Analysis of Mohandas Gandhi’s Letter to Lord Irwin

Mohandas Gandhi’s letter to Lord Irwin

Mohandas Gandhi’s letter to Lord Irwin describes the impact of British rule in India while calling for an awakening to drive out the colonialists from the nation and restore independence and freedom to the people. Gandhi’s primary purpose in writing the letter was to point out how British rule is degrading India’s growth both economically and politically. The author presents this argument through a personal and emotional appeal to the people, explicitly pointing out the oppression of the reduced, high tax rates with poor economic standards[1]. Gandhi is an Indian with strong belief in his country; this helps him in his advocacy towards a non-violent civil action to save India from oppression and ruin. His intended audience comprised of the British rulers, the Indian government and the public since it called for every individual’s effort to deliver freedom to India. He uses a direct tone with a careful choice of words to solicit immediate reaction from the reader.

The great betrayal

A publication titled the listener, published by the British Broadcasting Corporation outlines the sentiments of Winston Churchill, by then a retired Member of Parliament. Churchill’s opinions recorded under the subtitle The Great Betrayal illustrate on how different players had divisions on the independence of India as a state, citing the argument of some political figures who had opposed the opinion of the subject. For example, Churchill notes on the verdict of a practical experience that involves one of the then politician Sir Samuel Hoare on his sentiments concerning granting Indians freedom from a colony which he terms as sarcastic since Samuel asserts to have all authorities behind him[2]. One of the aspects that makes this article authentic and superb is the accurate accounts from a former Member of Parliament who worked in the government during the period when all the events were unveiling. There is mention of public figures who participated directly in the British government and the proper timeline.

Indian Home Rule

Another evidence for the effectiveness of primary sources in historical accounts chronology comes out on the document titled Indian Home Rule. The material that authors in the book The Human Record: Sources of Global History utilize brings a sense of connection between history and the contextual and timely happenings of the events during historical India. The authors outline ideas such as civilization and the colonization of great Asia due to the introduction of western culture in the region. The book while utilizing this primary source notes that the attack by Gandhi on Indian civilization got support and moves on to reveals the reasons as mentioned in page 388 of the book[3]. The credibility of the book could be in questions was it not for such original documents that facilitate the findings and create historical happenings with a precise sequence of events. It is absolute that the players during this period noted their speeches and the book utilizes them such as letters and other periodicals to formulate a comprehensive account of the Indian Home Rule.

Bibliography

Andrea, Alfred J., and James H. Overfield. The human record: Sources of global history, volume II: since 1500. Cengage Learning, 2015.

Mohandas K. Gandhi. First Letter to Lord Irwin: March 2, 1930 letter to Viceroy, Lord Irwin, announcing plans for Salt Satyagraha

Winston Churchill.  The Great Betrayal: British Broadcasting Corporation, Volume xiii, 1995

[1] Mohandas K. Gandhi. First Letter to Lord Irwin:,  March 2, 1930 letter to Viceroy, Lord Irwin, announcing plans for Salt Satyagraha

[2] Winston Churchill The Great Betrayal: British Broadcasting Corporation, Volume xiii, 1995

[3]

Andrea, Alfred J., and James H. Overfield. The human record: Sources of global history, volume II: since 1500. Cengage Learning, 2015.