Why was the charkha chosen as a symbol of nationalism?
The charkha was chosen as a symbol of nationalism for several important reasons. Mahatma Gandhi was profoundly critical of the modern age where machines enslaved humans and displaced labour. He saw the charkha as a symbol of a human society that would not glorify machines and technology.
Moreover, the spinning wheel could provide the poor with supplementary income and make them self-reliant. This economic dimension made it a practical tool for empowering ordinary Indians.
Additionally, the act of spinning allowed Gandhiji to break the boundaries within the traditional caste system, between mental labour and manual labour. By spending part of each day working on the charkha and encouraging other nationalists to do likewise, he demonstrated that nationalism embraced the dignity of labour.
Explanation
The answer draws directly from the textbook context which explains Gandhi's philosophy regarding the charkha. Three key points are covered: (1) Gandhi's critique of modern machines and his vision of the charkha as an alternative symbol representing a humane society, (2) the economic benefits of self-reliance and supplementary income for the poor, and (3) the social significance of breaking caste-based distinctions between mental and manual labour through the act of spinning.