Question

What is meant by Swadeshi and Boycott Movement? How did it help in arousing the feeling of nationalism among the Indian people?

Answer 1

The Swadeshi movement was a part of the Indian Independence Movement. It was an economic strategy that sought to remove British rule by following the principles of self-sufficiency (swadeshi). This strategy was based on the idea that th foundation of British rule in India was the economic dependency of India on Britain. Indian industries had been destroyed by British rule as a result of which, India was almost entirely reliant on imports from Britain for manufactured goods like textile. It was argued that by becoming self-sufficient, India could weaken the economic foundation of British rule. The Swadeshi movement started with the partition of Bengal in 1905 and continued up to 1911.

Boycott was one of the tactics used in the Swadeshi movement. It involved the boycott of British products like cotton textile manufactured in Britain. Instead, leaders of the movement advocated the use of Indian products.