Spinning Cotton on a Charkha - a little (inaccurate) history and what do all the bits do?

[@janecunningham8715]

What I found while doing research was Great Britan burned all India's spinning wheels. Gondie offered a reward for anyone who could make one small enough to hide and easily moved from place to place. One place said the word Charkha means ashes. This was a few years ago.

[@perseusvlasov367]

When they say British destroyed India's spinning wheels, I think they meant the industries of India, coz before the british came, India held for a quarter of the world's trade and 23 percent of overall world wealth just from India. It's the richest country in medieval India. And the british made it into a third world poverty stricken nation in just a span of 150-200 years. The method they used to do this is by forcing Indian exporters to pay high tariffs on their products for exports, taxing importers in their other colonies including Great Britain. Very soon, India just became a raw material supplier for british manufactured goods and biggest consumer of the british goods(Irony). Gandhi used the spinning wheel as a sign of protest, it is a message for Indians about the importance of self reliance.

[@amidala3927]

Google "Gandhi charkha movement", "homespun movement", and "Swadeshi movement" to see that this is wrong. Gandhi did have a contest, but to make a portable charkha (which is a term for any spinning wheel of any size) so that Indians could make their own cloth and not rely on British imports.

[@wandagrayson646]

Wow, that was the most helpful video. I found a Indian Charka at my local yarn shop tucked away on a shelf that they didn’t know what to do with. I did! But I didn’t know what all the extra pieces were. You solved the riddle and I hope to get spinning shortly. Thanks so much for the guidance!

[@prairiefirebird9902]

That is so COOL! Thanks for showing and demonstrating. Love how your kitty wants to help too!

[@GraceTheBabbler]

He is ever so helpful! 😂

[@WorkingProgress17]

It's funny. It seems like we're dealing with these same types of restrictions today; too expensive for the commoner to buy a spinner.

[@shllybkwrm]

So cool to see you getting into this! I may have to have my mom pick up a charkha for me on her next India trip.

[@GraceTheBabbler]

Yes!! Inside track!

[@TaoOfCharlie]

Wonderful demonstration! I’ve always wanted one of these. I think you’ve talked me into it!

[@angeltrott6792]

Absolutely brilliant! I bought mine from the Woolery over 10 years ago, but never quite got the hang of it. Thanks to your excellent video I’m going to try again and keep at it this time. Thank you so very much! 😃

[@cooneenw4399]

Where were you three years ago when I got mine. Excellent video. Well done you!

[@GossipswithEunice]

Thank you for this video! I bought my Charkha! Can’t wait to learn.

[@kmcnaughton2003]

Absolute rubbish. The book charkha was developed to take up less space than the standard vertical charkha . Charkha means wheel not ashes. The Indian national flag has a charkha on it. I was taught this by my spinning teacher, a Punjabi lady called Mrs. Kohli. Ghandi wanted Indians to spin as a way out of poverty, also as a way to boycott British goods.

[@amidala3927]

Your history is entirely wrong. Google "Gandhi Charkha Movement". Long story short: Gandhi promoted fabric production as a means of Indian self-sufficiency and self-rule, so much so that it was put in their flag (hardly hiding it from the British). A "charkha" was any size spinning wheel, large or small. Gandhi held a contest to develope a highly portable one so that every Indian could carry one and, whenever they had spare time, could spin. The winning design is what we now call book charkha--or just charkha. He took one to prison with him to make his own clothes.

[@cornwallcrafter8410]

Looks like you put the handle back on the drive wheel and use it to run the skeiner?

[@GraceTheBabbler]

No the handle gets caught in the Skeiner if you try that.

[@christinec1928]

I thought there must be a hole somewhere to support the spindle while using the skeiner. Looks like they thought of everything. That was so cool.

[@bernadinebiggs4303]

Wonderful! I'd love to try one of these.

[@GraceTheBabbler]

I’ll bring it to the next meeting we have x

[@heroandflor]

Now I must get one!! adorable!! and so functional

[@MrSquirrelDog]

That’s a beautiful box of Happy!

[@GraceTheBabbler]

It sure is David! Lovely to see you again! Xxx

[@lisamcdonnell]

That's a brilliant little machine and it's history is very interesting.

[@GraceTheBabbler]

I was so excited to get it!

[@MOODICHANNELDEEPAKCHAVAN]

How much this price charkha and bay them

[@gloriaknight4098]

I have no idea what I am doing wrong. I been trying to start it up and it keeps breaking.

[@ManjitKaur-yp6mu]

What's it's price

[@yettaoshea8869]

LOL! Was wondering when Beans was going to get into the game.

[@GraceTheBabbler]

#beansisalwaysinthegame

[@snehaldsalokhe]

Can u share link ...where u bought it from....need to buy it urgently

[@GraceTheBabbler]

Snehal Salokhe the link is in the description box xx

[@snehaldsalokhe]

Grace O'Neill thank u ☺☺☺

[@amitpatil7]

Finally received it after 2 month...due to lockdown....but having problem in opening it...it is stuck..inside... Can u help..?

[@bernadettepauling9140]

amit patil, if you have a hair dryer, you can warm the seam to loosen it. When I first got mine, I pulled so hard that when it finally opened, everything flew out. I hope that you’ve solved the puzzle, and you are enjoying spinning.

[@EsteeDarla]

amazing this why that country so uner developed this is amazing invention I want to get one of these

[@ManjitKaur-yp6mu]

I want to sale it

[@illitilli3110]

Amazing!

[@GraceTheBabbler]

I think so!!

[@Cjohnson719]

I need that spindle, GIMME!!!!!! 9:50

[@akp_the_artist]

I don't want to be political, but this little machine propelled India's freedom movement. Gandhi practiced and preached for self made yarn and fabric. And people rallied behind him. For us Indians, this wheel is more than a machine. Thank you for this well made video.

[@GraceTheBabbler]

Thank you! It is amazing how much textiles have influenced a huge amount of world politics.

[@akp_the_artist]

@@GraceTheBabbler Yes!! Apart from that, Mr. Gandhi promoted it as it provided self employment and it made people self reliant, a couple of things that the contemporary Indians needed the most.