Khadi as a Symbol of Self-Reliance: Internalizing Swadeshi in Postcolonial India

Abstract

This research examines the symbolic and practical internalization of Gandhi’s Swadeshi movement through the promotion of khadi. It analyzes how khadi became a tool for economic independence and cultural identity, and how its adoption reflects the internalization of Gandhian ideals of simplicity, sustainability, and self-reliance. The paper also evaluates the resurgence of khadi in contemporary fashion and its socio-political implications.