Essay on "Gopal Krishna Gokhale"

Gopal Krishna Gokhale

(1) Preface 

(2) Biography 

(3) Service to the nation 

(4) Epilogue

(1) Preamble There was no one way or only one form of struggle for the national independence of India. As the Ganges originates in the form of a thin stream from Gangotri and as it progresses, it goes on covering the surrounding rivers, similar was the situation of the independence movement. Liberals, extremist revolutionaries and non-violent activists working under the leadership of Gandhi were all part of this national movement. The early leaders of this movement were liberals. Prominent liberal leaders were A. O. Hume, Dadabhai Naoroji, Surendranath Banerjee, Ferozeshah Mehta and Gopal Krishna Gokhale. Gokhale was the most prominent among them.

 

(2) Biography - Gopal Krishna Gokhale was born in 1866 in Kolhapur district of Bombay province. His father died when he was only 18 years old. He had to struggle hard to get education. But he had amazing abilities and progressed very fast in life. He graduated at the age of 18 and was a teacher at the age of 20 at the English School in Poona, which later developed into Ferguson College. Gokhale retired from this college in 1902 as the principal.

 

Mahadev Govind Ranade was greatly influenced by Gokhale's intelligence and devotion to duty and Gokhale began his public life as a disciple of Justice Ranade. Gokhale took the spirit of his guru in real form. He never deviated from the softness and sweet logic laid down by Ranade.

 

Govind Ranade made Gokhale the minister of the main political body of Bombay State 'Sarvajanik Sabha' and soon he was counted among the prominent persons. At the very young age of 22, Gokhale was nominated as a member of the Bombay Legislative Council. In 1889, Gokhale became a member of the Congress and he was the minister of 'Bombay Pradesh Congress' for many years. of 1892 He logically highlighted the shortcomings of the Act. In 1902, he was elected a member of the Central Legislative Council and remained in that post till the end of his life. In 1905, he decorated the post of President in the Banaras session of the Congress. He was the first person to reach this proud position at the age of only 30. After this, Gokhale continued to serve as the leader of the liberal side of the Congress for many years.

 

(3) Desh-Service- Gopal Krishna Gokhale served the country in various forms. He visited England seven times between 1897 and 1914. Some of these visits were made by him as an Indian representative to present India's vision to Britain. In 1897, he went to England to present India's vision before the Bebli Commission. In 1905, Gokhale presented his views before the Habhouse Decentralization Commission.

 

Gokhale also did a commendable job in making the British Committee of the Indian National Congress and its letter 'India' active. In 1910 and 1912, Gokhale made proposals in the 'Imperial Legislative Council' for the help of the cause of the Indian workers. The condition of these workers was worse than today's 'bonded labour'. In 1912, he went to South Africa on the invitation of Gandhiji. There he succeeded in negotiating a compromise between the Indian Satyagrahis under the leadership of Gandhiji and the government of South Africa. Gandhiji considered Gokhale as his political guru and Gokhale had deep affection and respect for Gandhiji. Gandhiji used to call him 'Punyatma Gokhale'. His patriotism and charming personality had a huge impact on the leaders of Britain. Due to his character, sincere integrity and relentless service to the motherland, he had become an object of admiration and respect by many in India and abroad. His conscientiousness had earned him enormous respect. He died on February 19, 1915, at the young age of 49.

 

(4) Epilogue- The important contribution of Gopal Krishna Gokhale is the establishment of 'Bharat Sevak Samaj'. Eligible and educated persons from different provinces of India were included in this institution and they were inspired to adopt the spirit of dedication for the country. It was this institution that gave India patriots like Srinivas Shastri, Deodhar, N) M Joshi, Hridaynath Kunzru and Amritlal Thakkar.