Introduction / Context:
Mahatma Gandhi developed a distinctive social and economic philosophy for India based on simplicity, self reliance, non violence and village centred development. Exam questions often ask which ideas are consistent with his thinking and which belong to later industrial models. This question checks whether learners can distinguish between Gandhian ideals and the heavy industrialisation path that became prominent under other leaders after independence.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- The focus is on ideas advocated by Mahatma Gandhi.
- Options include prohibition, village Panchayats, dignity of labour, heavy industries and khadi and cottage industries.
- We assume basic familiarity with Gandhian thought and writings.
- The task is to identify the one idea that does not fit his approach.
Concept / Approach:
Gandhi favoured decentralised, rural oriented development. He spoke strongly for the dignity of labour, local self government through Panchayats, prohibition of alcohol and promotion of khadi and small scale industries. In contrast, he was sceptical of large scale heavy industrialisation, which he felt could concentrate wealth and power. By mapping each option to these known positions, we can select the one that he did not advocate.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Gandhi supported prohibition of alcohol as part of his moral and social reform programme.
Step 2: Remember that he emphasised village self governance and wanted strong Panchayats at the local level.
Step 3: He consistently honoured manual work and promoted the dignity of labour, especially in spinning khadi and small scale production.
Step 4: Gandhi promoted khadi and cottage industries as symbols of self reliance and resistance to imported goods.
Step 5: Heavy industries based development, such as large steel plants and massive factories, was not part of his ideal vision and became associated more with later industrial policy under other leaders.
Step 6: Therefore, the idea that Gandhi did not advocate is development based on heavy industries, which corresponds to option b.
Verification / Alternative check:
A useful verification method is to remember that Gandhi imagined independent India as a network of self sufficient villages, each relying on local resources and small scale industries. This picture does not include big factories and heavy machinery dominating the economy. Later, the country adopted a mixed model that did include heavy industries, but that was a departure from Gandhi's romanticised village republic vision. This contrast confirms that heavy industries are not a Gandhian ideal.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option a is wrong as the answer because prohibition of alcohol was clearly supported by Gandhi as part of moral reform and discipline. Option c is incorrect since Gandhi strongly believed in empowering people through village Panchayats and grassroots democracy. Option d is wrong because he repeatedly argued that all forms of honest labour, including manual work, deserve dignity. Option e is not the correct answer because promotion of khadi and cottage industries was central to his constructive programme and the famous spinning wheel symbol.
Common Pitfalls:
Some learners confuse later national industrial policy, which highlighted heavy industries as temples of modern India, with Gandhi's own views and assume he supported that model. Others may not realise how strongly he favoured local village economies and small scale production. To avoid such errors, students should separate Gandhi's philosophy from that of later leaders and remember simple associations such as Gandhi, village, khadi, non violence and decentralisation, rather than heavy industry and large dams.
Final Answer:
The idea that was not advocated by Mahatma Gandhi is development based on heavy industries.
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