Tag: india

Dayanand Saraswati (1824–1883) was a prominent social and religious reformer in India during the 19th century. He was the founder of the Arya Samaj, a reformist Hindu organization that sought to return Hinduism to its Vedic roots and reject the practices and beliefs that had crept into the religion over time. Dayanand Saraswati’s religio-political ideas…

Pre-modern political thought, particularly in the context of Indian political tradition, spans across various centuries and is deeply intertwined with religion, ethics, and social norms. Unlike modern political thought, which places a premium on concepts such as individual rights, democracy, and secularism, pre-modern political thought primarily focused on maintaining cosmic and social order, often justified…

Jai Prakash Narayan, often referred to as “JP,” was one of the most influential leaders in modern Indian political history. His contributions to the Indian freedom struggle, social reform, and political philosophy have left an indelible mark on the political landscape of post-independence India. JP’s socialist thought is best understood in the context of his…

Rabindranath Tagore, one of India’s most prominent intellectuals, poets, and philosophers, offered a nuanced and critical perspective on nationalism and freedom that diverged sharply from the mainstream nationalist discourse in India during the colonial era. His views on nationalism, freedom, and the nature of the nation state were deeply influenced by his philosophical, cultural, and…

M.N. Roy, an Indian revolutionary and a prominent thinker in the early 20th century, is widely known for his ideas on socialism, revolution, and democracy. Among his most unique and radical contributions was his theory of partyless democracy, which he articulated in the mid-20th century as a critique of the political systems of both colonial…

Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Indian Constitution and a towering intellectual of modern India, articulated a powerful vision of social and economic democracy. While political democracy, in the form of universal adult suffrage and representative government, was foundational to his thought, Ambedkar was deeply concerned that political democracy would remain hollow…

Pandita Ramabai (1858–1922) was a pioneering social reformer, educator, and writer who made significant contributions to the empowerment of women in 19th-century India. Born in a Brahmin family in the Marathi-speaking region of India, Ramabai broke free from the traditional norms of her time and played a vital role in challenging the patriarchal structures that…

Mahatma Gandhi, one of the most prominent leaders in the Indian independence movement, articulated a unique philosophy regarding the relationship between religion and politics. Gandhi’s views on this subject were deeply rooted in his personal spiritual beliefs and his vision for India’s social and political future. Unlike many of his contemporaries, who argued for a…

Swami Vivekananda (1863–1902) was a key figure in the spiritual and intellectual revival of India in the late 19th century. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential thinkers and reformers in modern Indian history. Vivekananda’s ideas on social change were deeply rooted in the spiritual and philosophical traditions of India, particularly Vedanta…

The Indian freedom struggle, spanning several decades, witnessed a variety of ideologies, strategies, and methods. Two major factions within the Indian National Congress (INC) during the early phase of the movement were the Moderates and the Extremists. Each of these groups contributed significantly to India’s struggle for independence, albeit in different ways. While both sought…

Jyotirao Phule (1827-1890) was one of the pioneering social reformers and a prominent figure in the social and educational renaissance of India during the 19th century. His revolutionary ideas and actions were pivotal in challenging the entrenched social hierarchies, particularly the caste system, and in promoting education and social justice. Phule’s work primarily focused on…

Nationalism in India is a multifaceted concept, deeply rooted in the country’s long history of colonialism, cultural diversity, and socio-political movements. Over the course of India’s struggle for independence, various strands of nationalism evolved, each influenced by different social, political, and economic factors. These strands of nationalism were shaped by the diverse leadership, ideologies, and…