Which of the following formative influences shaped the philosophy and ideas of Mahatma Gandhi in his early life and career?

Introduction / Context:
This question deals with the intellectual and spiritual influences that helped shape Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy. Gandhi did not construct his ideas in isolation; he drew upon Indian religious traditions as well as Western thinkers and movements. Knowing which currents influenced him helps to explain his views on religion, politics, non-violence and social reform. The statements here ask you to identify which influences are historically well-attested and which are more doubtful or incorrect.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- Statement 1: Gandhi was influenced by the 18th century Pranami sect, which stressed the unity of faiths.
- Statement 2: Gandhi was influenced by the Theosophists he met, particularly in London.
- Statement 3: Gandhi was an admirer of Romantic poets like Wordsworth and shaped his philosophy around them.
- You must choose the option that correctly combines the historically supported influences on Gandhi.

Concept / Approach:
Gandhi's family background in Gujarat exposed him to the Vaishnava tradition and to the Pranami sect, which emphasized harmony among Hindu, Islamic and other beliefs. In London, he came into contact with members of the Theosophical Society, who encouraged him to read the Bhagavad Gita in translation and to think about universal religion. However, while Gandhi read widely, there is no strong evidence that English Romantic poets like Wordsworth significantly shaped his core philosophy compared to thinkers such as Tolstoy, Ruskin, or the Gita itself. By comparing these historical facts with the statements, we can decide which are correct.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Gandhi's upbringing in a region where the Pranami sect was active and his own references to the unity of religions support statement 1 as correct. Step 2: In London, Gandhi was encouraged by Theosophists to explore Hindu scriptures like the Gita, and he acknowledged their role, so statement 2 is also correct. Step 3: Gandhi's main Western influences were Leo Tolstoy, John Ruskin, and Henry David Thoreau, not specifically the Romantic poets; statement 3 exaggerates the role of Wordsworth and is not typically cited in standard histories. Step 4: Therefore, only statements 1 and 2 accurately describe major formative influences, which corresponds to option A.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, you can recall that Gandhi himself wrote about being deeply affected by Tolstoy's “The Kingdom of God Is Within You” and Ruskin's “Unto This Last”. These works influenced his ideas on simple living, labour and morality far more than Romantic poetry. Gandhi also repeatedly emphasized religious harmony and the essential unity of all faiths, echoing ideas associated with the Pranami sect and his Vaishnava environment. The limited, indirect references to Romantic literature confirm that statement 3 does not carry the same weight as the other two.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B (2 and 3 only) wrongly treats statement 3 as correct and omits Gandhi's upbringing in the Pranami-influenced environment, which is a significant omission. Option C (1, 2 and 3) assumes all three influences were equally valid, but that overstates the role of Romantic poets in Gandhi's life. Option D (1 only) ignores the well-established impact of the Theosophists in London on Gandhi's early religious explorations. Only option A correctly highlights the two key influences represented in statements 1 and 2.

Common Pitfalls:
Students often assume that any famous literary movement in England must have influenced Gandhi during his stay in London. This leads to over-attributing importance to the Romantic poets or to Victorian novelists. Another mistake is to overlook the importance of Gandhi's Indian religious background, including specific sects like Pranami, and to focus only on Western influences. Remember that Gandhi's thought emerged from a dialogue between Indian spiritual traditions and selected Western moral thinkers, not primarily from English Romantic poetry.

Final Answer:
Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy was shaped significantly by the Pranami sect's message of unity of faiths and by his interactions with Theosophists, while Romantic poets like Wordsworth were not central to his ideas. Therefore, the correct choice is 1 and 2 only, which is option A.