Quit India

A Brahmacharri is a person who observes Brahmacharya, a practice of being celibate and renouncing marriage. This belief system was typical among monks in Buddhism and Hinduism. People who observe Brachmacharya are often extremely devoted to their faith and willing to engage in extreme discipline. In the speech, Gandhi uses the term as an analogy for his disciplined and thoughtful approach of the Quit India Movement.

This term is now more commonly known as the Caliphate. In India during this time period, it referred to a specific group of Muslims who were pushing against British colonialism, sometimes on behalf of Turkish Muslims in the Ottoman Empire. This group was run by the Ali brothers that Gandhi references in his speech as his friends. The Khilafat was more willing to collaborate with Gandhi than members of the All India Muslim League toward the beginning of his campaign.

This is a title used in India for revered Muslim leaders. It can be used before the name of any Muslim leader of a certain status, similar to calling someone “Pastor” or “Reverend.” The term can be spelled as “Mawlana” in modern day India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Gandhi uses it to describe several Muslim leaders and to show respect, indicating the number of distinct relationships he had with different Muslims throughout India.

This colloquial term, which is native to India, can be used interchangeably with Muslim. It is similar to other terms used throughout the world in different lexicons, such as “Moslem” and “Mosalman.” These words are derived from the term Islam. Gandhi uses “Mussalman” as a more intimate and friendly term when referencing specific, local Muslims with whom he interacted.

Sadhana is a meditative practice used by multiple religions in India. It is frequently practiced through different variations of yoga. People engage in this discipline when trying to pursue a specific goal, as it helps ground them in their purpose. Gandhi uses this term as way of describing the goal that he and others had for years to push Britain to Quit India through nonviolent means.

This is a term that was originally coined by Gandhi himself and is both an ideal and a specific practice. The philosophy means to hold on to the truth firmly, specifically through nonviolent means. It is meant to be thought of as a state of mind in which all evil is resisted, as it does not encompass truth. However, the term also refers to specific acts of civil disobedience. For some, it signifies a “march,” as Gandhi led several Satyagrahas across India to protest the British. These marches helped draw attention to their cause without resorting to violence. Gandhi specifically references the term to pit it against the evil and violent practices of the empire.