Here's a breakdown of the key points:
* Swarajya: A Long History: The term "Swarajya" is found in ancient Indian texts like the Mahabharata and Arthashastra. It signified self-rule and independence from external forces, even in the context of kingdoms and empires.
* Modern Political Context: While the term itself is ancient, its modern political use in India is often linked to Mahatma Gandhi. He popularized the concept of "Swarajya" as a key demand in the Indian independence movement. He used it to inspire the masses and articulate their aspirations for self-rule.
* Hindi as a National Language: The idea of Hindi as a national language is more complex and doesn't have a single origin point.
* Early Advocates: Some early advocates for Hindi as a national language included Mahatma Gandhi, who believed it could be a unifying force for India.
* Constitution of India: The Constitution of India, adopted in 1950, recognized Hindi as the official language of the Union, with English as an associate official language.
* Controversy: The choice of Hindi as the official language sparked protests in non-Hindi speaking regions of India, leading to the inclusion of provisions for the continued use of English and the development of regional languages.
Key Takeaways:
* While the concept of "Swarajya" is ancient, Mahatma Gandhi popularized its use in the modern political context of India's independence movement.
* The idea of Hindi as a national language has a complex history with advocates like Gandhi, but its official status was established by the Constitution of India.
It's crucial to understand that the concept of "Swarajya" and the language debate were complex issues involving many individuals and movements. These concepts evolved over time and continue to be relevant in contemporary India.