Topics Covered: Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues.
Gopal Krishna Gokhale:
Context: PM paid tributes to Gopal Krishna Gokhale on his birth anniversary. He was born on 9 May 1866.
Contributions of GK Gokhale in freedom movement of India:
- He served as Secretary of the Deccan Education Society.
- He visited Ireland and arranged for Irish nationalist Alfred Webb to serve as the President of the Indian National Congress in 1894.
- Gokhale also published a daily newspaper entitled Jnanaprakash, which allowed him to voice his reformist views on politics and society.
- He was later elected to the Council of India of the Governor-General of India in 1903.
- He was appointed as the Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire in 1904 New Year’s Honours List.
- In 1905, he founded the Servants of India Society, which trained people to be selfless workers so they could work for the common good of the people. He was also elected as the President of the Indian National Congress.
- He was instrumental in the formation of the Minto-Morley Reforms of 1909, which eventually became law.
- Gokhale was a mentor to both Mohammed Jinnah and Mahatma Gandhi. Mahatma Gandhi even wrote a book called, ‘Gokhale, My Political Guru’. His core beliefs about the importance of political liberty, social reform and economic progress for all Indians are still relevant to our times.
InstaLinks:
Prelims Link:
- Organisations in which Gokhale served.
- His election Governor’s council and imperial council.
- His role in freedom movement.
- Name of book written by Gandhi on Gokhale.
- INC presidency for Gokhale.
- Who published Mahratta?
- Who founded Deccan Education Society?
- Newspaper published by Gokhale.
- Gist of Morley Minto reforms.
Mains Link:
Comment on the significance of key contributions made by GK Gokhale to the Indian freedom movement.
Sources: PIB.
