1. Gandhi’s Hind Swaraj influenced by?

A. Bismarck’s Germany

B. Garibaldi’s Italy

C. Mazzini’s Italy

D. Lenin’s Russia

Answer

The correct answer is C. Mazzini’s Italy.

Explanation:

• Hind Swaraj is a book written by Mahatma Gandhi in 1909, outlining his vision for Indian self-rule (Swaraj).
• Gandhi was significantly influenced by Giuseppe Mazzini, an Italian nationalist, and a key figure in the unification of Italy. Mazzini’s ideas about self-determination, national unity, and the moral basis of politics resonated with Gandhi.
• In Hind Swaraj, Gandhi criticizes Western civilization and industrialization while advocating for a return to simple, self-sufficient village life. His emphasis on moral and ethical leadership, along with the importance of self-rule, reflects the influence of Mazzini’s thoughts on national sovereignty and individual responsibility.
• Mazzini’s dedication to creating a unified, free Italy inspired Gandhi’s vision of an independent India based on nonviolent resistance and moral integrity.

Brief explanation of the other options:

• A. Bismarck’s Germany: Otto von Bismarck was the architect of German unification through realpolitik and military strategy. His approach was focused on power politics, which is quite different from Gandhi’s philosophy of nonviolence and moral leadership.

• B. Garibaldi’s Italy: Giuseppe Garibaldi was a military leader who played a key role in the unification of Italy. While he was a contemporary of Mazzini, his methods were more about armed struggle, which contrasts with Gandhi’s emphasis on nonviolence.

• D. Lenin’s Russia: Vladimir Lenin led the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, establishing a communist state. Lenin’s methods involved class struggle and revolutionary violence, which are fundamentally different from Gandhi’s principles of nonviolent resistance and self-rule.

2. Gandhiji was influenced by?

1. John Ruskin

2. Henry Thoreau

3. Tolstoy

4. Plato & Aristotle

Answer

The correct answer is option 3 i.e, Henry David Thoreau, John Ruskin and Jainism.

Key Points

• Gandhian ideology is the set of social and religious ideas adopted and developed by Mahatma Gandhi.
• John Ruskin’s book ‘Unto his last’ had a lasting impact on Gandhiji Psych.
• Gandhiji was also influenced by the non-violence principle preached by Jainism.
• His ideology emphasizes not on idealism, but on practical idealism.
• Its objective is to transform the individual and society in accordance with the principles of truth and non-violence.  
• Truth, Sarvodaya, nonviolence, and Satyagraha and their significance constitute Gandhian philosophy. They are considered to be four pillars of Gandhian thought.
• Gandhi was greatly moved by Thoreau’s concept that prison is where a man belongs under an unjust government and referred to him as a Teacher.
• Henry David Thoreau was an American essayist, poet, and practical philosopher.