Arrange the following Rural Development Programmes in chronological order: (A) Marthandam (B) Gurgaon (C) Sarvodaya (D) Etwah Pilot Project
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct option is C

The correct answer is (C) (B), (A), (D), (C)

Explanation:
• These are historical pre-independence and early post-independence experiments in rural development in India.
• (B) Gurgaon Project (1920): Started by F.L. Brayne in the Gurgaon district of Punjab. It focused on agriculture, sanitation, and education.
• (A) Marthandam Project (1921): Started by Dr. Spencer Hatch under the auspices of the YMCA in Travancore. It focused on "Spirit, Mind, Body, Social, and Economic" development.
• (D) Etawah Pilot Project (1948): Started by Albert Mayer (an American architect/town planner) in Uttar Pradesh. It served as a precursor to the Community Development Programme.
• (C) Sarvodaya Programme (1948/1950s): Based on Gandhian principles, popularized by Vinoba Bhave after the death of Gandhiji, focusing on the welfare of all.

Information Booster:
• F.L. Brayne's Gurgaon project failed eventually because it was "imposed from the top" without enough local participation.
• The Marthandam project's success was due to the principle of "Self-help with intimate expert counsel."
• Albert Mayer's Etawah project proved that rural people were willing to accept new ideas if approached correctly.

Additional Knowledge:
• Sriniketan Project: Started by Rabindranath Tagore in 1922.
• Firka Development Scheme: Started by the Madras Government in 1946.
• Nilokheri Experiment: Started by S.K. Dey (the first Minister for Community Development) in 1948 for refugees.