What are the various sources from which we can reconstruct the political career of Gandhiji and the history of the nationalist movement?

All of the above.

The correct answer is Option 4 - All of the above.

Option 1- Writings and speeches of Gandhiji's contemporaries.
Option 2- Fortnightly reports prepared by the Home Department.
Option 3- Contemporary newspapers published in Hindi and English.
Option 4- All of the above.

There are many different kinds of sources from which we can reconstruct the political career of Gandhiji and the history of the nationalist movement. One important source is the writings and speeches of Mahatma Gandhi and his contemporaries, including both his associates and his political adversaries.

One important source is the writings and speeches of Mahatma Gandhi and his contemporaries, including both his associates and his political adversaries. Within these writings we need to distinguish between those that were meant for the public and those that were not. Speeches, for instance, allow us to hear the public voice of an individual, while private letters give us a glimpse of his or her private thoughts. 

Another vital source is government records, for the colonial rulers kept close tabs on those they regarded as critical of the government. The letters and reports written by policemen and other officials were secret at the time; but now can be accessed in archives. One such source is the fortnightly reports that were prepared by the Home Department from the early twentieth century. These reports were based on police information from the localities, but often expressed what the higher officials saw, or wanted to believe. While noticing the possibility of sedition and rebellion, they liked to assure themselves that these fears were unwarranted. If you see the Fortnightly Reports for the period of the Salt March you will notice that the Home Department was unwilling to accept that Mahatma Gandhi’s actions had evoked any enthusiastic response from the masses.

Another important source is contemporary newspapers, published in English as well as in the different Indian languages, which tracked Mahatma Gandhi’s movements and reported on his activities, and also represented what ordinary Indians thought of him.