Indian

FREEDOM FIGHTER

GOPAL KRISHNA GOKHALE

T H E MAN BEH I N D S O CI A L R E FO R M S
Born: May 9, 1866, Ratnagiri
Died: February 19, 1915, Mumbai

Gopal Krishna Gokhale. One of the men who is behind the independence movement
against the British empire in India. In fact, it is not only about the independence, but he
was also the man behind the promotions of social reforms in the country in those days.

Through this society, he organized many campaigns

and promoted education, sanitation, health and
on the other side, the society also fought against
untouchability, discrimination, poverty, oppression of
women, alcohol etc.
ENTRY INTO INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS
In 1889, with the support of Mahadev Govind
Ranade who is a founding member of Indian National
Congress, Gokhale became as one of the members in
the party. He fought for many decades to obtain power
over the public affairs for common Indians.
In 1895, Gokhale became the Congress joint secretary
along with Tilak. In the beginning, there were many
identities among the both, be it their caste, college,
profession, etc. But, later, few differences arose
between the duo, regarding their thoughts of serving
the Indian society.

India Society and also wished that there should be an

advancement in the Indian education.
DEATH DUE TO STRESSES
Amidst of stresses and continuous tensions from
all these works, Gokhale died on 19 February 1915
whose age was just forty nine.
At his funeral, the words said by Tilak, the political
opponent of Gokhale, would always be heart touching
to Indians and make them proud. The words he
spoke out are This diamond of India, this jewel of
Maharashtra, this prince of workers is taking an
eternal rest on funeral ground. Look at him and try to
emulate him.
Lets salute to the greatest man, Mr. Gopal Krishna
Gokhale, who struggled throughout his life to bring
social reforms.

RIVALRY WITH TILAK

Being the senior leader

of Indian National
Congress and also the
founder of the Servants
of India society, he
used to carry down
the independence
movements and social
reform activities.
Servants of India society:
Servants of India society is a small group of few educated people like
Natesh Appaji Dravid, Gopal Krishna Deodhar and Anant Patwardhan.
The main motto of this society is to promote the social and human
development in the country and eliminate the British rule completely.

-Phanindra
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WWW.WISHESH.COM | JUNE 2015

Initially, the rivalry started when the Age of Consent

Bill which is introduced by the British Imperial
Government, in 189192. It is all about the child
marriages which told that, the age should be raised to
twelve from ten. Gokhale supported the consent bill
to curb the child marriage abuses.
On the other side, Tilak was not against the bill, but
he objected the British interference with the Hindu
tradition. He opined that, it would be better if such type
of reforms are done after achieving the independence
to the country. However the bill became a law later.
In 1905, Gokhale became president of the Indian
National Congress. He then used his power and
influence on his rival Tilak. In 1906, when the latter
was considered as the candidate for president of the
Congress, Gokhale refused to give his support. Since
then, the rivalry has started increasing between the
duo, which even made the Congress party to split.
MORE THAN A NATIONALIST, HE IS A SOCIAL
REFORMER
Though Gokhale is a leader of Indian nationalist
movement, he was more concerned about the
social reforms and believed that there would be
every chance to achieve such reforms by working
within existing British government institutions. This
intention of Gokhale was aggressively taken by many
more nationalists along with Tilak.
Though Gokhale faced criticisms, he did not give up his
political career. He continued to be very active in all his
political activities. Apart from politics, he continued
to promote the reforms through the Servants of
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