11 April 2024 RAS Mains Answer Writing

Dante’s ‘Divine Comedy’ is a symbolic journey that traverses the three realms of the afterlife: Inferno (Hell), Purgatorio (Purgatory), and Paradiso (Paradise).  (In Pu Pa)

• Portraying the soul’s progression from darkness to purification and ultimately to divine union 
• Dante’s pilgrimage signifies the human struggle with sin, repentance, and the ultimate quest for divine grace and salvation

Significance:

• His humanist approach inspired later thinkers to explore the depths of human consciousness.
• Elevation of the vernacular → wrote it in tuscan language (Italian) rather than Latin.

Martin Luther was pivotal in sparking and shaping the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. His following contributions significantly influenced the Reformation:

1. 95 Theses (1517): Luther’s posting of the 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg was a catalyst for the Reformation. The theses criticized the sale of indulgences and questioned the authority of the Pope to grant forgiveness of sins.

→ Impact: This event marked the beginning of the Reformation.

2. Championing Scripture (Sola Scriptura): Luther emphasized the authority of the Bible over church traditions. 

→ Impact: encouraging individuals to engage directly with the Bible and fostering a more personal and direct relationship with God.

3. Doctrine of Justification by Faith (Sola Fide): By immense belief in Jesus Christ man can attain salvation. He challenged the Catholic Church’s teaching on the necessity of good works, such as confession, prayers, and the purchase of indulgences, for salvation.

→ Impact: It played a central role in differentiating Protestant beliefs from those of the Catholic Church.

4. Translation of the Bible into Vernacular (German), making it accessible to the common people who were previously reliant on Latin translations used by the clergy.

→ Impact: allowed a broader audience to read and interpret the scriptures independently. & Growth of vernacular

5. Published 3 Pamphlets
   1. To the Christian Nobility of the German Nation → Privileges of clergy must be abolished, king as the head of church
   2. On the Babylonian Captivity of the Church → Attacked on pope
   3. On the Freedom of a Christian → Jesus as sola fide and bible as sola scriptura 
6. Priesthood of All Believers.

→ Impact: This idea undermined the hierarchical structure of the Catholic Church, contributed to the development of more egalitarian and decentralized Protestant churches.

7. Civil War and  treaty of Augsberg: “The straightforward views of Martin Luther, accepting the authority of Jesus and the Bible while rejecting the divinity and monopoly of the Pope, led to a civil war

→ impact : recognition of Lutheranism following the Treaty of Augsburg.” 

8. Other Impact : Growth of nationalism, Propagation and expansion of education and Moral discipline in the society increased

Thus Luther’s ideas not only challenged specific practices of the Catholic Church but also laid the foundation for counter reformation.

Vallabhbhai Patel, also known as the “Iron Man of India,” was a prominent leader of the Indian National Congress and a key figure in the country’s struggle for independence from British rule.

Role during freedom struggle:

• Kheda Satyagraha (1918): Volunteered on Gandhi’s insistence, demanded suspension of revenue collection during a drought.
• Actively participated in Gandhi‘s Non-Cooperation Movement.
• Constructive Works (1920s): Engaged in constructive activities as a “No Changer” during truce periods. Worked against alcoholism, untouchability, caste discrimination, and for women’s empowerment.
• Bardoli Satyagraha (1928): Led negotiations and collective resistance, securing the rollback of excessive land taxes and penalties.
  • Earned the title “Sardar” for his role in the successful movement.
• President of Karachi Session (1931): Elected as Congress President, adopted resolutions on Fundamental Rights and National Economic Programme

On Partition : 

• Vallabhbhai Patel was one of the first Congress leaders to accept the partition of India as a solution to the rising Muslim separatist movement led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

Constituent Assembly :

• Chaired committees on minorities, tribal and excluded areas, fundamental rights, and provincial constitutions.

Integration of Princely States (1947):

• Successfully integrated 562 princely states into the Indian Union, took strong steps like sending the army to Junagadh and Hyderabad to force them to align with free India and thus earning the title “Iron Man of India.”

As the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of India,

• Patel was instrumental in establishing administrative and bureaucratic frameworks.

All India Services Vision:

• Advocated for strong All India Services to strengthen cohesion and national unity in the federal administrative system.

Vallabhbhai Patel has significantly influenced contemporary India, shaping its territorial unity, administrative setup, and governance principles. His enduring legacy remains a cornerstone in the development of post-independence India.

जीवन में उन्नत स्थिति को प्राप्त करने के लिए व्यक्ति में स्वयं के लघु होने का, अकिंचन होने का, विनयशील होने का बोध होना आवश्यक है। हम अपनी लघुता से मुक्ति चाहने की प्रक्रिया में ही प्रभुता को, बड़प्पन को, सामर्थ्य को प्राप्त करेंगे। किंतु यदि व्यक्ति में प्रभुता का अर्थात्‌ सामर्थ्यवान होने का भान हो गया, अहम्‌ का एहसास हो गया तो फिर वह ईश्वर से दूर हो जाएगा। यह संसार विराट है, यह विभिन्‍न शक्तियों का पुंज है। व्यक्ति इस संसार की शक्तियों के बीच एक तुच्छ-सा, लघु-सा प्राणी है। किंतु वह विकासशील है, वह निरंतर अपनी शारीरिक, बौद्धिक, भौतिक, आध्यात्मिक सामर्थ्य को बढ़ाता हुआ महान बन सकता है बशर्ते कि उसमें अपने तुच्छ होने का भाव हो, फलस्वरूप उसमें सीखने और विकसित होने की ललक हो।           महान वैज्ञानिक आइंस्टीन ने विज्ञान के महानतम अविष्कार को कर लेने के बाद भी यही महसूस किया था कि वह इस संसार-सागर के किनारे छोटी-छोटी लहरें गिनने भर का कार्य कर सकता है| जब तक व्यक्ति में ऐसे छोटे होने का भाव रहता है, वह उन्नति के उच्च से उच्चतर मार्ग को प्राप्त करता जाता है। विश्व के महान व्यक्तियों ने अपने-आपको तुच्छ मानकर ही अपने व्यक्तित्व की ऊँचाइयों को प्राप्त किया है। किंतु यदि व्यक्ति को अपनी उन ऊँचाइयों का बोध हो जाए, घमंड हो जाए तो वह तुरंत स्खलित हो जाएगा फिर प्रभु की प्राप्ति का मार्ग तो संपूर्ण समर्पण चाहता है, वह तो तुलसीदास के- राम सो बड़ो है कौन, मो सो कौन छोटो’ के भाव से ही प्राप्त किया जा सकता है| रावण, कंस, बालि आदि शक्तिशाली व्यक्ति भी प्रभुता के दंभ में ईश्वर को प्राप्त नहीं कर पाए। अत: लघु के भाव से प्रभुता प्राप्त की जा सकती है किंतु प्रभुता के मदद से ईश्वर को नहीं प्राप्त किया जा सकता।