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For Mahatma Gandhi, Satyagraha is: 1. a political force 2. a philosophy of life 3. an ideology of action Select the correct answer using the code given below :
Explanation
For Mahatma Gandhi, Satyagraha was a multi-dimensional concept. First, it was a potent political force and technique of resistance used to meet nationalist aims and challenge oppressive laws in South Africa and India [4]. Second, it was a philosophy of life rooted in the principles of truth (Satya) and non-violence (Ahimsa), which Gandhi believed could be applied at an individual level to address personal and social conflicts [2]. Third, it was an ideology of action, described as 'love in action' or 'soul-force' that required intense activity and the active participation of the masses rather than passive submission [3]. Gandhi emphasized that Satyagraha was not a weapon of the weak but a power for the strong, involving methods like non-cooperation and civil disobedience to achieve moral and political goals [3]. Thus, all three statements accurately describe Gandhi's conception of Satyagraha.
Sources
- [1] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 15: Emergence of Gandhi > Gandhi's Technique of Satyagraha > p. 315
- [4] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 15: Emergence of Gandhi > Satyagraha Against the Rowlatt Act— First Mass Strike > p. 321
- [2] India and the Contemporary World – II. History-Class X . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: Nationalism in India > Mahatma Gandhi on Satyagraha > p. 31
- [3] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 15: Emergence of Gandhi > Gandhi in India > p. 316