India's Struggle for Freedom — Phase 1 — Question 15

The idea of Swadeshi marked the beginning of a new era by helping Indians to be united against the British in the following way:

1. It brought into politics new classes of people without any distinction of caste and creed. Many zamindars, women, students and Muslim leaders joined the movement.
2. It encouraged the establishment of indigenous industries for strengthening the country. Many Swadeshi stores were also setup across the country. This gave employment to a number of people.
3. It gave impetus to nationalist poetry, prose and journalism.
4. It gave education a national orientation by drawing a scheme of National education.
5. It brought nationalism from a realm of theory into the field of practical politics.