Gandhian Philosophy

Key Pointers

Core principles: Satya (truth) and Ahimsa (non-violence); means and ends are inseparable.
Satyagraha: 'Truth-force'; Gandhi replaced 'passive resistance' with the term (Maganlal Gandhi's Sadagraha modified); methods: non-cooperation, civil disobedience, hartal, fasting, picketing, hijrat, boycott.
Sarvodaya: 'Welfare of all'; inspired by John Ruskin's Unto This Last; Vinoba Bhave's Bhoodan movement later.
Swaraj: Self-rule at individual and community levels; Hind Swaraj (1909) criticised modern civilisation and industrialisation.
Swadeshi and khadi: Self-reliance; village industries.
Trusteeship: The wealthy should act as trustees of their wealth for society.
Gram Swaraj: Self-sufficient villages and decentralised governance.
Constructive programme: Hindu–Muslim unity, removal of untouchability (Harijan), khadi, prohibition, village industries, women's upliftment, Nai Talim/Basic Education (Wardha Scheme, 1937; Zakir Husain Committee).
Influences: Bhagavad Gita, Jainism (Shrimad Rajchandra), Sermon on the Mount, Tolstoy (The Kingdom of God is Within You), Thoreau (Civil Disobedience), Ruskin.
Ashrams: Phoenix, Tolstoy Farm, Sabarmati, Sevagram (Wardha, 1936).
Writings: Hind Swaraj (1909); The Story of My Experiments with Truth (autobiography).
Criticism and relevance: Critiqued for rejection of industrialisation and focus on spiritual approaches; remains relevant for non-violent protest, environmentalism, and rural development.

MCQs

Q2. Gandhi's concept of 'Sarvodaya' was inspired by: (a) Tolstoy's Kingdom of God is Within You (b) Ruskin's Unto This Last (c) Thoreau's Walden (d) Marx's Das Kapital Answer: (b).

Q3. The theory that wealthy people should hold wealth as a trust for society is called: (a) Swadeshi (b) Trusteeship (c) Satyagraha (d) Antyodaya Answer: (b).