How symbols help to sustain and continue the idea of the nation? Explain with the example of Indian and French History.
Answers
Explanation:
India
As the national movement developed, nationalist leaders used more and more symbols and icons in unifying people and inspiring in them a feeling of nationalism.
(i) During the Swadeshi Movement in Bengal, a tricolour flag (red, green and yellow) was designed. It had eight lotuses which represented eight provinces of British India. The crescent moon in the flag represented Hindus and Muslims.
(ii) By 1921, Gandhiii had designed the Swami flag. It was also tricolour (red, green and white) and had a
spinning wheel in the centre which represented the Gandhian values. i.e. self help.
(iii) Carrying the Swami flag, holding it alofi, during marches became a symbol of defiance.
France
The French revolutionaries took many important steps to create a sense of collective identity among the French people which were:
• Ideas of la patrie (the fatherland) and le citoyen (the citizen) emphasising the notion of a united community enjoying equal rights under a constitution.
• A new French flag, a tricolour replaced the royal standard.
• The Estates General was renamed the National Assembly and was elected by a group of active citizens.
• New hymns, oaths and martyrs commemorated in the name of the nation.
• A central administrative system made uniform laws for the entire nation.
• Discouraging regional dialects and promoting French as a common language of the nation.