Spiritual Nationalism: Unraveling Aurobindo Ghosh's Influence on Indian Freedom Struggle

Abstract

Aurobindo Ghosh the great Indian nationalist, freedom fighter, poet, philosopher and political leader focused on the combination of spirituality and nationalism, stressing the idea that political freedom can be achieved only in a spiritually awakened society. He emphasized on the notion that mere political independence cannot make a nation free in a real sense and it is only because of spiritual renaissance that can develop a nation. Aurobindo believed in the philosophy of ‘integral nationalism’ which is a combination of political, cultural and spiritual dimensions of a nation in which an individual acts as a whole. Therefore, the present study will explore the concept of spiritual nationalism as developed by Aurobindo Ghosh. While delving into Ghosh’s philosophical and spiritual ideas, this study seeks to unravel how his thoughts shaped the Indian national movement. This study also focused on Ghosh's role in shaping the ideological dimension of the Indian freedom struggle against British colonial rule. The present study highlights the role played by Ghosh in the Indian freedom struggle in which the main tool was spiritual nationalism. The paper begins by delving into the life and works of Aurobindo Ghosh, emphasizing his spiritual philosophy and its integration into the nationalist discourse. It also provides a historical context for the emergence of spiritual nationalism within the Indian National Movement, highlighting the socio-political conditions of the time. This paper primarily focuses on the political ideas of Ghosh and his contribution in the Indian Freedom Struggle with the lens of spiritual nationalism.