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.

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.

List of Illustrations
Preface

1. Letter to Mahatma Gandhi 7 January 1926
2. A Handspun Story 7 January 1926
3. Letter to Mahatma Gandhi [11] January 1926
4. Appeal to Spinners 18 January 1926
5. Letter to Mahatma Gandhi 19 January 1926
6. Letter to Mahadev Desai 20 January 1926
7. Address at Chittoor 23 January 1926
8. Appeal to Strengthen the Congress 29 January 1926
9. Letter to Mahadev Desai 31 January 1926
10. Letter to Mahadev Desai 4 February 1926
11. Letter to Mahadev Desai 6 February 1926
12. Letter to Mahadev Desai 7 February 1926
13. Demand for Total Prohibition: Article 10 February 1926
14. Buy Khadi with the Difference: Article 11 February 1926
15. Letter to Jamnalal Bajaj 12 February 1926
16. Letter to Jamnalal Bajaj 12 February 1926
17. Appeal to Shun Alcohol 24 February 1926
18. The Sad Story of Our Debt: Article 4 March 1926
19. Letter to Mahadev Desai 10 March 1926
20. A Dull Dialogue 18 March 1926
21. Convocation Address at Bihar Vidyapith 20 March 1926
22. A Tamil Nad Village: Story 25 March 1926
23. Interview to a Representative of the Hindu 2 April 1926
24. Speech at Ahmedabad 6 April 1926
25. Five Months’ Record (Tamil Nadu): Report 8 April 1926
26. Letter to Mahadev Desai 10 April 1926
27. Letter to Abdul Hameed Khan 28 April 1926
28. Letter to Mahatma Gandhi 30 April 1926
29. Letter to Mahadev Desai 2 May 1926
30. Taklis in Municipal Schools: Article 4 May 1926
31. Letter to S. Srinivasa Iyengar 8 May 1926
32. Letter to S. Srinivasa Iyengar 12 May 1926
33. Letter to Mahatma Gandhi 20 May 1926
34. Letter to Mahadev Desai 26 May 1926
35. Letter to Mahatma Gandhi 7 June 1926
36. Letter to Mahatma Gandhi 23 June 1926
37. The Truth about Prohibition: Article 2 July 1926
38. Charkha against Satan: Appeal 21 July 1926
39. Rural Relief: Article 25 August 1926
40. The Beam in Your Eye: Article 15 September 1926
41. Letter to Mahadev Desai 5 October 1926
42. Letter to Mahatma Gandhi 13 October 1926
43. Hindustani and Universities: Article 14 October 1926
44. Letter to Pyarelal 28 October 1926
45. Khadi Work in Pudupalayam Ashram: An Appraisal 3 November 1926
46. Telegram on Council Election and Prohibition 5 November 1926
47. Chief Secretary’s Communication: Note 11 November 1926
48. A Memorandum to the Royal Commission 22 November 1926
49. Speech at Bangalore 25 November 1926
50. Letter to Jamnalal Bajaj 26 November 1926
51. Address at the Indian Cultural Association (Extract) 27 November 1926
52. Views on Madras Swarajists’ Position 3 December 1926
53. Letter to C. Vijiaraghavachariar 11 December 1926
54. The Right to Drink? Article 16 December 1926
55. Artificial Silk: Article 23 December 1926
56. Interview to a Representative of the Free Press of India 25 December 1926
57. Telegram to S. Srinivasa Iyengar 27 December 1926
58. Give Back to the Village: Article 6 January 1927
59. Look on That Picture and This! Article 13 January 1927
60. Comments on Articles in Hindu Annual 13 January 1927
61. Prohibition Notes 20 January 1927
62. Prohibition Notes 27 January 1927
63. Collections Received for the Khadi Fund 16 February 1927
64. Khadi Propaganda: Article 25 February 1927
65. Instructions on Mahatma Gandhi’s Visit to Tamil Nadu 2 March 1927
66. Mahatma Gandhi’s Tour: Article 3 March 1927
67. Prohibition Notes 3 March 1927
68. Appeal for Funds 5 March 1927
69. Appeal to Young Men for Khaddar 7 March 1927
70. Telegram on Mahatma Gandhi’s Tour in South India 10 March 1927
71. Telegram to Hindu 28 March 1927
72. Telegram to Hindu 29 March 1927
73. Telegram to Hindu 30 March 1927
74. Telegram to Mir Humza Hussain 31 March 1927
75. A Prohibition Bill: Article 7 April 1927
76. Letter to Mahadev Desai 10 April 1927
77. Letter to Mahadev Desai 17 April 1927
78. Letter to Devadas Gandhi 17 April 1927
79. Statement on Mahatma Gandhi’s Health 1 May 1927
80. Views on Mahatma Gandhi’s Health 2 May 1927
81. Statement on Mahatma Gandhi’s Health 23 May 1927
82. Stronger than Steam: Article 26 May 1927
83. Hats and Sarees: Story 2 June 1927
84. Letter to Jamnalal Bajaj 3 June 1927
85. Message to the Associated Press 5 June 1927
86. Letter to Maganlal Gandhi 10 June 1927
87. Letter to Maganlal Gandhi 17 June 1927
88. The Blind Girl of Vellalapatti: Story 23 June 1927
89. Letter to S. Srinivasa Iyengar 29 June 1927
90. Khadi Prospects in Mysore: Article 8 August 1927
91. Letter to Chief Secretary, Government of Madras 9 August 1927
92. Letter to C. Vijiaraghavachariar 10 August 1927
93. Ministers and Prohibition: Article 25 August 1927
94. Interview to a Representative of the Hindu 14 October 1927
95. Telegram to Associated Press of India 19 October 1927
96. Telegram on Mahatma Gandhi’s Ceylon Tour 28 November 1927
97. Letter to Mahadev Desai 10 December 1927
98. Mukundan’s Penance: Story 12 January 1928
99. Reply to C. Todhunter’s Speech on Rural Reconstruction 17 January 1928
100. Letter to Mahatma Gandhi 23 January 1928
101. Letter to Mahatma Gandhi 8 February 1928
102. Letter to Mahadev Desai 11 February 1928
103. Foreign Propaganda: Article 1 March 1928
104. Views on the Madras Government Excise Policy 3 March 1928
105. A State Khadi Centre: Article 8 March 1928
106. The Drink Debate: Article 19 March 1928
107. Letter to Mahatma Gandhi 21 March 1928
108. Moral Disservice of the New Ministry: An Appeal 27 March 1928
109. Letter to Jawaharlal Nehru 31 March 1928
110. Protest against the Burning of Manusmriti: Article 7 April 1928
111. Letter to the Editor, Hindu 16 April 1928
112. Telegram to Mahadev Desai 24 April 1928
113. Telegram to Mahatma Gandhi 25 April 1928
114. Speech at Deshbandhu Park 27 April 1928
115. Statement on Suit against the Madras Exhibition Committee 29 April 1928
116. No One Like Him: Article 3 May 1928
117. Speech at Sylhet 12 May 1928
118. Letter to Pyarelal 17 May 1928
119. Appeal for Funds for Bardoli Struggle 18 May 1928
120. The Khadi Movement: Article 18 May 1928
121. Letter to Pyarelal 22 May 1928
122. Letter to Mahatma Gandhi 26 May 1928
123. Letter to Mahatma Gandhi 31 May 1928
124. Appeal to Support Bardoli Satyagraha 31 May 1928
125. Statement on Bardoli Satyagraha 30 June 1928
126. Appeal for Funds for Bardoli Satyagraha 27 July 1928
127. Letter to Mahadev Desai 11 August 1928
128. Telegram to Mahatma Gandhi 15 August 1928
129. A Wage Investigation: Article 23 August 1928
130. The Future of Khadi: Article 23 August 1928
131. Letter to Mahadev Desai 5 September 1928
132. Letter to Jamnalal Bajaj 5 September 1928
133. Letter to Jamnalal Bajaj 10 September 1928
134. Letter to Jamnalal Bajaj 12 September 1928
135. Statement on Madras Ministers and Prohibition Measures: A Story of Betrayal 24 September 1928
136. Statement on Seizure of Subramania Bharati’s Songs 1 October 1928
137. Famine Relief in South India: Appeal 25 October 1928
138. Statement on Congress Politics in Madras 30 October 1928
139. Soldiers of Khadi: Article 15 November 1928
140. Letter to Mahatma Gandhi 17 November 1928
141. False to His Dharma: Article 22 November 1928
142. Statement on Subramania Bharati’s Poems 1 December 1928
143. Letter to Pyarelal 2 December 1928
144. Letter to Baru Raja Rao 11 December 1928
145. Bharati the Tamil Poet: Article 13 December 1928
146. Appeal to Local Bodies 14 December 1928
147. Hindi an Imperative Necessity: Article 15 December 1928
148. Make Hindi Compulsory in School & University: Note December 1928
149. Statement on Hindi Propaganda in South India 14 January 1929
150. Appeal to Princes to Support Democracy 15 January 1929
151. A Good Example: Note 24 January 1929
152. Speech on Hindi Propaganda 30 January 1929
153. Letter to C. Vijiaraghavachariar 4 February 1929
154. Statement on Jamnalal Bajaj’s Tour for Hindi Propaganda 25 February 1929
155. Views on Excise Minister’s Apologia 5 March 1929
156. Letter to Jawaharlal Nehru 8 March 1929
157. Letter to Jawaharlal Nehru 10 March 1929
158. Letter to Jawaharlal Nehru 10 March 1929
159. Letter to Jamnalal Bajaj 15 March 1929
160. Statement on Water Famine in Salem 18 March 1929
161. Pudupalayam Gandhi Ashram Famine Relief: Note 21 March 1929
162. Views on the Elections and Prohibition 23 March 1929
163. Letter to Jawaharlal Nehru 30 March 1929
164. The Place of Hindi in Indian Education: Article March 1929
165. South India Famine Relief: Article 4 April 1929
166. A Railway Experience: Story 11 April 1929
167. Letter to Purushotamdas Thakurdas 15 April 1929
168. Circular to Provincial Congress Committees 24 April 1929
169. Letter to Jawaharlal Nehru 2 May 1929
170. Rural Water-Supply: Article 7 May 1929
171. Speech on Prohibition Campaign 8 May 1929
172. A Morning Walk: Story 9 May 1929
173. A Suddhi Ceremony: Article 11 May 1929
174. Letter to S. Muthia Mudaliar 14 May 1929
175. Letter to the Secretary to the Government of Madras, Health Department 14 May 1929
176. Letter to Jamnalal Bajaj 16 May 1929
177. Letter to Purushotamdas Thakurdas 16 May 1929
178. Circular Letter for Joining the Prohibition League 16 May 1929
179. Circular Letter to Temperance Organisations in Madras 16 May 1929
180. Pudupalayam Gandhi Ashram Famine: Relief Note 16 May 1929
181. Prohibition Campaign: Suggestion to Health Minister 1 June 1929
182. Letter to Purushotamdas Thakurdas 6 June 1929
183. Appeal to Support the Congress Prohibition Campaign 6 June 1929
184. Letter to the Secretary to the Government of Madras, Health Department 10 June 1929
185. Pudupalayam Gandhi Ashram Famine Relief Work: Appeal 13 June 1929
186. Speech to Support Prohibition Propaganda 14 June 1929
187. Letter to Purushotamdas Thakurdas 28 June 1929
188. Letter to Jamnalal Bajaj 2 July 1929
189. Letter to Purushotamdas Thakurdas 8 July 1929
190. Foreign Liquor in India: Introduction 8 July 1929
191. Letter to Jamnalal Bajaj 9 July 1929
192. The Dead Weight of Debt: Story 11 July 1929
193. Prohibition Sensations: Article 11 July 1929
194. America Today: A Critique on Uncle Sham 12 July 1929
195. The Dead Weight of Debt: Story 18 July 1929
196. Speech on Congress Prohibition Propaganda 21 July 1929
197. Views on Prohibition Propaganda of Government 22 July 1929
198. Letter to Purushotamdas Thakurdas 3 August 1929
199. The Drink Evil: Article 5 August 1929
200. Letter to M. Ramachandra Rao 8 August 1929
201. Telegram to Mahatma Gandhi 19 August 1929
202. Letter to M. Ramachandra Rao 23 August 1929
203. Letter to the Director of Public Health, Madras 25 August 1929
204. Letter to P. K. Pillai 26 August 1929
205. Letter to Jawaharlal Nehru 26 August 1929
206. Speech on Progress of Khadi 31 August 1929
207. About a Pair of Sandals: Story 12 September 1929
208. Letter to Jawaharlal Nehru 19 September 1929
209. Letter to M. Ramachandra Rao 19 September 1929
210. Five Minutes’ National Prayer for Mahatma Gandhi 24 September 1929
211. Views on Khadi Production 25 September 1929
212. Statement on Government Temperance Propaganda 26 September 1929
213. Letter to M. Ramachandra Rao 30 September 1929
214. Views on Government Temperance Propaganda 11 October 1929
215. Alcohol and Physical Work: Article 11 October 1929
216. Letter to M. E. Archibald 12 October 1929
217. Letter to M. N. Krishna Rao 21 October 1929
218. Letter to J. C. Bose 21 October 1929
219. Letter to Harold Hart Mann 21 October 1929
220. Letter to the Secretary, Central Temperance Propaganda Board, Madras 21 October 1929
221. The Campaign against Drink: Article 24 October 1929
222. Statement on Prohibition Campaign 25 October 1929
223. Presidential Address at Srivilliputtur Conference 26 October 1929
224. Letter to M. Ramachandra Rao 28 October 1929
225. Letter to the Secretary, Central Temperance Propaganda Board, Madras 28 October 1929
226. Speech at Bezwada 3 November 1929
227. Letter to C. B. Cotterell 8 November 1929
228. Statement on Andhra Local Bodies’ Conference Resolutions 8 November 1929
229. Letter to C. B. Cotterell 9 November 1929
230. Letter to S. Ellappa Chettiar 9 November 1929
231. Views on the Drink Evil 9 November 1929
232. Letter to M. E. Archibald 10 November 1929
233. Views on Government Temperance Propaganda 11 November 1929
234. Letter to Mahatma Gandhi 12 November 1929
235. Letter to E. V. Singaravelu 12 November 1929
236. Letter to R. Ramachandra Rao 19 November 1929
237. Letter to C. B. Cotterell 23 November 1929
238. Letter to M. Ramachandra Rao 24 November 1929
239. Report of the Prohibition Campaign of the Indian National Congress 29 November 1929
240. Letter to M. Ramachandra Rao 30 November 1929
241. Letter to S. Ramachandra Rao 30 November 1929
242. Letter to Purushotamdas Thakurdas 2 December 1929
243. Letter to Purushotamdas Thakurdas 2 December 1929
244. Letter to News Editor, Liberty 3 December 1929
245. Views on Local Bodies Voting for Prohibition 5 December 1929
246. Telegram to Jamnalal Bajaj 5 December 1929
247. Letter to General Secretary, A.I.C.C. 7 December 1929
248. Letter to Purushotamdas Thakurdas 10 December 1929
249. Letter to the Editor of Hindu 10 December 1929
250. Letter to Jamnalal Bajaj 12 December 1929
251. Presidential Address at the All India Temperance Conference 28 December 1929
252. Letter to Jawaharlal Nehru 4 January 1930
253. Appeal to Celebrate 26 January as Independence Day 9 January 1930
254. Speech on Constructive Programme 10 January 1930
255. Speech on National Programme 12 January 1930
256. Appeal to Congressmen 21 January 1930
257. Letter to Mahatma Gandhi 21 January 1930
258. Letter to Purushotamdas Thakurdas 21 January 1930
259. Letter to Mrs. T. C. Witney 21 January 1930
260. Message to the Workers of Ramakrishna Home 23 January 1930
261. Statement on Congress Programme 27 January 1930
262. Speech at Dindigul 27 January 1930
263. Letter to P. C. Doraiswami Aiyengar 30 January 1930
264. Letter to Harihar Sharma 30 January 1930
265. Letter to Jamnalal Bajaj 30 January 1930
266. Letter to S. Ramachandra Rao 30 January 1930
267. Letter to Edward Brito 30 January 1930
268. Letter to the Editor, Aryan Path 31 January 1930
269. Letter to Jawaharlal Nehru 2 February 1930
270. Letter to C. B. Cotterell 3 February 1930
271. Letter to Edward Brito 5 February 1930
272. Letter to S. Ramachandra Rao 9 February 1930
273. Letter to Edward Brito 9 February 1930
274. Letter to Edward Brito 18 February 1930
275. Note on Hindustani Seva Dal 27 February 1930
276. Letter to Mahatma Gandhi 8 March 1930
277. Appeal to Follow Mahatma Gandhi’s Instructions 8 March 1930
278. Madras Budget and Prohibition: Article 8 March 1930
279. Letter to Purushotamdas Thakurdas 11 March 1930
280. Letter to M. Kolanthaivelu Mudaliar 11 March 1930
281. Appeal to the People of Kerala 13 March 1930
282. Letter to Jamnalal Bajaj 16 March 1930
283. Appeal for Funds for Satyagraha Campaign 17 March 1930
284. Letter to Jamnalal Bajaj 17 March 1930
285. Interview on Civil Disobedience 18 March 1930
286. Speech at Nasik 20 March 1930
287. Appeal for Funds for Satyagraha Campaign 30 March 1930
288. Statement on Enlistment of Volunteers 31 March 1930
289. Appeal to Join Congress 31 March 1930
290. Letter to Purushotamdas Thakurdas 31 March 1930
291. Letter to T. C. Whitney 31 March 1930
292. Letter to S. Ramachandra Rao 31 March 1930
293. The Barometer: Article March 1930
294. Appeal to Young Men 3 April 1930
295. Presidential Address at Tuticorin Taluk Conference 5 April 1930
296. Statement on Salt Satyagraha Programme 5 April 1930
297. The Risks of Civil Disobedience: Article 10 April 1930
298. Appeal to the People of Tamil Nadu 11 April 1930
299. Statement on District Magistrate’s Circular 11 April 1930
300. Letter to S. Ramachandra Rao 11 April 1930
301. Address at Tanjore 16 April 1930
302. Advice to Organisers 18 April 1930
303. Statement to the Press 20 April 1930
304. Speech at Kumbakonam 20 April 1930
305. Correction in Report of Speech 24 April 1930
306. Appeal to Observe 29 April as Day of Prayer 24 April 1930
307. Statement on T. S. Ramachandra Naidu’s Arrest 28 April 1930
308. Appeal to Observe 29 April as a Day of Fast and Prayer 28 April 1930
309. Save Bombay: Article April 1930
310. Prohibition in Bengal: Article April 1930
311. Appeal to the People of Tamil Nadu April 1930
312. Chats Behind Bars June 1930–October 1930
313. Letter to Jamnalal Bajaj 2 October 1930
314. Interview to a Representative of the Hindu 11 October 1930
315. Statement on Treatment of Prisoners in Madras Penitentiary 17 October 1930
316. Letter to the Superintendent of Trichy Central Jail 22 October 1930
317. Statement on Toddy Sales 22 October 1930
318. Statement on Borstal Act and Satyagrahis 22 October 1930
319. 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

1. Letter to Mahatma Gandhi 12 May 1927
2. Statement of Accounts of Congress 5 December 1929 Prohibition Committee

Appendix IV: Miscellaneous Items

1. Constitution of the Prohibition League of India
2. Sabarmati Pact April 1926
3. List of Gandhi Khadi Fund Contributors 16 February 1927
4. Mahatma Gandhi’s Letter to C. Rajagopalachari 27 May 1928
5. Foreign Liquor in India 8 July 1929
6. Calcutta Temperance Federation 15 July 1929
7. Minutes of the Proceedings of the Executive Committee of the Prohibition League of India 27 December 1929
8. Purna Swaraj Resolution 31 December 1929
9. G. V. Ketkar’s Letter to Jawaharlal Nehru 22 January 1930
10. Independence Day Pledge 26 January 1930
11. Eleven Points of Mahatma Gandhi 30 January 1930
12. Pledge for Tamil Nadu Volunteers 22 March 1930
13. Letter from M. Ramachandra Rao 30 May 1930

Chronology (1926–1930)
Index