AIIMS BHOPAL NO- 2018( Shift-2nd)
General Knowledge
Easy

During the Indian freedom struggle, the concept of satyagraha was used as a method of_______

Appeared in: AIIMS BHOPAL NO- 2018( Shift-2nd)

Explanation

  • Satyagraha is derived from the Sanskrit words 'satya' (truth) and 'agraha' (insistence), meaning 'holding firmly to truth'.
  • The core method is to appeal to the conscience of the oppressor and persuade them to see the truth of the injustice.
  • It is a form of 'truth-force' or 'soul-force' that relies on non-violence (Ahimsa) and self-suffering (Tapasya) to convert, not coerce, the opponent.
  • The ultimate goal is not to defeat the adversary but to resolve the conflict by revealing the truth, leading to a change of heart.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

  • Option A: This is incorrect because Satyagraha is fundamentally based on the principle of Ahimsa, which means complete non-violence. Using physical force is antithetical to its core philosophy.
  • Option B: This is incorrect. Satyagraha explicitly aims to avoid harming the adversary. The goal is to destroy the unjust system or law, not the people enforcing it.
  • Option C: This is a subtle but important distinction. Satyagraha is not just 'less' violent; it is an active and absolute commitment to non-violence as a moral principle. It is different from passive resistance, which might be a strategic choice due to a lack of means for violence.

Related Visual

Visual explanation — Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
  • Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain The meaning and method of Satyagraha in the context of the Indian freedom struggle as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
  • The principle of Satyagraha, or non-violent resistance, has influenced major civil rights and freedom movements globally, including the American Civil Rights Movement led by Martin Luther King, Jr.
  • Understanding the distinction between active non-violence (Satyagraha) and passive resistance is crucial for analyzing the strategies and philosophies of different social and political movements.
  • The concept emphasizes resolving conflict through moral persuasion and mutual understanding rather than coercion, a principle applicable in many areas beyond politics, including negotiation and mediation.
How to Approach the Question
  • First, identify the key term in the question, which is 'satyagraha'.
  • Recall or deduce the meaning of this term. It is a compound word from Sanskrit: 'satya' (truth) + 'agraha' (insistence/holding firmly).
  • This etymology directly points to a method centered on 'truth'.
  • Evaluate each option based on this core meaning and the historical context of Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy.
  • Options involving 'physical force' and 'destruction' are forms of violence and can be eliminated as they contradict the principle of non-violence (Ahimsa) central to Gandhi's methods.
  • Compare the remaining options. 'Less-violent resistance' is vague and less precise than 'persuading the oppressor to see the truth'. Satyagraha is an active philosophy of complete non-violence, and its specific mechanism is to bring about a change of heart in the opponent by revealing the truth.
Concept Tested & Keywords
  • Concept Tested: The meaning and method of Satyagraha in the context of the Indian freedom struggle.
  • Stem keywords: Indian freedom struggle, satyagraha, method
  • Lead-in keywords: BEST, MOST RELEVANT CLUE
  • Negative lead-in flag: false

Question ID

QNtPcLOcJM15gtodmoXh2q

Reference Book

E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) p. 3070-3072

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