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Questions about Swadeshi movement

Short answers, pulled from the story.

When did the Swadeshi movement formally begin and where?

The Swadeshi movement formally began on the 7th of August 1905 at Town Hall in Calcutta. Rich Indians donated money and land to support Khadi societies that started producing cloth in every household.

Who introduced the Patti Charkha spinning wheel for the Swadeshi movement and when?

Mahatma Gandhi introduced the Patti Charkha spinning wheel in Mumbai during 1918. He presented it as a new symbol and tool for the Swadeshi movement to make locals self-reliant in spinning yarn.

What were the dates for the four phases of the Swadeshi movement?

The First Swadeshi Movement ran from 1850 to 1918 under leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak and V.O. Chidambaram Pillai. The Second Phase spanned 1918 to 1947 when Mahatma Gandhi gained momentum through his campaigns. The Third Phase covered 1947 to 1991 with Nehruvian Socialism focusing on import substitution and public sector expansion. The Fourth Phase began in 1991 when Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao shifted toward liberalization and globalization.

Why did Mahatma Gandhi burn English cloths at Elpinstone Mill Compound on the 31st of July 1921?

On the 31st of July 1921, he took a pledge to boycott foreign goods by burning 150,000 English cloths at Elpinstone Mill Compound in Parel. Indians started ditching British products even though they were costlier than local alternatives to challenge British economic control.

What is National Handloom Day and why was it established on the 7th of August 2015?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi commemorated the first annual National Handloom Day in India on the 7th of August 2015. This date was chosen because it marked when the movement was proclaimed in 1905 to avoid foreign goods.