Gandhi and Nehru were two important leaders in the fight for India's independence. They had different ideas about how to achieve freedom, and these differences shaped the direction of the movement. Understanding their views helps us see what was happening in the Indian National Congress and the wider struggle for independence.

Their Ideas

1. Gandhi's Beliefs:

   • Nonviolence (Ahimsa): Gandhi strongly believed in not using violence. He thought that fighting back with anger would only create more problems and divide people.
   • Constructive Program: He wanted people to become self-sufficient. For example, he promoted using the spinning wheel (Charkha) to make their own clothes (khadi) and improve village life.

2. Nehru's Ideas:

   • Modernization: Nehru wanted a new and modern India. He dreamed of a country that was industrialized and had better technology to help it grow.
   • Secularism: Nehru believed in a society where different religions could live together peacefully. This was different from Gandhi, who often focused on Hindu beliefs in the independence struggle.

Key Events Showing Their Differences

1. Civil Disobedience Movement (1930-1934):

   • Gandhi organized the Salt March to protest British salt laws. Many people joined his peaceful protests, which highlighted his connection to the common people.
   • Nehru supported Gandhi but felt that sometimes a stronger approach was needed. He thought that if peaceful protests didn't work, then armed resistance might be necessary.

2. Quit India Movement (1942):

   • Gandhi's slogan "Do or Die" showed how much he cared about peaceful resistance. But this led to the arrest of many leaders, including Nehru, which weakened their efforts.
   • Nehru wanted to push harder for independence, but he had to go along with Gandhi's ideas. This created some tension between them.

Impact on the Movement

• Getting People Involved:

  • Gandhi was great at rallying a lot of people. For example, the Salt March had around 100,000 participants. This showed he had a strong connection with ordinary folks, while Nehru attracted more educated ones.

• Differences Within Congress:

  • By the late 1940s, the Indian National Congress was split. About 60% of its leaders supported Gandhi’s ideas, while many younger leaders were inspired by Nehru’s vision for a modern India.

Effects on Independence

• Talks with the British: The clashes between Gandhi and Nehru’s ideas made negotiating with the British tougher. Gandhi used moral arguments, while Nehru focused on practical solutions, which sometimes led to disagreements about strategy.

• Partition and Aftermath: Their different viewpoints also played a part in the Partition of India. Gandhi wanted unity among all communities, while Nehru’s ideas about secularism faced difficulties. This tension contributed to the painful separation of India in 1947.

Conclusion

In short, the different beliefs of Gandhi and Nehru affected how they fought for India’s independence. Gandhi’s focus on nonviolence brought many people together, while Nehru’s vision for a modern nation laid out plans for the future of India. Their contrasting ideas shaped an important time in history.