Gopal Krishna Gokhale

Gokhale was not a political philosopher or theorist. He did not consciously seek to build any system of thought which would merit the term philosophy. The main body of his writings were concerned with influencing the policies of government and with the political education of his countrymen. But though preoccupied with the burning issues of the day, he compelled the British bureaucracy to view them in the context of the larger principles of liberalism. His writings and speeches are replete with instances where he appeals to principles' and reason' and it is this quality of his writings that has imparted to them a relevance which transcends his own times. He was concerned with contemporary issues but discussed them in the light of Principles of government. Although an orator, his rhetoric was not emotional and uncontrolled. He would marshall all facts, quote authorities (Blue Books, Official Reports) and try to understand the opponents view point even while he sought to demolish it. 

          He was both a politician, social reformer and an economist. He was also one of the most brilliant parliamentarians which India produced at that times. In the words of our ex-President Dr. Radhakrishan, "When the comforts of the world were in Gokhale's reach and could be his, he left them and gave his great talents to his service of the country. Renunciation is the principle of good life. Men are great not by what they acquire but what they renounce; those engaged in public work should not look upon it as a career with glittering prices. 

        He was an educationist and political guru of even Mahatma Gandhi. Gokhale combined rare qualities of intelligence with courage, patriotism with honesty, statesmanship with liberal outlook, political shrewdness with clear foresight of future. He rose to extraordinary eminence in national and international life due to his personal character and ability, hard labour and public spirit. 

Life Sketch 

Gopal Krishna Gokhale was born on 9 May, 1866 : Chitpavan community in Ratnagiri District of then Bombay Presidency. His father Kishna Rao lived with meagre earnings as a low paid clerk and later on as Sub-Inspector of Police, He lost his father in 1879 when he was hardly 13. Gokhale passed his Matriculation in the year 1881. He thought of leaving studies to help his brother in supporting the family, but his brother did not agree. Thus, Gokhale joined the Raja Ram College at Kolhapur. Later on he shifted to the Deccan College, Poona for graduation. For the final year of the degree course he joined Elphinstone College, Bombay. During those days of his study Gokhale had to manage with Rs. 8 per month for all expenses. He would often go without meals to save mess expenses and read under the street lamp whenever he had no money to buy kerosene. In 1884 he graduated with Mathematics. Due to stiff competition his desire to become an engineer could not materialize. His desire to join the Indian Civil Service could not be fulfilled due to poverty. The plan of taking up the legal profession, could not succeed as he did not go beyond passing of the first Law examination. “My ambition", confessed Gokhale to his friend Hari Narayan Apte, while as a student in the Deccan College, "is to become a Cabinet Minister so as to be able to serve my country." 

         He graduated from Elphinstone College, Bombay in 1884. In 1886, he became a member of the Deccan Foundation Society. He was appointed a professor of history and economics at the Fergusson College, Poona. For several years he edited the Journal of the Sarvajanika Sabha. For four years he edited the Sudharak. In 1904, he was given the title of C.I.E. He visited England 7 times in 1897, 1905, 1906, 1908, 1912, 1915 and 1914. Due to his winning personality he made a influence on British leaders. His patriotism was great unimpeachable. The nobility of his soul, his deep sincerity and his earnest passion to serve the motherland had brought him numerous admirers in India and abroad. He was a scholar of history and economics. He had done considerable reading in the field of British classical economics. He eagerly devoured Burke's Reflections on the Revolution in France'. He became a member of the Indian Legislative Council in 1902 and continued to be there till his death. His budget speeches there are remarkable for their stubborn mastery of facts as well as for their grasp of he fundamental guiding propositions. He was a consummate master of indian economics to the study of which he brought large powers of keen analysis and comprehensive synthesis. 

            During these formative years he came in contact with M.G. Ranade and became his life -long disciple. He worked and learnt under his preceptorship. Ranade brought Gokhale in association with Poona Sarvajanik Sabha. Due to Ranade again he joined the Indian National Congress in 1889 and rose rapidly in public life of the country as political leader and social reformer. His intelligence, dedication to duty and transparent sincerity helped him in winning appreciation from all those who came in his contact. For ten long years Gokhale was associated with the Poona Sarvajanik Sabha as its honorary secretary from 1885 to 1895. The politics of the Sabha was national, secular and progressive. 

       In 1897, he went to England to give evidence before the Welby Commission. The Welby Commission was appointed to discuss two main questions: (i) whether India is encumbered with financial burdens which ought properly to be borne by England, and (ii) the consideration of Indian finance. In 1908 he gave evidence before the Hobhouse Decentralisation Commission. Gokhale attended the Congress first in 1889. IHe was one of the foremost leaders of this great national body. He presided over the Benaras Congress in 1905. In 1907 in his budget.speech in the Indian Legislative Council, Gokhale had pleaded for the introduction of free primary education, In 1912 he became the member of Islington Commission which was set up to enquire into the working of civil services in India. In 1912 he had to go to England in connection with the working of P.S. Commission. During one of his visits to England, Gokhale seized the opportunity of meeting Lord Morley and convinced him about the need and necessity of giving constitutional reforms to India Perhaps no one will deny that it was due to his efforts and influence that India got her first dose of constitutional reform in 1909. 

     Gokhale, who was regarded by Gandhiji as his political guru. had great affection and reverence for the latter. In 1910 and 1912 he moved resolutions in the Imperial Legislative Council for relief to Indian indentured labour in Natal. He went to South Africa at Gandhiji's invitation in 1912 and was of significant help in bringing about a settlement of Indian affairs in South Africa In 1913, he had raised funds for helping the South African Satyagraha movement. Gokhale overworked himself into early death at the premature age of 49, in February 1915.

       Gokhale as Legislature - Gokhale became a member of Bombay Legislative Council and represented Central Division of this Presideney town. In the Council he worked for the cause of people and raised a voice against land revenue policy of the government. He was also responsible for District Municipal Act and similar other Acts which were enacted for the betterment of municipal administration in Bombay. In 1902, he became a member of Viceroy's Legislative Council when he was hardly 36 years of age and continued to stay there for full 11 years. In the Viceroy's Council he stood for administrative and financial reforms and there also he created a place for himself. His budget speeches were listened with great attention and care even by those who did not care much for Indian sentiment. In the Council he pleaded for abolition of salt duty and bring universities under government control. 

      Gokhale was President of Indian National Congress in 1905 and in that capacity he guided National Congress in various ways. No doubt his task was a bit difficult but still with vigour and energy he took the organization with him. It was his influence on the Moderates that Extremists could not win their point at Surat though the unfortunate split occurred and the Extremists had to leave the Congress. Again it was due to his untiring efforts that there was unity in the Congress organization in 1916 and both the Extremists and the Moderates again decided to sit together and to work hand in hand.

       A mention in his early career may also be made about his work in South Africa to improve the conditions of Indians settled there. He met South African leaders and persuaded them to abrogate and repeal those Acts which were pinching Indians. It may not be worthwhile to point out that along with Gandhiji he was quite successful in his mission. 

     Gokhale was also responsible for founding a few organizations and working in responsible capacities in few others. To quote few he was one of the secretaries of Sarvajanik Sabha, Poona, Secretary of Deccan Education Society, Founder member of Deccan Sabha and above all the Servants of India Society which did the most significant and most important work in the political life of our country even long after his death.