Satyagraha, or truth-force, is a philosophy and strategy that considers the use of violence as a bankrupt tactic that should be replaced with nonviolent passive resistance. The practitioners have worked to perfect their resolve by cleansing their souls of hatred, ambition, and greed so that what remains is loving compassion. Thus armed, the peaceful warrior may confront a criminal or an illegitimate authority not with anger but with acceptance and pity. In such an encounter, only the peaceful resister can be injured; this avoids the ethical problem of causing harm to others.

Swaraj, self-rule or Home Rule, is the name of the movement for Indian independence. For Gandhi, Home Rule literally begins at home—that is, in the hearts of each Indian, who must first rule him or herself. Without that inner wisdom and control, nothing can come of India’s quest for freedom; with it, freedom is possible in almost no time. Where the British colonial system is comprehensive and all-controlling, Swaraj looks to a decentralized form of self-governance. Hind Swaraj is Gandhi’s instruction manual on how to achieve true Home Rule.