Question

``The revival of Indian folklore strengthened nationalism in India.'' Support the statement with appropriate arguments.

Hint:

Remember the contribution of Indian folklore:

• Preserved cultural heritage.

• Promoted national unity.

• Inspired patriotism.

• Spread nationalist ideas among common people.

• Increased pride in India's glorious past.
Easy mnemonic: \[ \boxed{\text{Folklore} \Rightarrow \text{Culture + Unity + Patriotism + Nationalism}} \]

Answer 1

Step 1: Understand what folklore offered.
Folk songs, tales and legends carried India's shared cultural memory, something nationalist leaders could use even where people were divided by language, religion or region.
Step 2: See how it was used.
Scholars and writers, including figures like Tagore, collected and celebrated these traditions to build pride in India's own civilisation and counter the British claim that Indians lacked culture.
Step 3: Look at its reach.
Since many villagers could not read newspapers, folk songs and stories carried nationalist ideas to people who other forms of political communication could not reach.
So the revival of folklore built cultural pride and unity among ordinary people, which in turn strengthened the political demand for independence.