IGNOUMATIC

The Indian National Movement, which sought to achieve independence from British colonial rule, saw a division in the strategies and methods adopted by different groups within the Indian National Congress (INC). The two major factions that emerged were the Moderates and the Extremists. These two groups differed significantly in their…

Political leadership has always been an essential driver in any nation’s social transformation, and in India, the role of political leadership in reforming society has been particularly significant. The Indian society, characterized by a rigid caste system, gender inequality, and widespread illiteracy, required visionary leadership to address these deep-rooted social…

Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (1891–1956), one of the most influential social reformers, jurists, and thinkers in modern India, is best known for his central role in drafting the Indian Constitution and his relentless struggle against caste-based discrimination. Ambedkar’s ideological orientation was a complex amalgamation of various intellectual, political, and social…

Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister (1947–1964), was a central figure in the country’s political development and a significant architect of the Indian democratic system. Nehru’s vision of parliamentary democracy was grounded in his democratic ideals, commitment to social justice, and belief in the necessity of rational governance. Nehru’s views…

Mahatma Gandhi (1869–1948), one of the foremost leaders in the Indian struggle for independence, had a profound and nuanced understanding of the relationship between religion and politics. For Gandhi, the two were inextricably linked, not in a conventional or institutionalized sense, but in a more personal, spiritual, and ethical manner.…

Jyotirao Govindrao Phule (1827–1890), widely known as Jyotiba Phule, was a pioneering Indian social reformer, thinker, and activist who laid the foundation for social revolution in 19th-century colonial India. He emerged as one of the earliest critics of the caste system and Brahminical orthodoxy. His efforts were directed not merely…

Sri Aurobindo (1872–1950) was a prominent Indian nationalist, philosopher, poet, and spiritual leader who played a pivotal role in the early 20th century’s Indian independence movement. Aurobindo’s critique of political moderates in India, particularly those aligned with the Indian National Congress (INC) and their approach to achieving self-rule under British…

Sir Syed Ahmed Khan (1817–1898) was a renowned scholar, social reformer, and educator during the British colonial period in India. He is best known for his efforts to modernize Muslim society and promote education, but his views on Hindu-Muslim unity and inter-community relations are also significant. His thoughts on this…

The relationship between religion and politics in pre-modern Indian political thought is complex, shaped by diverse philosophical traditions, religious practices, and political systems that existed throughout Indian history. In ancient and medieval Indian society, religion was often intricately woven into the fabric of politics, governance, and social structure. It influenced…