Why this matters now
Gokhale personifies the Moderate method — constitutional agitation, reasoned argument and reform from within the system. He is examined for the Servants of India Society, his role in the Imperial Legislative Council, his mentorship of Gandhi, and his contrast with the Extremists led by Tilak.
Life and rise
Born in 1866 in Maharashtra, Gokhale was a professor at Fergusson College, Pune, and a protégé of the social reformer M.G. Ranade. He rose through the Congress to become its President at the Banaras session in 1905, leading the Moderate camp.
The Servants of India Society
In 1905 Gokhale founded the Servants of India Society to train a cadre of dedicated public workers committed to the service of the nation through constitutional means — promoting education, social reform and the welfare of the poor and depressed classes. It was a pioneering institution of full-time, ethically-motivated public service.
In the Imperial Legislative Council
As a member of the Imperial Legislative Council, Gokhale was renowned for his mastery of public finance — his budget speeches were models of reasoned, fact-based critique. He pressed for the spread of elementary education (his Elementary Education Bill sought free and compulsory primary schooling) and for greater Indian participation in governance.
Mentor to Gandhi
When Gandhi returned from South Africa, Gokhale advised him to spend a year travelling India to understand its people before entering politics. Gandhi revered Gokhale as his political guru, admiring his moderation, sincerity and discipline. Gokhale died in 1915, on the eve of the Gandhian era he helped prepare.
UPSC angle
Link Gokhale to the Servants of India Society (1905), his budget mastery in the Imperial Legislative Council, and his role as Gandhi’s political guru. Contrast the Moderate method with Tilak’s Extremism.
Frequently asked questions
Who was Gopal Krishna Gokhale?
A leading Moderate leader of the Indian National Congress (1866-1915), founder of the Servants of India Society, a master parliamentarian, and the political mentor of Mahatma Gandhi.
What is the Servants of India Society?
An organisation founded by Gokhale in 1905 to train dedicated public workers for the service of the nation through constitutional means, education and social reform.
Why is Gokhale called Gandhi’s political guru?
Because Gandhi revered him as a mentor; on returning from South Africa, Gandhi followed Gokhale’s advice to first travel India and understand its people.
What was Gokhale known for in the Legislative Council?
His brilliant, fact-based budget speeches and his advocacy of free and compulsory elementary education.