Selected Works of C. Rajagopalachari: Vol 2

by C. Rajagopalachari, Mahesh Rangarajan (Editor), N. Balakrishnan (Editor)

Selected Works of C. Rajagopalachari, Vol. 2, 1921–22, is part of a series of ten volumes that gather together the writings of Rajaji over the period 1907–72. The second volume covers a brief but significant phase in Rajaji’s political life, beginning with his arrest for participating in the non-cooperation movement in December 1921 and his imprisonment in Vellore Central Jail. Rajaji’s jail diary is published here with detailed annotations for the first time.

By the time Rajaji was released from jail in March 1922, Mahatma Gandhi, by then his close associate, had been arrested and remanded to Yeravda Jail. The mantle of bringing out the nationalist weekly Young India fell on Rajaji’s shoulders. Through the columns of Young India,Rajaji kept alive Gandhiji’s message of non-violence and his emphasis on the importance of khaddar and the spinning wheel.

Besides his various editorials and articles in Young India, the present volume also contains letters, speeches and other writings of Rajaji during these years. The volume ends with his spirited defence of the non-cooperation programme opposing council entry at the 37th Session of the Indian National Congress at Gaya in December 1922. Overall, the collection offers a close commentary on the non-cooperation movement and its aftermath.

511 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2014

About the author

Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, informally called Rajaji or C.R., was an Indian lawyer, independence activist, politician, writer, and statesman. Rajagopalachari was the last Governor-General of India. He also served as leader of the Indian National Congress, Premier of the Madras Presidency, Governor of West Bengal, Minister for Home Affairs of the Indian Union, and Chief Minister of Madras state, and as such, he rendered yeomen service to the nation.

Rajagopalachari founded the Swatantra Party and was one of the first recipients of India's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna. He vehemently opposed the use of nuclear weapons and was a proponent of world peace and disarmament. During his lifetime, he also acquired the nickname 'Mango of Salem'.

Rajaji was a great patriot, astute politician, incisive thinker, great visionary, and one of the greatest statesmen of all time. He was a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi, hailed as conscious-keeper of the Mahatma.

Rajaji was closely associated with Kulapati Munshiji and he was among the distinguished founder-members of the Bhavan (Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan). The Bhavan has published 18 books by him so far, the copyright of which he gifted to the Bhavan.
Rajaji wrote not only in English but also in chaste Tamil, his mother-tongue. He was at his best as a short-story writer.

Rajaji passed away in 1972 at the age of 94.