'For me, there is nothing in the political world more important than the spinning wheel.' This famous quote from Gandhi refers to the charkha , a manual device that spins fibers and creates khadi , a very common fabric in India that was traditionally made with cotton.
But why are we telling you this story about a spinning machine and cotton? Well, because with this phrase Gandhi transformed the spinning machine and khadi, a type of cotton, as a symbol of resistance. As an object that encapsulated his ideology and represented his desire to change things. In fact, for him, khadi was 'the fabric of freedom'.
Gandhi statue with a khadi
In the early 20th century, Gandhi's era of activism turned crafts into a tool of protest against British colonization that had long exploited India's cotton crops. Gandhi thought that khadi could be a path to independence for Indians. He was the leader of the boycott of English products, including clothing that came from that country. He was responsible for promoting the use of the spinning wheel to make khadi cotton at home by hand.
After ruling for almost 300 years, the British finally left India in 1947 and the Indian government officially recognized khadi , regulating the cottage industry and protecting the many manufacturing cooperatives across India. Khadi became a symbol of a united and disciplined nation.
Currently, crafts continue to exist in very small workshops or artisans' houses, where they weave with khadi and make garments and objects that are highly recognized in the country. Products made with khadi are a way of reclaiming the local product and own design, showing the capacity of Indians to develop their textile industry.
You already know that for us India is a country of inspiration. And stories like these motivate us to continue getting to know the country and its history to understand the importance of the textile industry. Khadi not only represents a tradition but also a movement that encouraged millions of Indians to empower themselves and fight for their independence through simplicity and manual work.
But why are we telling you this story about a spinning machine and cotton? Well, because with this phrase Gandhi transformed the spinning machine and khadi, a type of cotton, as a symbol of resistance. As an object that encapsulated his ideology and represented his desire to change things. In fact, for him, khadi was 'the fabric of freedom'.
Gandhi statue with a khadi
In the early 20th century, Gandhi's era of activism turned crafts into a tool of protest against British colonization that had long exploited India's cotton crops. Gandhi thought that khadi could be a path to independence for Indians. He was the leader of the boycott of English products, including clothing that came from that country. He was responsible for promoting the use of the spinning wheel to make khadi cotton at home by hand.
Gandhi with a spinning machine.
Currently, crafts continue to exist in very small workshops or artisans' houses, where they weave with khadi and make garments and objects that are highly recognized in the country. Products made with khadi are a way of reclaiming the local product and own design, showing the capacity of Indians to develop their textile industry.
National Geographic report on Pramod Shah, a craftsman who spins cotton in a charkha
You already know that for us India is a country of inspiration. And stories like these motivate us to continue getting to know the country and its history to understand the importance of the textile industry. Khadi not only represents a tradition but also a movement that encouraged millions of Indians to empower themselves and fight for their independence through simplicity and manual work.
