"Khadi: Gandhi's Mega Symbol of Subversion investigates the power of a symbol to qualitatively transform society, studying Mahatma Gandhi's use of clothing as a metaphor for unity, empowerment and liberation from imperial subjugation. Bringing together historical evidence of Gandhi's search for a semiotics of attire in his quest for personal integrity and socio-political change, this book elaborates on the subversion underlying Gandhi's sartorial communication from a multidisciplinary perspective. It brings out the complexity of the issue in diverse contexts such as British Empire and the Indian National Congress, Hindu-Muslim tension, the urban-rural divide, and Ambedkar and untouchability. Following a philosophical discourse, the book provides contextual analysis of the symbolic potential of khadi, investigating it not as mere 'revolution' or 'sedition', but as a sustained strategy towards achieving purna swaraj. Photographs, illustrations and an extensive appendix enrich the historical nature of the study, making it useful for scholars in various fields of study."--Publisher's website