Explain Swadeshi Movement.

The Swadeshi Movement was a socio-economic and political campaign launched in India during the early 20th century, aimed at promoting indigenous industries, self-reliance, and resistance against British colonial rule. The movement emerged in response to the partition of Bengal in 1905 by the British colonial administration, which sparked widespread protests and boycotts across India.

Central to the Swadeshi Movement was the promotion of domestic goods and the boycott of British-made products as a means of economic resistance against colonial exploitation. Indians were urged to boycott British goods, including textiles, salt, and imported goods, and instead support locally produced goods, or "Swadeshi" products. This included the revival of traditional handicrafts, cottage industries, and indigenous manufacturing processes.

The Swadeshi Movement also encompassed cultural and educational revival, with efforts to promote Indian languages, literature, art, and education. The movement sought to instill a sense of national pride, unity, and identity among Indians, fostering solidarity in the struggle for independence.

While the Swadeshi Movement did not achieve immediate independence, it played a significant role in mobilizing public opinion, building grassroots support, and laying the foundation for the larger freedom struggle against British colonial rule in India.