Railroads: Agencies for Evil?

        Chapter IX of Gandhi’s ‘Hind Swaraj’ addresses his opinions toward railroads and the subsequent degradation of Indian civilization. Throughout this section of the text, Gandhi expresses strong opinions toward railroads, going as far as saying that they “propagate evil” (47). We see in this chapter that Gandhi argues that instead of bringing India together as railroads claim, they have in fact segregated the people, destroyed the land, and marred the sanctity of some of the most sacred areas throughout India. While lofty, this claim is not without evidence, as Gandhi explains to the reader, and he proceeds to show how the English, through their creation of the railroad have ruined Indian civilization.

Early in the ‘Hind Swaraj,’ Gandhi explains the Indians as a people, “intoxicated by modern civilization,” which is why they fail to see the harm that is being done (34). He states that, “a man, whilst he is dreaming believes in his dream; he is undeceived only when he is awakened” (34). Later in chapter IX, Gandhi continues, “railways, lawyers, and doctors have impoverished the country so much that, if we do not wake up in time, we shall be ruined” (46). Railways specifically, he argues, are the reason that the English are able to maintain the firm hold they have on India. Gandhi explains that the separation of the Indians that occurred before the establishment railways allowed for pilgrimages, which were a show of faith. Now, the Indians have become careless and “the holy places of India have become unholy” (46). They do not need to take these pilgrimages to far places anymore because they can rely on the railways to do the work for them. This laziness, according to Gandhi, is what is degrading Indian civilization.

The English argue that the state of India was divided, and that it was them through the railways, who brought the people together. Gandhi, however, argues that these railways have in fact incited and perpetually exacerbated the division of India. Gandhi states, “it was after the advent of the railways that we began to believe in distinctions” (48). In addition, we see that the railways have sped up the life and civilization in India, which Gandhi asserts is bad. “Good travels at a snail’s pace,” he states, “but evil has wings” (46). As Gandhi has maintained throughout his writing, India must be patient; the change that they need cannot be completed in a short time. Like building a house, the progress is slow because good needs to grow to conquer the quickly developing evil throughout India. 

Discussion Question: Gandhi states that "civilisation is like a mouse gnawing while it is soothing us" (42). Why does he believe that the modernization of India's civilization is bad, and how does it make the irreligious?