Mains Practice Questions

Approach

• Begin your answer with a brief introduction to Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore.
• Discuss ideological differences between Mahatma Gandhi and Tagore.
• Summarize the key points of your comparison.

Introduction

Gandhi and Tagore, key figures in India's independence, had distinct approaches to education and nationalism, despite a common goal of freedom from British rule.

Body

Differences between Mahatma Gandhi and Tagore:

• Education:
  • Gandhi: Gandhi believed in the concept of 'Nai Talim' or 'Basic Education.
    • He advocated for a holistic education that nurtured practical, intellectual, and moral skills.
    • He promoted practical education to bridge the elite-mass divide.
  • Tagore: Tagore advocated a more liberal and cosmopolitan education.
    • He founded Shantiniketan to promote arts, creativity, and cultural integration.
    • His philosophy sought to cultivate well-rounded individuals who could value and enrich the world's diverse cultures.
• Nationalism:
  • Gandhi: His nationalism was characterized by non-violence and 'Satyagraha'.
    • Gandhi's nationalism was deeply rooted in the idea of self-reliance, self-sufficiency, and Swaraj.
    • He promoted the idea of boycotting British goods and institutions as a way to weaken British rule.
  • Tagore: Tagore's approach was more cosmopolitan and less confrontational.
    • He envisioned a nationalism beyond borders, focusing on cultural unity and harmony.
    • He saw India's heritage as a bridge between East and West and believed nationalism should unite, not isolate, India within global civilization.

Conclusion

While Gandhi focused on practical education and non-violence, shaping his nationalism. On the other hand, Tagore, with a liberal approach, had a universalistic view of nationalism.