Gandhi’s Spinning Wheel: The Charkha and Its Regenerative Effects

This essay interrogates the role of the charkha (spinning wheel) in Mohandas Gandhi’s thought. It argues that spinning deserves to be recognized as belonging in the realm of other high concepts and practices, such as non-violence, that have garnered much more academic attention. The article explores the centrality of the charkha to Gandhi’s ideology, emphasizing underappreciated facets such as its physical, moral, and spiritual effects. Finally, it argues that the versatility of the spinning wheel to Gandhi offers insights into how he conceived of and negotiated the relationship between means and ends in his philosophy.