The Book
The present volume is the fourth in a series of ten volumes of the Selected Works of C. Rajagopalachari being published in association with Nehru Memorial Museum and Library. This volume begins with Rajaji’s enthusiasm for constructive work and ends with his active participation in the civil disobedience movement and imprisonment, covering five momentous years of his life from 1926 to 1930—a very significant phase in India’s freedom struggle. Having established the Gandhi Ashram at Tirichengodu in 1925, Rajaji continued to propagate khadi and the spinning wheel as crucial to relieving rural economic distress. Carrying on crusades for total prohibition and the removal of untouchability, Rajaji became the voice of the Mahatma in the South. Gandhiji spoke of Rajaji as one of satyagraha’s finest exponents and also as his ‘consciencekeeper’, a remark that underscored their personal relationship.
In March 1930 when Gandhiji gave the clarion call for civil disobedience, Rajaji took upon himself the task of carrying his message to the masses. On 30 April 1930, with a band of 100 followers, Rajaji led a civil disobedience campaign to protest the salt tax at Vedaranyam. He was arrested and sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment.
Besides speeches, articles and notes on khadi and prohibition, letters to Gandhiji, Purushotamdas Thakurdas, Mahadev Desai and his co-workers, the volume also includes the full collection of informal talks with young political prisoners at Bellary Jail, titled Chats Behind Bars. It gives an insight into life in prison.
This volume is a collector’s edition that will be a useful tool of reference on the life of Rajaji. It narrates a very important phase in the history of India’s struggle for freedom, making it a reference for scholars, researchers, academics, and lay readers studying the Indian national movement.
The Author(s)
Mukesh Kumar is Assistant Research Officer, Research and Publications Division, Nehru Memorial Museum and Library (NMML)
Shilpa Menon is Senior Research Assistant, Research and Publications Division, NMML.
Table of Contents
List of Illustrations
Preface
- Letter to Mahatma Gandhi 7 January 1926
- A Handspun Story 7 January 1926
- Letter to Mahatma Gandhi [11] January 1926
- Appeal to Spinners 18 January 1926
- Letter to Mahatma Gandhi 19 January 1926
- Letter to Mahadev Desai 20 January 1926
- Address at Chittoor 23 January 1926
- Appeal to Strengthen the Congress 29 January 1926
- Letter to Mahadev Desai 31 January 1926
- Letter to Mahadev Desai 4 February 1926
- Letter to Mahadev Desai 6 February 1926
- Letter to Mahadev Desai 7 February 1926
- Demand for Total Prohibition: Article 10 February 1926
- Buy Khadi with the Difference: Article 11 February 1926
- Letter to Jamnalal Bajaj 12 February 1926
- Letter to Jamnalal Bajaj 12 February 1926
- Appeal to Shun Alcohol 24 February 1926
- The Sad Story of Our Debt: Article 4 March 1926
- Letter to Mahadev Desai 10 March 1926
- A Dull Dialogue 18 March 1926
- Convocation Address at Bihar Vidyapith 20 March 1926
- A Tamil Nad Village: Story 25 March 1926
- Interview to a Representative of the Hindu 2 April 1926
- Speech at Ahmedabad 6 April 1926
- Five Months’ Record (Tamil Nadu): Report 8 April 1926
- Letter to Mahadev Desai 10 April 1926
- Letter to Abdul Hameed Khan 28 April 1926
- Letter to Mahatma Gandhi 30 April 1926
- Letter to Mahadev Desai 2 May 1926
- Taklis in Municipal Schools: Article 4 May 1926
- Letter to S. Srinivasa Iyengar 8 May 1926
- Letter to S. Srinivasa Iyengar 12 May 1926
- Letter to Mahatma Gandhi 20 May 1926
- Letter to Mahadev Desai 26 May 1926
- Letter to Mahatma Gandhi 7 June 1926
- Letter to Mahatma Gandhi 23 June 1926
- The Truth about Prohibition: Article 2 July 1926
- Charkha against Satan: Appeal 21 July 1926
- Rural Relief: Article 25 August 1926
- The Beam in Your Eye: Article 15 September 1926
- Letter to Mahadev Desai 5 October 1926
- Letter to Mahatma Gandhi 13 October 1926
- Hindustani and Universities: Article 14 October 1926
- Letter to Pyarelal 28 October 1926
- Khadi Work in Pudupalayam Ashram: An Appraisal 3 November 1926
- Telegram on Council Election and Prohibition 5 November 1926
- Chief Secretary’s Communication: Note 11 November 1926
- A Memorandum to the Royal Commission 22 November 1926
- Speech at Bangalore 25 November 1926
- Letter to Jamnalal Bajaj 26 November 1926
- Address at the Indian Cultural Association (Extract) 27 November 1926
- Views on Madras Swarajists’ Position 3 December 1926
- Letter to C. Vijiaraghavachariar 11 December 1926
- The Right to Drink? Article 16 December 1926
- Artificial Silk: Article 23 December 1926
- Interview to a Representative of the Free Press of India 25 December 1926
- Telegram to S. Srinivasa Iyengar 27 December 1926
- Give Back to the Village: Article 6 January 1927
- Look on That Picture and This! Article 13 January 1927
- Comments on Articles in Hindu Annual 13 January 1927
- Prohibition Notes 20 January 1927
- Prohibition Notes 27 January 1927
- Collections Received for the Khadi Fund 16 February 1927
- Khadi Propaganda: Article 25 February 1927
- Instructions on Mahatma Gandhi’s Visit to Tamil Nadu 2 March 1927
- Mahatma Gandhi’s Tour: Article 3 March 1927
- Prohibition Notes 3 March 1927
- Appeal for Funds 5 March 1927
- Appeal to Young Men for Khaddar 7 March 1927
- Telegram on Mahatma Gandhi’s Tour in South India 10 March 1927
- Telegram to Hindu 28 March 1927
- Telegram to Hindu 29 March 1927
- Telegram to Hindu 30 March 1927
- Telegram to Mir Humza Hussain 31 March 1927
- A Prohibition Bill: Article 7 April 1927
- Letter to Mahadev Desai 10 April 1927
- Letter to Mahadev Desai 17 April 1927
- Letter to Devadas Gandhi 17 April 1927
- Statement on Mahatma Gandhi’s Health 1 May 1927
- Views on Mahatma Gandhi’s Health 2 May 1927
- Statement on Mahatma Gandhi’s Health 23 May 1927
- Stronger than Steam: Article 26 May 1927
- Hats and Sarees: Story 2 June 1927
- Letter to Jamnalal Bajaj 3 June 1927
- Message to the Associated Press 5 June 1927
- Letter to Maganlal Gandhi 10 June 1927
- Letter to Maganlal Gandhi 17 June 1927
- The Blind Girl of Vellalapatti: Story 23 June 1927
- Letter to S. Srinivasa Iyengar 29 June 1927
- Khadi Prospects in Mysore: Article 8 August 1927
- Letter to Chief Secretary, Government of Madras 9 August 1927
- Letter to C. Vijiaraghavachariar 10 August 1927
- Ministers and Prohibition: Article 25 August 1927
- Interview to a Representative of the Hindu 14 October 1927
- Telegram to Associated Press of India 19 October 1927
- Telegram on Mahatma Gandhi’s Ceylon Tour 28 November 1927
- Letter to Mahadev Desai 10 December 1927
- Mukundan’s Penance: Story 12 January 1928
- Reply to C. Todhunter’s Speech on Rural Reconstruction 17 January 1928
- Letter to Mahatma Gandhi 23 January 1928
- Letter to Mahatma Gandhi 8 February 1928
- Letter to Mahadev Desai 11 February 1928
- Foreign Propaganda: Article 1 March 1928
- Views on the Madras Government Excise Policy 3 March 1928
- A State Khadi Centre: Article 8 March 1928
- The Drink Debate: Article 19 March 1928
- Letter to Mahatma Gandhi 21 March 1928
- Moral Disservice of the New Ministry: An Appeal 27 March 1928
- Letter to Jawaharlal Nehru 31 March 1928
- Protest against the Burning of Manusmriti: Article 7 April 1928
- Letter to the Editor, Hindu 16 April 1928
- Telegram to Mahadev Desai 24 April 1928
- Telegram to Mahatma Gandhi 25 April 1928
- Speech at Deshbandhu Park 27 April 1928
- Statement on Suit against the Madras Exhibition Committee 29 April 1928
- No One Like Him: Article 3 May 1928
- Speech at Sylhet 12 May 1928
- Letter to Pyarelal 17 May 1928
- Appeal for Funds for Bardoli Struggle 18 May 1928
- The Khadi Movement: Article 18 May 1928
- Letter to Pyarelal 22 May 1928
- Letter to Mahatma Gandhi 26 May 1928
- Letter to Mahatma Gandhi 31 May 1928
- Appeal to Support Bardoli Satyagraha 31 May 1928
- Statement on Bardoli Satyagraha 30 June 1928
- Appeal for Funds for Bardoli Satyagraha 27 July 1928
- Letter to Mahadev Desai 11 August 1928
- Telegram to Mahatma Gandhi 15 August 1928
- A Wage Investigation: Article 23 August 1928
- The Future of Khadi: Article 23 August 1928
- Letter to Mahadev Desai 5 September 1928
- Letter to Jamnalal Bajaj 5 September 1928
- Letter to Jamnalal Bajaj 10 September 1928
- Letter to Jamnalal Bajaj 12 September 1928
- Statement on Madras Ministers and Prohibition Measures: A Story of Betrayal 24 September 1928
- Statement on Seizure of Subramania Bharati’s Songs 1 October 1928
- Famine Relief in South India: Appeal 25 October 1928
- Statement on Congress Politics in Madras 30 October 1928
- Soldiers of Khadi: Article 15 November 1928
- Letter to Mahatma Gandhi 17 November 1928
- False to His Dharma: Article 22 November 1928
- Statement on Subramania Bharati’s Poems 1 December 1928
- Letter to Pyarelal 2 December 1928
- Letter to Baru Raja Rao 11 December 1928
- Bharati the Tamil Poet: Article 13 December 1928
- Appeal to Local Bodies 14 December 1928
- Hindi an Imperative Necessity: Article 15 December 1928
- Make Hindi Compulsory in School & University: Note December 1928
- Statement on Hindi Propaganda in South India 14 January 1929
- Appeal to Princes to Support Democracy 15 January 1929
- A Good Example: Note 24 January 1929
- Speech on Hindi Propaganda 30 January 1929
- Letter to C. Vijiaraghavachariar 4 February 1929
- Statement on Jamnalal Bajaj’s Tour for Hindi Propaganda 25 February 1929
- Views on Excise Minister’s Apologia 5 March 1929
- Letter to Jawaharlal Nehru 8 March 1929
- Letter to Jawaharlal Nehru 10 March 1929
- Letter to Jawaharlal Nehru 10 March 1929
- Letter to Jamnalal Bajaj 15 March 1929
- Statement on Water Famine in Salem 18 March 1929
- Pudupalayam Gandhi Ashram Famine Relief: Note 21 March 1929
- Views on the Elections and Prohibition 23 March 1929
- Letter to Jawaharlal Nehru 30 March 1929
- The Place of Hindi in Indian Education: Article March 1929
- South India Famine Relief: Article 4 April 1929
- A Railway Experience: Story 11 April 1929
- Letter to Purushotamdas Thakurdas 15 April 1929
- Circular to Provincial Congress Committees 24 April 1929
- Letter to Jawaharlal Nehru 2 May 1929
- Rural Water-Supply: Article 7 May 1929
- Speech on Prohibition Campaign 8 May 1929
- A Morning Walk: Story 9 May 1929
- A Suddhi Ceremony: Article 11 May 1929
- Letter to S. Muthia Mudaliar 14 May 1929
- Letter to the Secretary to the Government of Madras, Health Department 14 May 1929
- Letter to Jamnalal Bajaj 16 May 1929
- Letter to Purushotamdas Thakurdas 16 May 1929
- Circular Letter for Joining the Prohibition League 16 May 1929
- Circular Letter to Temperance Organisations in Madras 16 May 1929
- Pudupalayam Gandhi Ashram Famine: Relief Note 16 May 1929
- Prohibition Campaign: Suggestion to Health Minister 1 June 1929
- Letter to Purushotamdas Thakurdas 6 June 1929
- Appeal to Support the Congress Prohibition Campaign 6 June 1929
- Letter to the Secretary to the Government of Madras, Health Department 10 June 1929
- Pudupalayam Gandhi Ashram Famine Relief Work: Appeal 13 June 1929
- Speech to Support Prohibition Propaganda 14 June 1929
- Letter to Purushotamdas Thakurdas 28 June 1929
- Letter to Jamnalal Bajaj 2 July 1929
- Letter to Purushotamdas Thakurdas 8 July 1929
- Foreign Liquor in India: Introduction 8 July 1929
- Letter to Jamnalal Bajaj 9 July 1929
- The Dead Weight of Debt: Story 11 July 1929
- Prohibition Sensations: Article 11 July 1929
- America Today: A Critique on Uncle Sham 12 July 1929
- The Dead Weight of Debt: Story 18 July 1929
- Speech on Congress Prohibition Propaganda 21 July 1929
- Views on Prohibition Propaganda of Government 22 July 1929
- Letter to Purushotamdas Thakurdas 3 August 1929
- The Drink Evil: Article 5 August 1929
- Letter to M. Ramachandra Rao 8 August 1929
- Telegram to Mahatma Gandhi 19 August 1929
- Letter to M. Ramachandra Rao 23 August 1929
- Letter to the Director of Public Health, Madras 25 August 1929
- Letter to P. K. Pillai 26 August 1929
- Letter to Jawaharlal Nehru 26 August 1929
- Speech on Progress of Khadi 31 August 1929
- About a Pair of Sandals: Story 12 September 1929
- Letter to Jawaharlal Nehru 19 September 1929
- Letter to M. Ramachandra Rao 19 September 1929
- Five Minutes’ National Prayer for Mahatma Gandhi 24 September 1929
- Views on Khadi Production 25 September 1929
- Statement on Government Temperance Propaganda 26 September 1929
- Letter to M. Ramachandra Rao 30 September 1929
- Views on Government Temperance Propaganda 11 October 1929
- Alcohol and Physical Work: Article 11 October 1929
- Letter to M. E. Archibald 12 October 1929
- Letter to M. N. Krishna Rao 21 October 1929
- Letter to J. C. Bose 21 October 1929
- Letter to Harold Hart Mann 21 October 1929
- Letter to the Secretary, Central Temperance Propaganda Board, Madras 21 October 1929
- The Campaign against Drink: Article 24 October 1929
- Statement on Prohibition Campaign 25 October 1929
- Presidential Address at Srivilliputtur Conference 26 October 1929
- Letter to M. Ramachandra Rao 28 October 1929
- Letter to the Secretary, Central Temperance Propaganda Board, Madras 28 October 1929
- Speech at Bezwada 3 November 1929
- Letter to C. B. Cotterell 8 November 1929
- Statement on Andhra Local Bodies’ Conference Resolutions 8 November 1929
- Letter to C. B. Cotterell 9 November 1929
- Letter to S. Ellappa Chettiar 9 November 1929
- Views on the Drink Evil 9 November 1929
- Letter to M. E. Archibald 10 November 1929
- Views on Government Temperance Propaganda 11 November 1929
- Letter to Mahatma Gandhi 12 November 1929
- Letter to E. V. Singaravelu 12 November 1929
- Letter to R. Ramachandra Rao 19 November 1929
- Letter to C. B. Cotterell 23 November 1929
- Letter to M. Ramachandra Rao 24 November 1929
- Report of the Prohibition Campaign of the Indian National Congress 29 November 1929
- Letter to M. Ramachandra Rao 30 November 1929
- Letter to S. Ramachandra Rao 30 November 1929
- Letter to Purushotamdas Thakurdas 2 December 1929
- Letter to Purushotamdas Thakurdas 2 December 1929
- Letter to News Editor, Liberty 3 December 1929
- Views on Local Bodies Voting for Prohibition 5 December 1929
- Telegram to Jamnalal Bajaj 5 December 1929
- Letter to General Secretary, A.I.C.C. 7 December 1929
- Letter to Purushotamdas Thakurdas 10 December 1929
- Letter to the Editor of Hindu 10 December 1929
- Letter to Jamnalal Bajaj 12 December 1929
- Presidential Address at the All India Temperance Conference 28 December 1929
- Letter to Jawaharlal Nehru 4 January 1930
- Appeal to Celebrate 26 January as Independence Day 9 January 1930
- Speech on Constructive Programme 10 January 1930
- Speech on National Programme 12 January 1930
- Appeal to Congressmen 21 January 1930
- Letter to Mahatma Gandhi 21 January 1930
- Letter to Purushotamdas Thakurdas 21 January 1930
- Letter to Mrs. T. C. Witney 21 January 1930
- Message to the Workers of Ramakrishna Home 23 January 1930
- Statement on Congress Programme 27 January 1930
- Speech at Dindigul 27 January 1930
- Letter to P. C. Doraiswami Aiyengar 30 January 1930
- Letter to Harihar Sharma 30 January 1930
- Letter to Jamnalal Bajaj 30 January 1930
- Letter to S. Ramachandra Rao 30 January 1930
- Letter to Edward Brito 30 January 1930
- Letter to the Editor, Aryan Path 31 January 1930
- Letter to Jawaharlal Nehru 2 February 1930
- Letter to C. B. Cotterell 3 February 1930
- Letter to Edward Brito 5 February 1930
- Letter to S. Ramachandra Rao 9 February 1930
- Letter to Edward Brito 9 February 1930
- Letter to Edward Brito 18 February 1930
- Note on Hindustani Seva Dal 27 February 1930
- Letter to Mahatma Gandhi 8 March 1930
- Appeal to Follow Mahatma Gandhi’s Instructions 8 March 1930
- Madras Budget and Prohibition: Article 8 March 1930
- Letter to Purushotamdas Thakurdas 11 March 1930
- Letter to M. Kolanthaivelu Mudaliar 11 March 1930
- Appeal to the People of Kerala 13 March 1930
- Letter to Jamnalal Bajaj 16 March 1930
- Appeal for Funds for Satyagraha Campaign 17 March 1930
- Letter to Jamnalal Bajaj 17 March 1930
- Interview on Civil Disobedience 18 March 1930
- Speech at Nasik 20 March 1930
- Appeal for Funds for Satyagraha Campaign 30 March 1930
- Statement on Enlistment of Volunteers 31 March 1930
- Appeal to Join Congress 31 March 1930
- Letter to Purushotamdas Thakurdas 31 March 1930
- Letter to T. C. Whitney 31 March 1930
- Letter to S. Ramachandra Rao 31 March 1930
- The Barometer: Article March 1930
- Appeal to Young Men 3 April 1930
- Presidential Address at Tuticorin Taluk Conference 5 April 1930
- Statement on Salt Satyagraha Programme 5 April 1930
- The Risks of Civil Disobedience: Article 10 April 1930
- Appeal to the People of Tamil Nadu 11 April 1930
- Statement on District Magistrate’s Circular 11 April 1930
- Letter to S. Ramachandra Rao 11 April 1930
- Address at Tanjore 16 April 1930
- Advice to Organisers 18 April 1930
- Statement to the Press 20 April 1930
- Speech at Kumbakonam 20 April 1930
- Correction in Report of Speech 24 April 1930
- Appeal to Observe 29 April as Day of Prayer 24 April 1930
- Statement on T. S. Ramachandra Naidu’s Arrest 28 April 1930
- Appeal to Observe 29 April as a Day of Fast and Prayer 28 April 1930
- Save Bombay: Article April 1930
- Prohibition in Bengal: Article April 1930
- Appeal to the People of Tamil Nadu April 1930
- Chats Behind Bars June 1930–October 1930
- Letter to Jamnalal Bajaj 2 October 1930
- Interview to a Representative of the Hindu 11 October 1930
- Statement on Treatment of Prisoners in Madras Penitentiary 17 October 1930
- Letter to the Superintendent of Trichy Central Jail 22 October 1930
- Statement on Toddy Sales 22 October 1930
- Statement on Borstal Act and Satyagrahis 22 October 1930
- Message to the Press 25 October 1930
Appendices
Appendix I: Resolution moved by C. Rajagopalachari 10 February 1929 on Hindi in Kerala
Appendix II: Court Proceedings against 25 October 1930 Mr. C. Rajagopalachari
Appendix III: Joint Statements
- Letter to Mahatma Gandhi 12 May 1927
- Statement of Accounts of Congress 5 December 1929 Prohibition Committee
Appendix IV: Miscellaneous Items
- Constitution of the Prohibition League of India
- Sabarmati Pact April 1926
- List of Gandhi Khadi Fund Contributors 16 February 1927
- Mahatma Gandhi’s Letter to C. Rajagopalachari 27 May 1928
- Foreign Liquor in India 8 July 1929
- Calcutta Temperance Federation 15 July 1929
- Minutes of the Proceedings of the Executive Committee of the Prohibition League of India 27 December 1929
- Purna Swaraj Resolution 31 December 1929
- G. V. Ketkar’s Letter to Jawaharlal Nehru 22 January 1930
- Independence Day Pledge 26 January 1930
- Eleven Points of Mahatma Gandhi 30 January 1930
- Pledge for Tamil Nadu Volunteers 22 March 1930
- Letter from M. Ramachandra Rao 30 May 1930
Chronology (1926–1930)
Index