Swadeshi

American  

[swuh-dey-shee] / swəˈdeɪ ʃi /

noun

1. a political movement in British India that encouraged domestic production and the boycott of foreign, especially British, goods as a step toward home rule.

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Swadeshi British  

/ swəˈdeɪʃɪ /

adjective

1. (in present-day India) produced within the country; not imported

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noun

1. (in British India) the encouragement of domestic production and boycott of foreign goods as part of the campaign for independence

Etymology

Origin of Swadeshi

1900–05; < Hindi or Bengali svadesī, equivalent to sva- self, own + desī native

Example Sentences

The Swadeshi movement calling upon Indians to purchase only Indian-made goods continued, however, led by the Indian lawyer and political activist Mohandas Gandhi.

From Textbooks • Dec. 14, 2022

Some opposition comes from an Indian nationalist group that advocates for local businesses, the Swadeshi Jagaran Manch, which is close to Modi’s ruling party.

From Reuters • Apr. 28, 2022

A source with direct knowledge told Reuters on Wednesday that representatives of Swadeshi Jagran Manch lobbied India's Finance Minister in a closed-door meeting in January to not proceed with the policy announcement.

From Reuters • Mar. 23, 2022

The Swadeshi Jagran Manch, which loosely translates to National Forum for Self-Reliance, said the government needs to amend the country’s patent law to negate the court verdict.

From Reuters • Jan. 10, 2019

He is not likely to be hoodwinked by the cry of Swadeshi minus the boycott, because, really speaking, if effectively worked and organized, both are one and the same thing.

From Indian Unrest by Chirol, Valentine, Sir