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Swaraj or Self-rule Swaraj is also one of the basic concepts of Gandhi's political philosophy which can be seen as a derivative of self realization in spirituality and extension of Swadeshi as an observance. The real goal of the freedom struggle was not only to ensure political independence from Britain, but rather to gain true Swaraj (selfrule) i.e. end of colonial rule or absolute government or monarchy, as well as demands for autonomy by religious, ethnic, or geographic regions which perceive themselves as being underrepresented in a national government. Swaraj first acquired its political meaning of independence) through its use in that sense by Nauroji and later through its popularization by Tilak. It is closely allied with the meaning of tapas or renunciation. Gandhi stated, “It is Swaraj when we learn to rule ourselves.” Further Purna Swaraj is an awakening among the masses, knowledge among them of their true interest and ability to serve the interest of the whole world to attain harmony, freedom from aggression from within or without, and a progressive improvement in the economic condition of the masses.
Self-rule is a self-achieved state of affairs, not something granted by others. It could not be granted even by God. We would have to earn it ourselves. Swaraj from its very nature is not in the giving of anybody. It depends entirely on our internal strength. For a person to be fully free it is not enough to have the external obstacles to freedom removed; it is equally necessary to have the internal obstacles removed as well. In his 'Constructive Programme' submitted to the Indian National Congress in 1941, Gandhi strongly reaffirmed his commitment to Swaraj, paraphrasing the meaning of the term as 'complete independence through Truth and nonviolence'. In retrospect, what appeared to Gandhi then as the central lesson of his book was the emphasis on moral self-rule and self-restraint: "The essence of what I have said is that man should rest content with what are his real needs
Gandhi & Jainism
Pg.187
