ABSTRACT
Aurobindo's social and political ideas were derivative of multiple intellectual sources and also remained politico-ideologically innovative for many reasons. A pragmatic nationalist, he was aware that in view of India's peculiar demographic composition, it was inconceivable to conceptualize India in terms of a mono-religious identity. Aurobindo's persuasive arguments against the Moderates elicited support not only from the leading members of the Congress but also those who aspired to participate in the nationalist campaign but had hardly had an opportunity, as it remained confined to the English-educated elites of Bengal and Bombay. Aurobindo was a prophet of Indian nationalism in its true connotation for at least three interrelated reasons: first, he expanded the nationalist constituencies by including those who, despite being keen, had not had an opportunity to participate in the movement against the colonizers. The selection of ‘Bande Mataram’ as a major slogan was strategically governed.
