Consider the following statements about the different meanings of ‘Swaraj’ as articulated by Mahatma Gandhi:
- Swaraj is intimately linked with Ahimsa (non-violence) and Satyagraha (adherence to truth).
- Swaraj has two senses—one political and one beyond the realm of politics.
- Swaraj is something that requires time and patience to acquire.
- With determination, Swaraj could be obtained easily and quickly.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”1 and 2 only” option3=”3 and 4″ option4=”1, 2 and 3″ correct=”option4″]
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-1 – 2017
Statements 1, 2, and 3 accurately reflect Mahatma Gandhi’s understanding of ‘Swaraj’. Statement 1 is correct; Gandhi’s concept of Swaraj was fundamentally linked to his principles of Ahimsa (non-violence) and Satyagraha (adherence to truth and force of truth). Statement 2 is correct; he spoke of Swaraj both in the political sense (national independence) and in a deeper, personal sense (self-rule, self-control, liberation from inner evils), which goes beyond conventional politics. Statement 3 is correct; achieving true Swaraj, both individually and nationally, was seen by Gandhi as a process requiring patient effort, self-discipline, and consistent application of Satyagraha and the constructive program. Statement 4 contradicts his philosophy; Gandhi did not believe Swaraj could be obtained easily and quickly but required deep personal and societal transformation built over time.
– Gandhi’s Swaraj is intertwined with Ahimsa and Satyagraha.
– Swaraj has political and spiritual/personal dimensions.
– Achieving Swaraj is a gradual process requiring patience and effort.