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Introduction:

The Indian National Movement, a significant epoch in the annals of Indian history, witnessed the emergence of two of its most influential leaders – Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. Their ideologies, strategies, and contributions not only shaped the contours of the movement but also played a pivotal role in India’s quest for independence. 

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Mahatma Gandhi: Strategy and Goals

• Non-Violent Resistance: Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence (Ahimsa) and civil disobedience became the cornerstone of the freedom struggle. His leadership in the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-22) and the Salt Satyagraha (1930) are prime examples. These movements mobilized masses, cutting across class and caste barriers, thus transforming the national movement into a mass movement.
• Constructive Work: Gandhi emphasized on constructive work for national regeneration – promoting Khadi, village industries, and national education. This approach was pivotal in awakening a sense of self-reliance and socio-economic upliftment among Indians.
• Communal Harmony: Gandhi’s efforts in promoting Hindu-Muslim unity, as seen in the Khilafat Movement (1919-24), showcased his commitment to communal harmony, crucial for national solidarity.

Jawaharlal Nehru: Strategy and Goals

• Modernist and Socialist Outlook: Nehru, influenced by socialist principles, envisioned an independent India with a scientific and rational outlook. His emphasis on industrialization and modern technology as tools for nation-building distinguished his vision from Gandhi’s.
• National and International Integration: Nehru’s role in the formation of the Indian National Congress’s socialist wing in the 1930s, and his internationalist approach through initiatives like the Non-Aligned Movement post-independence, demonstrate his commitment to both national and international integration.
• Championing Secularism: Nehru’s staunch support for a secular India was instrumental in shaping the country’s constitutional and legal framework, ensuring equality and freedom for all religious communities.

Collaborative Contributions:

• United Front Against Colonial Rule: Despite their ideological differences, Gandhi and Nehru complemented each other in the freedom struggle. Gandhi’s mass mobilization strategies coupled with Nehru’s modernist approach helped create a broad-based movement against British rule.
• Purna Swaraj (Complete Independence): The declaration of Purna Swaraj in 1930 under Gandhi’s leadership, later fervently supported by Nehru, marked a significant shift in the movement’s goal from dominion status to complete independence.
• Institution Building: Their combined efforts in institution building, notably in the Congress Party, laid the groundwork for democratic governance post-independence.

Conclusion:

The roles of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru were complementary in shaping the strategy and goals of the Indian National Movement. Gandhi’s emphasis on non-violence, grassroots mobilization, and moral regeneration, coupled with Nehru’s focus on modernization, secularism, and internationalism, provided a multifaceted leadership that not only accelerated India’s struggle for independence but also laid the foundation for a modern, democratic India. Their legacy continues to inspire and guide the nation in its ongoing journey towards realizing the ideals of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity.

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