Consider the following statements about the use of swadeshi goods:

1. Gopal Hari Deshmukh, better known as Lokahitawadi, of Bombay had urged the need to use indigenous goods.
2. In 1873, Bholanath Chandra preached the setting up of indigenous banks, companies, mills and factories, and denounced the practice of preferring foreign goods to home-made ones.
3. Rabindranath Tagore started the Swadeshi Bhandar in 1897.
4. Sarala Devi started the Lakshmi Bhandar in 1903.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: (b) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation

All four statements are correct. The idea of using Indian goods (swadeshi) began long before the Swadeshi Movement of 1905:

Gopal Hari Deshmukh (Lokahitawadi), a reformer from Maharashtra, urged people to use Indian goods in his *Shatapatre* ("hundred letters");
Bholanath Chandra, writing in *Mookerjee's Magazine* in 1873, called for Indian banks, mills and factories, and asked people not to buy foreign goods;
Rabindranath Tagore opened the Swadeshi Bhandar in 1897;
Sarala Devi Chaudhurani started the Lakshmi Bhandar in Calcutta in 1903 to sell Indian goods, especially to women.