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.

---

Swadeshi British  

/ swəˈdeɪʃɪ /

adjective

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

---

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

"I think Swadeshi is good, and if the outcome of the changes I have laid before the Council result in some encouragement of Indian industries, I for one shall not regret it."

From Indian Unrest by Chirol, Valentine, Sir