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swaraj

swaraj

9.9
Government run by the people of a country, especially in India during the independence movement
  • noun
  • /swəˈrɑːj/
  • Indian
translation icon : swaraj
  • Many activists dedicated their lives to the struggle for swaraj in India, seeking true autonomy from British rule.

In September, the Indian National Congress officially sanctions it with the aim of bringing Swaraj self rule in one year.

Examples

  • Gandhi believed that achieving swaraj was essential for India's dignity and self-respect.

  • A swaraj where there are no fundamental rights guaranteed for the depressed classes, will not be a swaraj for us.

  • The Indian leaders envisioned a swaraj that would empower every citizen to participate in governance.

Synonyms

self-government
vsswaraj
12 4.3

A group or region that makes and follows its own rules without outside control

is a political independence idea especially linked to India's nationalist movement
self-rule
vsswaraj
8 5.8

Government by a country's own people instead of by a foreign power

focuses on political independence tied to India's nationalist movement

Antonyms

22 7.4

Control of one country by people from another country who live there and take its resources for profit

subjugation
  • Formal
11 8.4

The act of forcing people or groups to obey

How Autonomous

independence
608 3.0
swaraj
  • Indian
9.9
autonomy
28 5.7
home rule
  • Formal
4 6.2

Surface Forms

swaraj singular
swarajs plural

Etymology

Swaraj comes from the Sanskrit parts sva 'self' and raj 'rule', so it literally means 'self-rule' and was used to ask for political independence and control by the people.