According to Mahatma Gandhi, which of the following correctly describe the different meanings and dimensions of ‘‘Swaraj’’?

Introduction / Context:
This question explores Mahatma Gandhi's rich and layered understanding of the term “Swaraj”. In popular usage, Swaraj is often reduced to political independence from foreign rule, but for Gandhi it had a deeper ethical and spiritual dimension. He linked Swaraj with personal self-discipline, non-violence (Ahimsa) and adherence to truth (Satyagraha). Understanding these nuances is important for exams on modern Indian history and political thought.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- Statement 1: Swaraj is closely connected with Ahimsa and Satyagraha.
- Statement 2: Swaraj has both a political meaning and a meaning beyond politics.
- Statement 3: Swaraj is something that requires time and patience to attain.
- Statement 4: With determination, Swaraj could be obtained easily and quickly.
- You must choose which set of statements correctly reflects Gandhi's philosophy of Swaraj.

Concept / Approach:
Gandhi saw Swaraj not merely as the transfer of power from British rulers to Indian elites, but as a moral condition where individuals and communities practice self-rule through inner discipline, non-violence and truthfulness. This implies a slow, transformative process, not an overnight event. He explicitly linked Swaraj with Satyagraha and Ahimsa, and often distinguished between “external” political freedom and “internal” self-mastery. Therefore, we evaluate each statement against Gandhi's own writings, such as “Hind Swaraj” and his speeches, to decide which are consistent and which contradict his view.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Gandhi consistently argued that Swaraj could not be achieved through violence; it was inseparable from Ahimsa and Satyagraha, which confirms statement 1 as correct. Step 2: He differentiated between political Swaraj (freedom from foreign rule) and a deeper moral or spiritual Swaraj (self-control and ethical living), so statement 2 is also correct. Step 3: Gandhi emphasized that such moral transformation and the building of a non-violent society take time, patience and continuous effort, making statement 3 correct. Step 4: Statement 4, which claims that Swaraj can be easily and quickly obtained, goes against Gandhi's repeated insistence on gradual moral training and therefore is incorrect. Hence statements 1, 2 and 3 together are correct.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify your reasoning by recalling that in “Hind Swaraj”, Gandhi criticizes the idea that simply copying European institutions or replacing British officials with Indian ones would bring real Swaraj. He insists that true Swaraj involves a disciplined people capable of ruling themselves through non-violence and ethical conduct. This vision clearly cannot be realized “easily and quickly”, but demands long-term work on character and community. Thus, while determination is necessary, it is not sufficient to make Swaraj an instant achievement, confirming that statement 4 is false.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A (1 only) ignores Gandhi's important distinction between political and moral Swaraj and his emphasis on time and patience, so it is incomplete. Option B (1 and 2 only) correctly captures the moral and political aspects but wrongly excludes the idea that Swaraj requires a slow process of transformation embodied in statement 3. Option C (3 and 4) pairs one correct statement with a clearly incorrect one and omits the crucial link to Ahimsa and Satyagraha. Only option D, which includes statements 1, 2 and 3, matches Gandhi's comprehensive understanding of Swaraj.

Common Pitfalls:
Students often interpret Swaraj purely in constitutional terms and forget Gandhi's deeper spiritual and ethical focus. Another mistake is to project later, faster mass movements back onto Gandhi's theory and assume he believed independence could be snatched quickly through sheer determination. Some also overlook his insistence that the means (non-violent Satyagraha) must reflect the ends (a just and peaceful Swaraj), which reinforces the slow, patient nature of the struggle. Avoiding these confusions will help you handle similar conceptual questions.

Final Answer:
Mahatma Gandhi linked Swaraj with Ahimsa and Satyagraha, viewed it in both political and moral senses, and stressed that it requires time and patience to attain. Therefore, the correct set of statements is 1, 2 and 3, corresponding to option D.