Charkha In India, a charkha is literally translated into wheel. Today, charkha refers to a small spindle type spinning wheel used primarily for spinning cotton and other short stapled fibers such as cashmere, but can also be used to spin wool and longer stapled fibers. Versions of the charkha currently available include the book charkha which folds into a box the size of a hardbound novel, the briefcase charkha, and the tabletop or floor charkha. Mohandas K. Gandhi (Mahatma Gandhi) is often incorrectly attributed with the invention of the book charkha although he did strive for its invention and distribution to assist the peoples of India in their independence. The tabletop ot floor charkha is one of the oldest known forms of the spinning wheel.