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Question

Examine the linkages between the nineteenth century's 'Indian Renaissance' and the emergence of national identity.

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CSE 2019 (Prelims) CSAT Previous Year Paper (02-Jun-2019)

The nineteenth-century 'Indian Renaissance' was the crucible where a modern national identity was forged. This period of intense social and religious introspection laid the intellectual foundation for political nationalism.

Reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy and Swami Vivekananda challenged regressive social customs while simultaneously re-discovering and celebrating the philosophical glories of India’s past. This intellectual churning created a new, confident Indian identity—one that was proud of its heritage yet open to modern ideas. It provided a powerful counter to the colonial narrative of Indian inferiority.

This newfound cultural self-respect and the call for a unified, reformed society transcended regional and linguistic barriers. It gave the educated classes a shared sense of purpose and belonging. This cultural awakening was the essential precursor to political consciousness, transforming a fragmented subcontinent into the emotional and intellectual idea of a single nation.
 

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Important Questions from GS1

  1. Underline the changes in the field of society and economy from the Rig Vedic to the later Vedic period. 

  2. Estimate the contribution of Pallavas of Kanchi for the development of art and literature of South India. 

  3. How far is it correct to say that the First World War was fought essentially for the preservation of the balance of power?

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