Modern History PYQ 302 of 636 · Gandhi and His Early Movements

Who first used the word "Sarvodaya"?

  1. AMahatma Gandhi
  2. BPandit Nehru
  3. CVinoba Bhave
  4. DJayaprakash Narayan

46th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2004

Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: (a) Mahatma Gandhi

Explanation

Sarvodaya is formed from two Sanskrit words—sarva (meaning: all) and udaya (meaning: upliftment). The word Sarvodaya was used for the first time by Mahatma Gandhi. In 1908, it was used in the translation of John Ruskin’s book ‘Unto This Last’. Its objective was to develop the spirit of freedom and equality in everyone. Note—In the book ‘Mahavira: His Times and Philosophy of Life’ written by Dr. Hiralal Jain and A. N. Upadhyay, it is written that the word ‘Sarvodaya’ was first used by a Jain philosopher named Samantabhadra around the 2nd century BCE. Later, Gandhiji gave this word a strong foundation and made it popular among the masses.

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