Mohandas K. Gandhi

“ We did not conquer India for the benefit of the Indians. I know it is said at missionary mectings that we conquered India. We conquered India to raise the level of the Indians. That is cant. We conquered India as the outlet for the goods of Great Britain. We conquered India by the sword and by the sword we should hold it. ”

“ Why should truth be at all unpalatable? It must do us good to know ourselves as we are—destined to be ‘hewers of wood and drawers of water’ for the benefit of whomsoever will claim us by the prowess of his sword. It is good too that due emphasis is laid on Lancashire goods. The sword will be sheathed as soon as Manchester calico ceases to be saleable in India. ”

“ Like opium production the world manufacture of swords needs to be restricted. The sword is probably responsible for more misery in the world than opium. Hence do I say that if India takes to the spinning wheel she will contribute to the restriction of armament and peace of the world as no other country and nothing else can. ”