| Mahatma Gandhi | Rabindranath Tagore |
| Philosophy of Education | Basic Education or Nai Talim: Gandhi emphasized learning through doing. He proposed a system where students learn through productive work and crafts. | Holistic Education: Tagore emphasized nurturing creativity, individuality, and the inner spirit. He believed in a comprehensive education system. |
| Medium of Education | Vernacular Medium: Gandhi believed that education should be imparted in the mother tongue to be most effective. | Universal: While Tagore too recognized the value of vernacular education, he also believed in the universality of knowledge and was open to learning and teaching in other languages. |
| Environment for Education | Rural & Simple: Gandhi felt education should be rooted in the simplicity and realities of rural life. | Natural Surroundings: Tagore founded Shantiniketan, where education was imparted in the lap of nature, fostering a close bond between nature and students |
| Purpose of Education | Moral & Ethical Development: For Gandhi, the ultimate aim was to produce morally upright individuals. | Spiritual & Aesthetic Development: Tagore aimed to develop the spiritual and aesthetic sense of individuals, fostering a holistic growth |
| Nationalism | Active Resistance: Gandhi was a political activist who believed in active resistance (though non-violent) against the British rule. His nationalism was deeply rooted in the Indian masses. | Spiritual Unity: Tagore’s idea of nationalism was based on the spiritual unity of humanity. He was wary of aggressive nationalism and was more universal in his outlook. |
| Response to British Rule | Boycott & Non-cooperation: Gandhi advocated for boycotting British goods, services, and institutions. | Critique from Within: Tagore believed in reforming institutions from within and was not in favor of outright boycotts. He did, however, return his knighthood in protest against the Jallianwala Bagh massacre |
