In September 1921, Mahatma Gandhi made the revolutionary decision of boycotting western attire and embraced the dhoti (loincloth) and shawl. This life-changing decision was made in the Madurai district of Tamil Nadu after he was deeply affected by the poverty prevalent in India at that time. Gandhiji believed that in order to connect with the poor of India, he needed to look like them so that they could relate to him more and address their grievances. Dressing in western attire, according to him, would create a barrier to communicating and understanding the masses. His acceptance of khadi attire and rural clothing sent a message of embracing one’s own culture among Indians. According to Mahatma Gandhi, the foundation of India’s freedom was laid when the import of Lancashire cloth was stopped and stress was laid upon wearing swadeshi. There were several occasions earlier when Gandhiji deliberated to shed his attire and adopt the loin cloth. It was in Barisal in Bengal where Gandhi first thought of adopting the dhoti and chadar when he realised that he was burning clothes while there were people struck with famine and nakedness. But it was in Madurai where he finally resolved to shed his attire and adorn dhoti and chadar as a rebellion against the British.
Gandhiji’s Revolutionary Decision of Boycotting Western Attire
