Excavating Nationalism: A Study of

Epistolary Literature by Gandhiji,

Rabindranath Tagore and Sardar Patel

A Research Proposal
submitted for
the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
in English

by
Ms. Bhavna Sonvane

Veer Narmad South Gujarat University, Surat

November, 2021

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Introduction: -

The nationalist Movement in India which started in early 19 th century

marked national protest against colonial regime and its oppression. The national
leaders including Gandhiji, Sardar Patel, Jawaharlal Nehru, Subhash Chandra
Bose, Bhagat Singh, Lala Lajpat Rai, Veer Savarkar, Shyamji Krushna Verma and
Pandit Din Dayal Upadhyay have their different ideals and ideologies regarding
nationalism. Their invaluable views on patriotism, nationalism, nation, equality,
harmony, resistance and unity are scattered in their epistolary literature, especially
in their diaries and letters. Complete decolonization of the nation was a dream of
these national leaders.

A nation is a historically evolved, stable community of language, territory,

economic life, and psychological make up manifested in a community of culture. It
means a historical community which share common culture. It shares a distinct
language and culture. It includes culturally homogeneous groups of people. These
people have a common national character. There are five chief features of a nation:
a stable and continuing community, common language, distinct territory, economic
cohesion and collective character.

Nationalism is a creed, belief or political ideology which involves an

individual identifying with one’s nation. It shows strong engagement and
attachment towards his or her nation. It is one of the most visible forces of the 19th
century. It involves both an issue of identity and involvement for civic or socio-
political movement. It is as much of process of formation of nation. It also shows
individual’s sense of belonging to his or her nation. In the context of India, it has
its connection with the freedom movement as it expresses not only national dream
of decolonizing India but it also signifies the dreams and aspirations of the leaders
after getting political freedom. It marked the resistance against the British masters
and their exploitative policies.

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 The proposed Research Work aims to examine nationalism in the epistolary
literature of three great leaders: Gandhiji, Rabindra Nath Tagore and Sardar Patel.
It is sincerely proposed with a purpose to analyze their ideas and ideals of
nationalism and building a strong, united, harmonious and free nation reflected in
their letters. These writers use their writings not only to resist the cruel and
exploitative policies of the British colonisers but also to motivate people for
national struggle for freedom. Their epistolary literature also expresses the
collective consciousness of not an individual but all Indians during pre and post-
colonial period.

Significance of the Proposed Research Work:

 The Proposed Research Work will examine and explore nationalism as

reflected in the epistolary literature of three great leaders of Indian national
struggle for freedom: Gandhiji, Rabindranath Tagore and Sardar
Valllbhbhai Patel
 It will compare these three nationalists and their opinions regarding
freedom struggle, nation, nationality, nationalism etc.
 It will examine their letters written to various prominent people of their
time with a purpose to explore their ideas and ideology regarding national
struggle and nationalism
 It will also try to find out their political role in national freedom movement
of India and how they managed the great movement with their strong sense
of patriotism and love for free India.
 This proposed study will explore the voice of resistance and strategies of
resistance against the colonial regime.
 It will expose the exploitative policies of the British colonisers who
oppressed Indian masses and exploited Indians politically, socially,
economically and psychologically.

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  It will expand the space of Indian critical tradition in the field of epistolary
literature.

Review of Literature: -

Nationalism in India: Texts and Contexts is an important book edited by

Debajyoti Biswas and John Charles Ryan. It is a collection of multidisciplinary
perspectives expressed in various articles written by scholars. It also includes
critical appraisal of many literary texts in English which express ideas and ideals
on nationalism. Rabindra Nath Tagore’s Nationalism depict his ideas on
nationalism. It is collection of his speeches which was published in 1917. It
conveys Tagore’s attempt to dissociate himself from the general belief of
nationalism. He tries to associate it with ideas such as peace, harmony and welfare.
He argues further that if anyway India decides to contribute the world; it should be
only in the form of humanity. Literature and Nation: Britain and India 1800-1990
is a popular book edited by Harish Trivedi and Richard Allen. It is a collection of
essays from the scholars on prominent texts on concept on nation and how it is
presented in literature. Simone Panter-Brick’s Gandhi and Nationalism: The Path
to Indian Independence presents how Gandhiji aimed at moral regeneration. For
him, end of colonial rule was not the aim of independence of the nation but it
included peace and harmony. Neelam Pandey’s Sardar Patel and Indian
Nationalism expresses Patel’s ideas on nationalism and unity in India.

Objectives of Proposed Research Work: -

 To focus on epistolary literature of Gandhiji, Rabindra Nath Tagore

and Sardar Patel with a purpose to explore ideology of nationalism.
 To analyze their letters with a purpose to find out their ideas and
thoughts about nation, nationality, freedom struggle and
decolonising India.

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  To study their political and social influence on national struggle for
freedom and the power of their literature to motivate Indians for
freedom of the nation.
 To study the tone and temper of their answer to the political and
economic subjugation by the colonizers.
 To investigate the different ideas, ideals and ideologies for free
India and decolonizing the nation.
 To expose Colonisers’ policies and strategies of socio-cultural,
economic and political exploitation and oppression of Indians.
 To glorify national freedom movement and our great leaders and
their literature.

Research Methodology: -

The select primary data of the authors have been taken up for the
study; it is analyzed through the descriptive and comparative modes. The proposed
work does not require any practical or field work. The epistolary literature written
by three great nationalists namely Gandhiji, Rabindra Nath Tagore and Sardar
Patel will be used as a primary source and reference books, articles, magazines,
research papers, newspapers etc. will be used as a secondary source.

Hypothesis:-

This Research Work will explore nationalism in the letters by three

great nationalists namely Gandhiji, Rabindra Nath Tagore and Sardar Patel. Their
letters will be analysed to examine their ideologies for Nation, Nationalism,
Equality, Economic, Development, Rural Development, Struggle for Freedom etc.
Moreover, their dreams, expectations and ideas for free India, its overall
development as a powerful nation of the world will be examined and explored
from their letters to many prominent persons of their times.

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Scope of the Proposed Research Work: -

For the proposed research work, the letters written by Gandhiji, Rabindra
Nath Tagore and Sardar Patel will be critiqued for in-depth study. They will be
examined in present context. The study will be useful for policy makers for
framing new policies for developed nation.

Research Plan:-

Chapter 1: Introduction

The introductory chapter will analyse nationalism. Various definitions,

concepts and ideologies regarding nation and nationalism will be surveyed and
discussed in this chapter. It will analyse colonization of India, Indian national
struggle for freedom and contribution of our great leaders in freedom movement.
The chapter will be divided into four sections. Various definitions, concepts and
ideologies regarding nation and nationalism will be debated in the first section.
The second section will present a brief survey of great national leaders and their
contribution in the freedom struggle. The role of literature in inspiring national
movement for freedom and some important works of nationalist literature will be
mentioned and analysed in the third section. The fourth section will briefly present
the life and literary works of three great nationalists, Gandhiji, Rabindra Nath
Tagore and Sardar Patel.

Chapter 2: Analysing Nationalism in Letters written by Gandhiji

The second chapter will analyse nationalism and the idea of nation
explored in the letters written by Gandhiji. It will examine his ideas regarding
home rule, Swaraj, untouchability, cleanliness, economic and rural development,
role of women in national movement for freedom etc. It will explore his concepts
for ideal nation (Ram Rajya), freedom, decolonizing India, mobilizing mass for

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national movement, and equality. It will illustrate how Gandhiji penned down his
ideas of resistance against the colonial policies of exploitation of Indians.

Chapter 3: Analysing Nationalism in Letters written by Rabindra Nath

Tagore

Rabindra Nath Tagore was a prominent writer who contributed in freedom

movement. His works are full of nationalist spirit. The writer of “Vande Matram”
had played an active role in mobilizing the mass for freedom of India. The third
chapter will analyse ideas and ideals regarding nationalism explored in his letters.
It will examine his ideas regarding equality, fraternity, development, Vishwa
Bharati etc. Tagore’s humanistic vision is explored in his writings, especially in his
letters to many prominent persons of his time. His perception of nationalism is
manly relied on ancient Indian philosophy where the world was accepted as a
single nest. The chapter will also explore his ideas regarding peace and harmony
for national welfare. It will discuss how Tagore ignited the flames of nationalism
and humanism through his letters.

Chapter 4: Analysing Nationalism in Letters written by Sardar Patel

Sardar Patel, the Iron Man of India had played crucial role in uniting India.
His is well-known for his great contribution in national integration. His letters
reflect his ideals and ideologies for a strong and developed India. He had made
great contribution in national movement for freedom. The fourth chapter will
analyse ideas and ideals regarding nationalism explored in his letters. It will
examine his ideas for free and united India. It will explore Sardar Patel’s vision for
free India.

Chapter 5: Conclusion

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 The concluding chapter will make a comparative study of these three great
nationalist writers and their ideas and ideologies for nation and nationalism. It will
explore how they had presented their vision of free India and how they dream free
nation. It will examine their contribution in spreading nationalistic thought which
inspired Indians to actively contribute in the freedom movement. It will also
analyse their strategies of resistance against the colonial rule and policies of
exploitation and their invaluable ideas for decolonizing India. It will glorify their
thoughts of nationalism for building a great nation. The chapter will also explore
the similarities and differences of these authors regarding their key ideas on
nationalism and on some important issues of their times. It will also mention
important findings of this research work.

Limitations of Study:

The proposed research work is restricted to selected collections of letters

written by Gandhiji, Rabindra Nath Tagore and Sardar Patel

Bibliography: -

Primary Sources:

 Dutta Krishna. Robinson, Andrew. Eds. Selected Letters of

Rabindranath Tagore. UK: Cambridge University Press. 1997.
 Gandhi, M.K. Famous Letters of Mahatma Gandhi. New Delhi:
Indian Print Works. 1947.
 Gandhi, M.K. Famous Speeches by Mahatma Gandhi. New Delhi:
CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. 2016.
 Gandhi, M.K. Letters of Mahatma Gandhi. New Delhi: Rupa. 2019
 Gandhi, M.K. Letters to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Ahmedabad:
Navjivan. 1957.

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  Patel, Sardar. Selected Speeches and Writings of Vallabhbhai Patel.
New Delhi: India Penguin. 2017.
 Patel, Vallabhbhai. Sardar’s Letters, Mostly Unknown: The Year
1950. Ahmedabad: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Smarak Bhawan.
1983.

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o Chand, Mool. Nationalism and Internationalism of Gandhi, Nehru

and Tagore. New Delhi: M.N. Publishers and Distributors. 1989.
o Cox, Lloyd. Nationalism: Themes, Theories and Controversies.
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o Gellner, Earnest. Nations and Nationalism. USA: Blackwell. 2006.
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o Jefferlot, Christophe. Hindu Nationalism: A Reader. USA: Orient
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o Pandey, Neelam. Patel, Sardar. Writing and Speeches of Sardar
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o Pandey, Neelam. Sardar Patel and Indian Nationalism. New Delhi:
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o Panter-Brick, Simone. Gandhi and Nationalism: The Path to Indian
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o Saggi, P.D. Life and Works of Sardar Patel. New Delhi: Overseas
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o Smith, Anthony D. Nationalism: Theory, Ideology and History.
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o Tagore, Rabindranath. Nationalism. New Delhi: General Press.
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o Thappad, Romila. On Nationalism. Lulu.com. 2016.
o Tuteja, K.L. Chakraborty, Kaustav. Eds. Tagore and Nationalism.
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