Gopal Krishna Gokhale was one of the most popular Indian leaders of the Indian National Congress. Gopal Krishna Gokhale tried his best to influence the British statesmen in London not to partition Bengal.
Gopal Krishna Gokhale (1866–1915)
- Gopal Krishna Gokhale was born at Kolhapur and was a professor of history and economics at Fergusson College in Pune.
- He was influenced by the political philosophy of Justice M. G. Ranade. He joined the Deccan Educational Society founded by Ranade and went to England on behalf of the Society to propagate India’s views before the Welby Commission.
- He became one of the most popular Indian leaders of the Indian National Congress.
Contributions of Gopal Krishna Gokhale
- He criticized the government for incurring huge expenditure over the army, imposing taxes over cotton and for racially discriminating against the Indians in appointment to high posts.
- He played a significant role in the passing of the Minto Morley Reforms of 1909.
- He tried his best to influence upon the British statesmen in London not to partition Bengal.
- His untiring efforts led to a reduction in toll tax.
- He asked the government to reduce land revenues in India.
Beliefs of Gopal Krishna as Early Nationalists
- He had faith in the British sense of justice and fair play.
- He believed that the British would grant ‘Home Rule’ to Indians.
- He believed that the British rule had positively influenced Indian society by banning sati, female infanticide and by raising the minimum marriageable age of girls and boys.
- He believed in agitating through constitutional and peaceful methods like writing petitions.
You May Read
Programmes and Achievements of the Early Nationalists
The Indian National Congress from its inception in 1885 to 1905 was dominated by the early nationalists. These early nationalists were eminent personalities. They were lawyers, barristers, teachers, and officials. Because many of them were educated in England, they believed in the British sense of justice and fair play. Read more