Indian Political Thought: Dharmashastra, Arthashastra and Buddhist traditions; Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Sri Aurobindo, M.K. Gandhi, B.R. Ambedkar, M.N. Roy
Manu
Comment: The main political ideas contained in the Manusmriti. (2003)
Comment: Four Purusharthas in Indian tradition. (2004)
Kautilya, Dharmashastra, Arthashastra and Buddhist Traditions
Comment: “Material well-being alone is supreme. For, spiritual good and sensual pleasures depends upon material well-being.” (Kautilya) (1993)
Comment: “Rulership can be successfully carried out (only) with the help of associates: one wheel alone does not turn.” (Kautilya) (1994)
Comment: Mandal theory. (2003)
Comment: “Of those (officers) the ways of embezzlement are forty.” (Kautilya) (2005)
Comment: “In the happiness of his subjects lies the king’s happiness; in their welfare his welfare.” (Kautilya) (2007)
Critically examine the ‘Sapta Prakriti’, of state as envisaged by Kautilya. (2007)
Compare and contrast Kautilya and Machiavelli on statecraft. (2009)
Compare and contrast Dharmasastra and Arthasastra with reference to State power. (2010)
Write a note on the Buddhist tradition in Indian political thought. (2012)
Examine the significance of Dharma in ancient Indian political thought. (2013)
Analyse, as per Kautilya, the Saptanga theory of the state. (2013)
Evaluate the contributions of Buddhist tradition to Indian political thought. (2014)
Compare and contrast the views of Kautilya and Machiavelli on Statecraft. (2015)
What do you understand by the notion of Statecraft? Discuss the theory of statecraft as given by Kautilya. (2017)
Discuss Kautilya views on the elements of the State. (2019)
Explain the sources of ancient Indian political thought. (2020)
Do you think that the Buddhist traditions have lent greater ethical, foundation to the ancient Indian political thought? Give your arguments. (2021)
Buddhist thought on Dhamma facilitates the emancipation of political action. Explain. (2023)
Dharmashastra presents a duty-centric worldview for individuals and communities. Comment. (2024)
Sri Aurobindo
Comment: Spiritual nationalism of Aurobindo Ghosh. (1991)
Comment in 150 words: Sri Aurobindo’s “idea of freedom” (2013)
Comment in 150 words: “Nationalism is not a mere political programme but, a way of life like religion.” (Aurobindo Ghose) (2014)
Discuss Shri Aurobindo’s views on Culture Nationalism. (2016)
According to Sri Aurobindo, Swaraj is a necessary condition for India to accomplish its destined goal. Comment. (2017)
Sri Aurobindo’s idea of Swaraj has deep significance in the Indian social, cultural and political history. Analyze. (2023)
M. N. Roy
Analyse M.N. Roy’s ideational journey from Marxism to Radical Humanism. (2002)
Comment on Radical Humanism. (2009)
Comment on the Marxist and Radical Humanist phases of M. N. Roy’s thought. (2012)
Manabendra Nath Roy’s political thought highlighted the humanistic aspects of Marxism. Discuss. (2024)
M. K. Gandhi
Comment: Validity of the statement that most prominent among Gandhian principles are non-violence, adherence to truth and dignity of labour. (2001)
What are the major components of Modern Indian Political Thought? Examine them with reference to Gandhi and M.N. Roy. (2001)
Comment: “The true source of right is duty. If we all discharge our duties, rights will not be far to seek.” (M. K. Gandhi) (2002)
Explain Gandhi’s ideas regarding State and highlight their relationship with modern democracy and principles of anarchism. (2006)
Comment: “Real rights are a ·result of performance of duty”. (Mahatma Gandhi) (2008)
Examine the Gandhian idea of village community as an ideal unit of self – governance. (2012)
Comment in 150 words: Gandhi’s Views on State. (2015)
Examine Gandhi’s critique of ‘Modernisation’. (2016)
Comment: M.K.Gandhi’s concept of Swaraj. (2019)
Explicate the ideological components of Gandhism. (2020)
“The Panchayats with Gram Sabhas should be so organised as to identify the resources locally available for the development in agricultural and industrial sectors.” Examine the statement in context of Gram Swaraj. (2022)
B. R. Ambedkar
Comment: Ambedkar’s Concept of Social Justice. (2006)
Examine Ambedkar’s critique of Marxism. (2013)
Comment: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s idea of state socialism. (2016)
Political democracy could not last unless social democracy lay at its base – B. R. Ambedkar. Comment. (2017)
Discuss Ambedkar’s ideas on ‘annihilation of caste’. (2018)
Comment in 150 words: Ambedkar’s ideas on constitutionalism. (2020)
Sir Syed Ahmad Khan
Comment in 150 words: Syed Ahmed Khan as a modernizer. (2013)
“When a nation becomes devoid of arts and· learning, it invites poverty.” (Sir Syed Ahmad Khan). In the light of this statement, assess the role of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan as a reformer in modem India. (2021)
