Gopal Krishna Gokhale is one of the most renowned moderate leaders of the Indian National Congress who dedicated his life to the nation’s service. He was the political mentor of the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi. For three decades, Gokhale worked for social empowerment, education growth, and the struggle for freedom in India, rejecting conservative or revolutionary methods. He was an ardent believer in the pray-petition-protest ideology. In this article we will discuss in detail, the contributions made by G.K Gokhale.

Gopal Krishna Gokhale - Background

• Gokhale was born to Krishna Rao Gokhale and his wife Valubai in Kotluk District Ratnagiri, in modern-day Maharashtra.
• Despite his family's financial difficulties, he was given a western education. This had a significant impact on him, as he began to appreciate the works of John Stuart Mill and Edmund Burke.
• He attended school in Kolhapur before continuing his study in Bombay. In 1884, he graduated from Bombay's Elphinstone College with a master's degree.
• He worked as a schoolteacher in Pune.
• In 1902, he became the principal of Fergusson College in Pune, where he taught political economy and history.

Gopal Krishna Gokhale - Political Participation

• Gokhale joined the INC in 1889 after being inspired by his mentor, social reformer M G Ranade.
• He advocated for expanded political rights for Indians alongside a slew of other leaders and reformers. He was a centrist.
• He was skeptical of radical demands and preferred non-violent, non-confrontational methods of obtaining government rights and privileges.
• This is where he clashed with the INC's hardline element, particularly Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
• In 1890, he was named Honorary Secretary of the Sarvajanik Sabha of Pune.
• In 1893, Gokhale was appointed Secretary of the Bombay Provincial Conference, and in 1895, he and Tilak were appointed Joint Secretaries of the INC.
• Gokhale believed in working with the colonial government to bring about social reforms in society.
• He was voted to the Legislative Council of Bombay in 1899, and also to the Governor-General’s Imperial Council in 1901.

Gopal Krishna Gokhale - Contributions

• Gokhale founded the Servants of India Society in 1905 to help Indians gain access to education.
• He desired that Indians have an education that instilled in them a sense of civic and patriotic responsibility.
• He organized mobile libraries and schools as part of the Society's efforts. He also taught industrial workers at night.
• He was a well-known economist, and his Central Legislative Council speech on the budget demonstrated his good and complete statistical abilities.
• The Morley-Minto reforms were heavily influenced by Gopal Krishna Gokhale.
• Gokhale established the 'Ranade Institute of Economics' in 1908. He spoke out against untouchability and the caste system, called for women's independence, and backed the cause of female education.
• At Mahatma Gandhi's request, Gokhale traveled to South Africa in 1912. He is most known for mentoring India's founding father, who returned to India at Gokhale's urging.
• "Pure as crystal, soft as a lamb, brave as a lion, chivalrous to a fault and the most faultless guy in the political field," Gandhi says of Gokhale in his book.
• 'Mahratta' and 'Jnanaprakash' were two newspapers founded by Gokhale.

Conclusion

Through the Society as well as the Congress and other legislative bodies he served in, Gokhale campaigned for Indian self-rule and for social reforms. Gokhale believed that the best way for India to gain independence was to use constitutional means and work with the British government. Gokhale died on 19 February 1915, leaving a void in the lives of those who greatly admired him.

FAQs 

Q1: Who was Gopal Krishna Gokhale?

Q2: What role did Gokhale play in the Indian freedom struggle?

Q3: What was Gokhale's relationship with Mahatma Gandhi?

Q4: What was the Servants of India Society?

Q5: How did Gokhale contribute to the Indian National Congress?

MCQs 

1. Who founded the Servants of India Society?

A) Bal Gangadhar Tilak

B) Gopal Krishna Gokhale

C) Mahatma Gandhi

D) Lala Lajpat Rai

2. What was the primary approach of Gopal Krishna Gokhale in India's freedom struggle?

A) Violent revolution

B) Passive resistance

C) Moderate and constitutional methods

D) Direct armed conflict

3. Which of the following leaders considered Gokhale as their political mentor?

A) Jawaharlal Nehru

B) Subhas Chandra Bose

C) Mahatma Gandhi

D) Bhagat Singh

4. In which year was the Servants of India Society established?

A) 1895

B) 1905

C) 1915

D) 1920

5. Which political faction did Gokhale represent within the Indian National Congress?

A) Extremists

B) Moderates

C) Revolutionaries

D) Separatists

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the contributions of Gopal Krishna Gokhale to the Indian freedom struggle.

Answer: Gopal Krishna Gokhale was a key figure during the moderate phase of the Indian National Congress. He advocated for achieving self-rule through peaceful, constitutional methods, and believed in gradual reforms through dialogue with the British. He founded the Servants of India Society to work for social reform, upliftment of the underprivileged, and educational advancement. As a member of the Imperial Legislative Council, he pushed for reforms in education, public services, and social issues. Gokhale’s efforts paved the way for later movements and inspired leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, emphasizing the power of non-violent protest and incremental change.

Q2: How did Gokhale’s moderate approach differ from the extremist leaders of the Indian National Congress?

Answer: Gokhale’s moderate approach focused on dialogue, petitions, and constitutional reforms, believing that India could achieve self-rule through peaceful means and negotiations with the British government. In contrast, extremist leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak advocated for a more radical approach, including boycotts, mass protests, and sometimes confrontational methods to assert India's rights. While moderates sought gradual reforms within the existing system, extremists demanded immediate self-governance and were willing to use more direct methods to achieve their goals.

Q3: Evaluate the impact of the Servants of India Society on Indian society and politics.

Answer: The Servants of India Society, founded by Gopal Krishna Gokhale, had a significant impact on Indian society and politics by focusing on social reform, education, and public service. The society trained a dedicated cadre of individuals committed to serving the nation selflessly. Its members worked to uplift marginalized sections of society, promote literacy, and spread awareness about social and political issues. The society's emphasis on ethical public service and national development influenced future leaders and laid the groundwork for a more socially conscious and reform-oriented approach within the Indian freedom struggle.

Previous Year Questions on  G K Gokhale

1. UPSC CSE 2020

Question: Analyze the role of Gopal Krishna Gokhale as a moderate leader in the Indian National Congress.

Answer: As a moderate leader, Gopal Krishna Gokhale played a crucial role in shaping the early phase of the Indian National Congress. He emphasized constitutional means, petitions, and dialogue to bring about political and social reforms. Gokhale believed in working within the system to secure rights for Indians, focusing on incremental changes rather than radical measures. His leadership strengthened the Congress's influence, promoted national unity, and inspired leaders like Gandhi to adopt non-violent methods. However, his moderate stance also faced criticism from more radical factions seeking immediate and direct actions against British rule.

2. UPSC CSE 2019

Question: Discuss the significance of the Servants of India Society in promoting social reforms in pre-independent India.

Answer: The Servants of India Society, founded by Gopal Krishna Gokhale, played a significant role in promoting social reforms in pre-independent India. It aimed to train and inspire individuals dedicated to public service and national development. The society worked to improve education, uplift marginalized communities, and spread awareness of social and political issues. Its efforts to promote ethical public service and social justice influenced many reform movements and leaders. By emphasizing selfless service and social upliftment, the society contributed to the broader nationalistic and reformist movements in India.