The Indian nationalist movement

[toby19]

Was the indian nationalist movement an example of 'elite manipulation' or 'mass awakening'?

[jno]

this sounds like one of those ones you could argue either way; there's evidence to support both views if you want it. (Historians differ deeply over whether changes in human history are spurred by great individuals or by mass movements; these are, I suppose, closely related to how rightwing or leftwing respectively the historians themselves are.) I'd go for mass awakening myself.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_independen ce_movement

[onslow1]

I lean towards elite manipulation. The Indnan nationalists did very little for the majority of Indians. Most remain poor and downtrodden, victims of the rigid caste system which the Nationalists were quite happy to leave in place.

[toby19]

thanks for your help. appreciate the opposing and valid views