying literature and history from India’s diverse cultures, people can feel connected to their roots and develop a deep appreciation for their country’s heritage. This, in turn, fosters a sense of pride in being Indian and boosts self-confidence among students. To balance the need for modern scientific and technical education with the preservation of indigenous wisdom and values, Gandhi suggests a harmonious integration of both. He acknowledges the importance of modern knowledge for progress but believes it should be complemented by traditional wisdom. This means teaching subjects like science and technology alongside Indian philosophy, ethics, and traditional skills. Gandhi proposes a curriculum that offers a holistic education, blending modern and traditional subjects. For instance, while teaching science, educators can also incorporate lessons on sustainable living practices derived from Indian traditions. Similarly, while promoting technical skills, there can be a focus on indigenous crafts and arts. Furthermore, Gandhi emphasizes experiential learning and practical skills development. He believes that education should not just be about memorizing facts but also about acquiring useful skills that can benefit society. By encouraging hands-on learning, such as farming, weaving, or carpentry, students can gain practical knowledge while also preserving traditional crafts. Moreover, Gandhi advocates for community-based education, where learning is not confined to classrooms but extends to interactions with the local community. This approach allows students to learn from their surroundings, appreciate local customs, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

In essence, Gandhi’s vision for education prioritizes the integration of Indian languages, literature, and cultural heritage into the curriculum to instill national pride and self-confidence. He proposes a balanced approach that combines modern scientific and technical education with the preservation of indigenous wisdom and values. By embracing both aspects, Gandhi believes that education can empower individuals to lead fulfilling lives while also contributing positively to society.

SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS

Q. 1. What is Gandhi’s opinion about the condition of education in present India?

Ans. Gandhi says that simply the knowledge of letters is not education. The education of reading and writing given to children is popular as primary education but it does not help in making us full man and development of our personality. The most important aim of primary education is the building to character. Even a peasant has ordinary knowledge of everyday life though he has not been educated anywhere. He earns his livelihood honestly and observes the rules of morality and is always contented with his condition. The present Western education in India can never create moral values among the children. We are adopting the western system and are leaving away the real values of life. Even higher education has failed on this level.

Q. 2. What is the impact of English Education on Indian life?

Ans. Gandhi opines that the chief aim of imparting the knowledge of English to millions of Indian was only to enslave them. The foundation that Macaulay laid of education had enslaved us. It is unfortunate that we talk about home rule in a Foreign language. Gandhi completely rejects the use of English in our day to day activities. He says, “We write to each other in faulty English Our best thoughts are expressed in English. Thus the entire education has been enslaved by the English Education. We use English in courts, schools and colleges”.

Q.3. What steps should be taken to promote our National Education?

Ans. Gandhi asserts that our native language must have central place in education. We should make efforts to improve all the Indian languages. Those English books which are considered valuable must be translated into various Indian language. Moreover, the moral and religion education must be the given the most important place. All the Indians must know their national language as well as the provincial language. Hindi should be treated the language of our medium of education and all this is necessary if we want to gain freedom at the earliest. Regarding moral education, Gandhi says, “India will never be godless. Rank atheism cannot fluerish in that land.” We should return to our own civilization through our language and it will bring the freedom for our nation.

OBJECTIVE TYPE QUESTIONS

1. When did Gandhi write Hind Swaraj?

(a) 1909

(b) 1915

(d) 1900.

2. How did Gandhi himself describe this work?

(a) Patriotic work

(b) National work

(d) Original work.

3. In which script was Hind Swaraj originally written?

(a) English

(b) Gujarati

(d) No.

4. Which style has Gandhi adopted in writing Hind Swaraj ?

(a) Dialogue

(b) Essay

(d) None.

5. What is the basic feeling running through Hind Swaraj ?

(a) Universality

(b) Patriotic feelings

(d) None of them.

6. What was the title of the English translation of Hind Swaraj?

(a) Freedom

(b) Full Freedom

(d) Awakening.

7. What type of education is essential for the Indians ?

(a) Three Alphabets

(b) Spiritual

(d) National.

8. What was the main task before colonial India according to Gandhi ?

(a) Swaraj

(b) Revolution

(d) None.

9. Who does Gandhi call the ‘nation of shopkeepers’ ?

(a) France

(b) Germany

(d) Italy.

10. The dialogue in the essay The Condition India takes place between :

(a) Gandhi and his followers

(b) Gandhi and the Englishman

(d) None of them.

11. What did Macaulay call the Indians ?

(a) Illiterate fools

(b) Worthless worms

(d) Black fools.

12. What is crushing India most in the opinion of Gandhi ?

(a) The English

(b) Modern civilization

(d) Own countrymen.

(b) Turning Athiest

13. What is the present religious condition of India?

(a) Going away from God

(b) Turning Athiest

(d) None.

14. How do the English blame the Indians?

(a) Wild

(b) Uncultured

(d) Superstitious.

15. What has Gandhi compared modern civilization with?

(a) mouse

(b) elephant

(d) lion.

16. Which factor is responsible for the destruction of India?

(a) Modern civilization

(b) Colonialism

(d) Injustice.

17. What is the better way for Indians to console themselves?

(a) Accept modernity

(b) Reject Industrialisation

(d) All of them.

18. What is the ordinary meaning of education?

(a) Read books

(b) Knowledge of letters

(d) Knowledge of literature.

19. What should be the aim of real education?

(a) Teach our duties

(b) Make us religious

(d) All of them.

20. What is the result of English education in India?

(a) Enslaving them

(b) Widening their knowledge

(d) None.

ANSWERS

1. (a) 2. (d) 3. (b) 4. (a) 5. (b) 6. (c) 7. (b) 8. (a) 9. (c ) 10. (c ) 11. (c) 12. (b) 13. (a) 14. (c ) 15. (a) 16. (a) 17. (c ) 18. (b ) 19. (d) 20. (a)