Origin and Growth of National Movement in Maharashtra - I | Maharashtra State PSC (MPSC): Preparation - MPSC (Maharastra) PDF Download

 Page 1


 
 
49
5 
 
 
ORIGIN AND GROWTH OF NATIONAL 
MOVEMENT IN MAHARASHTRA - I 
 
a) Foundation of Indian National Congress and its growth till 
1919 
b) Revolutionary Nationalism and Gandhi Era 
 
 
a) Foundation of Indian National Congress and its growth  
    till 1919 
 
Unit Structure : 
 
5.0 Objectives 
5.1 Introduction 
5.2 Foundation of Indian National Congress 
5.3 The Moderate Phase 
5.4 The Extremistist Phase 
5.5 Revolutionary Nationalism 
5.6 Conclusion 
5.7 Questions 
 
5.0  OBJECTIVS 
 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 English education in India was instrumental to the rise of 
middle class that was infused with modern outlook and turned its 
attention to the religious, social and cultural renaissance. This 
renaissance was the spiritual character of the national awakening 
and was the expression of the rising national consciousness in 
Page 2


 
 
49
5 
 
 
ORIGIN AND GROWTH OF NATIONAL 
MOVEMENT IN MAHARASHTRA - I 
 
a) Foundation of Indian National Congress and its growth till 
1919 
b) Revolutionary Nationalism and Gandhi Era 
 
 
a) Foundation of Indian National Congress and its growth  
    till 1919 
 
Unit Structure : 
 
5.0 Objectives 
5.1 Introduction 
5.2 Foundation of Indian National Congress 
5.3 The Moderate Phase 
5.4 The Extremistist Phase 
5.5 Revolutionary Nationalism 
5.6 Conclusion 
5.7 Questions 
 
5.0  OBJECTIVS 
 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 English education in India was instrumental to the rise of 
middle class that was infused with modern outlook and turned its 
attention to the religious, social and cultural renaissance. This 
renaissance was the spiritual character of the national awakening 
and was the expression of the rising national consciousness in 
 
 
India. Nationalism means the supreme loyalty of the individual 
towards its nation, which creates unity and owners among the 
people living in it. Ranade says that this state of mind commenced 
in Maharashtra since the religious movement started by 
Dyaneswara whereas Jadunath Sarkar says that it started since the 
establishment of Chhatrapati Shivaji’s Swaraj. In addition to this, 
there were several other factors responsible for the origin and 
growth of national movement in Maharashtra.  
 
 FOUNDATION OF INDIAN NATIONAL 
CONGRESS 
  
 The political associations like the Bombay Associations, the 
Bombay Presidency Association, the Poona Sarvajanik Sabha and 
many other associations provided forums to articulate the various 
aspirations of people. However, the politically conscious people 
realised the need to organize an all India forum to formulate a 
common programme of activity and carry on public education to 
create broad based freedom struggle. These aspirations led the 
leaders to establish the All India National Congress in 1885 in the 
hall of the Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College, Mumbai. The venue of 
the Congress was shifted from Poona to Mumbai on account of 
outbreak of Cholera an epidemic in Poona. 
 
 After the foundation of Indian national Congress, there arose 
different forms and factions in the Indian nationalism in 
Maharashtra. They were as moderates, extremists, revolutionaries 
and Gandhi age. The first three forms were represented by Gopal 
Krishna Gokhale, Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Vinayak Damodar 
Sarvarkar respectively where as due to the leadership of Mahatma 
Gandhi, his period came to be known as Gandhi age. Although, the 
Congress leaders had different approaches towards the national 
movement, all they aimed the achievement of independence based 
on the unity of people, which was evolved due to common customs, 
civil institutions and historical traditions.  
 
THE MODERATE PHASE 
 
 Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Dadabhai Naoroji, Phirozshah 
Mehta and Mahadev Govind Ranade were theleaders of this 
Congress. These leaders believed in the British liberal traditions, 
their rule of law and sense of judiciary. The moderates wanted 
reforms first with the help of British as freedom of speech, 
association and press, reforms in the executive and legislative 
councils at the centre and in the provinces. The moderates wanted 
the British stop exploiting Indians and destructing Indian crafts and 
cottage industries. They should stop investing in Indian Railways, 
plantations mines and factories. The British should help the rising 
Page 3


 
 
49
5 
 
 
ORIGIN AND GROWTH OF NATIONAL 
MOVEMENT IN MAHARASHTRA - I 
 
a) Foundation of Indian National Congress and its growth till 
1919 
b) Revolutionary Nationalism and Gandhi Era 
 
 
a) Foundation of Indian National Congress and its growth  
    till 1919 
 
Unit Structure : 
 
5.0 Objectives 
5.1 Introduction 
5.2 Foundation of Indian National Congress 
5.3 The Moderate Phase 
5.4 The Extremistist Phase 
5.5 Revolutionary Nationalism 
5.6 Conclusion 
5.7 Questions 
 
5.0  OBJECTIVS 
 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 English education in India was instrumental to the rise of 
middle class that was infused with modern outlook and turned its 
attention to the religious, social and cultural renaissance. This 
renaissance was the spiritual character of the national awakening 
and was the expression of the rising national consciousness in 
 
 
India. Nationalism means the supreme loyalty of the individual 
towards its nation, which creates unity and owners among the 
people living in it. Ranade says that this state of mind commenced 
in Maharashtra since the religious movement started by 
Dyaneswara whereas Jadunath Sarkar says that it started since the 
establishment of Chhatrapati Shivaji’s Swaraj. In addition to this, 
there were several other factors responsible for the origin and 
growth of national movement in Maharashtra.  
 
 FOUNDATION OF INDIAN NATIONAL 
CONGRESS 
  
 The political associations like the Bombay Associations, the 
Bombay Presidency Association, the Poona Sarvajanik Sabha and 
many other associations provided forums to articulate the various 
aspirations of people. However, the politically conscious people 
realised the need to organize an all India forum to formulate a 
common programme of activity and carry on public education to 
create broad based freedom struggle. These aspirations led the 
leaders to establish the All India National Congress in 1885 in the 
hall of the Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College, Mumbai. The venue of 
the Congress was shifted from Poona to Mumbai on account of 
outbreak of Cholera an epidemic in Poona. 
 
 After the foundation of Indian national Congress, there arose 
different forms and factions in the Indian nationalism in 
Maharashtra. They were as moderates, extremists, revolutionaries 
and Gandhi age. The first three forms were represented by Gopal 
Krishna Gokhale, Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Vinayak Damodar 
Sarvarkar respectively where as due to the leadership of Mahatma 
Gandhi, his period came to be known as Gandhi age. Although, the 
Congress leaders had different approaches towards the national 
movement, all they aimed the achievement of independence based 
on the unity of people, which was evolved due to common customs, 
civil institutions and historical traditions.  
 
THE MODERATE PHASE 
 
 Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Dadabhai Naoroji, Phirozshah 
Mehta and Mahadev Govind Ranade were theleaders of this 
Congress. These leaders believed in the British liberal traditions, 
their rule of law and sense of judiciary. The moderates wanted 
reforms first with the help of British as freedom of speech, 
association and press, reforms in the executive and legislative 
councils at the centre and in the provinces. The moderates wanted 
the British stop exploiting Indians and destructing Indian crafts and 
cottage industries. They should stop investing in Indian Railways, 
plantations mines and factories. The British should help the rising 
 
 
Indian capitalists in building Indian industries by way of loans, aid 
and subsidies where ever required. The moderates demanded a 
reduction in heavy taxes, land revenue and free the peasants from 
the debts of money lenders by giving them loans at reasonable 
interest. In order to help the Indian peasantry, the British should 
establish land banks and advance loan for irrigation. The British 
should reduce the military expenditure taking place on its 
maintenance in India. The moderates wanted that the British should 
reform and reorganize the civil services, raise the age criteria from 
19 to 21 years and hold examinations simultaneously in India and 
England.  
 
 They believed in the sense of justice and traditions of 
liberalism of the British. They, therefore, under took petition and 
appeals to get sanctioned their demands. They also undertook 
public meetings and writing extensively in Indian now’s papers, 
journals and pamphlets. Although, the moderates put forth various 
demands and adopted all legal and constitutional strategies to get 
them passed, they could not succeed in getting them passed. 
Leaders like Lala Lajpat Rai and other Extremist Congress 
members were very critical about strategies and programme the 
moderates. Although the moderates could not reach to the masses, 
they could keep alive the Indian national movement for a long 
period.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gopal Krishna Gokhale: The Great Moderate Leader 
 Gopal Krishna Gokhale was one of the early leaders in 
Maharashtra who had dedicated his entire life in the service of the 
people. He was influenced by English liberals like J.S. Mill and 
John Morley. He was deeply influenced by the work of Dadabhai 
Naoroji, M.G. Ranade and Firozshah Mehta. He was the great pupil 
of M.G. Ranade. He was born in Chiplun in Ratnagiri. He had 
studied at the Elphinstone College. He was a professor in 
Fergusson College. He became the member of Deccan Education 
Society. Tilak and Gokhale clashed over the policy matter and Tilak 
resigned his life membership of the society. 
 
Page 4


 
 
49
5 
 
 
ORIGIN AND GROWTH OF NATIONAL 
MOVEMENT IN MAHARASHTRA - I 
 
a) Foundation of Indian National Congress and its growth till 
1919 
b) Revolutionary Nationalism and Gandhi Era 
 
 
a) Foundation of Indian National Congress and its growth  
    till 1919 
 
Unit Structure : 
 
5.0 Objectives 
5.1 Introduction 
5.2 Foundation of Indian National Congress 
5.3 The Moderate Phase 
5.4 The Extremistist Phase 
5.5 Revolutionary Nationalism 
5.6 Conclusion 
5.7 Questions 
 
5.0  OBJECTIVS 
 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 English education in India was instrumental to the rise of 
middle class that was infused with modern outlook and turned its 
attention to the religious, social and cultural renaissance. This 
renaissance was the spiritual character of the national awakening 
and was the expression of the rising national consciousness in 
 
 
India. Nationalism means the supreme loyalty of the individual 
towards its nation, which creates unity and owners among the 
people living in it. Ranade says that this state of mind commenced 
in Maharashtra since the religious movement started by 
Dyaneswara whereas Jadunath Sarkar says that it started since the 
establishment of Chhatrapati Shivaji’s Swaraj. In addition to this, 
there were several other factors responsible for the origin and 
growth of national movement in Maharashtra.  
 
 FOUNDATION OF INDIAN NATIONAL 
CONGRESS 
  
 The political associations like the Bombay Associations, the 
Bombay Presidency Association, the Poona Sarvajanik Sabha and 
many other associations provided forums to articulate the various 
aspirations of people. However, the politically conscious people 
realised the need to organize an all India forum to formulate a 
common programme of activity and carry on public education to 
create broad based freedom struggle. These aspirations led the 
leaders to establish the All India National Congress in 1885 in the 
hall of the Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College, Mumbai. The venue of 
the Congress was shifted from Poona to Mumbai on account of 
outbreak of Cholera an epidemic in Poona. 
 
 After the foundation of Indian national Congress, there arose 
different forms and factions in the Indian nationalism in 
Maharashtra. They were as moderates, extremists, revolutionaries 
and Gandhi age. The first three forms were represented by Gopal 
Krishna Gokhale, Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Vinayak Damodar 
Sarvarkar respectively where as due to the leadership of Mahatma 
Gandhi, his period came to be known as Gandhi age. Although, the 
Congress leaders had different approaches towards the national 
movement, all they aimed the achievement of independence based 
on the unity of people, which was evolved due to common customs, 
civil institutions and historical traditions.  
 
THE MODERATE PHASE 
 
 Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Dadabhai Naoroji, Phirozshah 
Mehta and Mahadev Govind Ranade were theleaders of this 
Congress. These leaders believed in the British liberal traditions, 
their rule of law and sense of judiciary. The moderates wanted 
reforms first with the help of British as freedom of speech, 
association and press, reforms in the executive and legislative 
councils at the centre and in the provinces. The moderates wanted 
the British stop exploiting Indians and destructing Indian crafts and 
cottage industries. They should stop investing in Indian Railways, 
plantations mines and factories. The British should help the rising 
 
 
Indian capitalists in building Indian industries by way of loans, aid 
and subsidies where ever required. The moderates demanded a 
reduction in heavy taxes, land revenue and free the peasants from 
the debts of money lenders by giving them loans at reasonable 
interest. In order to help the Indian peasantry, the British should 
establish land banks and advance loan for irrigation. The British 
should reduce the military expenditure taking place on its 
maintenance in India. The moderates wanted that the British should 
reform and reorganize the civil services, raise the age criteria from 
19 to 21 years and hold examinations simultaneously in India and 
England.  
 
 They believed in the sense of justice and traditions of 
liberalism of the British. They, therefore, under took petition and 
appeals to get sanctioned their demands. They also undertook 
public meetings and writing extensively in Indian now’s papers, 
journals and pamphlets. Although, the moderates put forth various 
demands and adopted all legal and constitutional strategies to get 
them passed, they could not succeed in getting them passed. 
Leaders like Lala Lajpat Rai and other Extremist Congress 
members were very critical about strategies and programme the 
moderates. Although the moderates could not reach to the masses, 
they could keep alive the Indian national movement for a long 
period.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gopal Krishna Gokhale: The Great Moderate Leader 
 Gopal Krishna Gokhale was one of the early leaders in 
Maharashtra who had dedicated his entire life in the service of the 
people. He was influenced by English liberals like J.S. Mill and 
John Morley. He was deeply influenced by the work of Dadabhai 
Naoroji, M.G. Ranade and Firozshah Mehta. He was the great pupil 
of M.G. Ranade. He was born in Chiplun in Ratnagiri. He had 
studied at the Elphinstone College. He was a professor in 
Fergusson College. He became the member of Deccan Education 
Society. Tilak and Gokhale clashed over the policy matter and Tilak 
resigned his life membership of the society. 
 
 
 
His Attitude towards the Politics 
Gokhale made critical analysis of the political situation in 
India. He criticized British policy of maintaining a ratio of 1 : 2 
between British forces and Indian forces. Gokhale entered the 
Bombay Legislative Council. During his tenure he worked hard to 
solve the problem of famine, land revenue and agricultural 
discontent. He also acted as a member of Pune Municipal 
Corporation. He introduced a practice of printing the rule which 
were passed in meeting. He reached the peak of his career when 
he was elected to the Imperial Legislative Council in 1981. His 
entrance in the council opened a new chapter in his life. His 
budgetary analysis earned great praise even from opponents. He 
took pride in the service of the common people. He always pointed 
out that the expenditure on welfare schemes would make people to 
resist the famines. 
 
Gokhale and the Indian Expenditure Commission 
The British government appointed Indian expenditure under 
Lord Welby to enquire about financial administration in 1896. Welby 
commission was appointed to inquire into the administration and 
management of the military and civil expenditure. The commission 
was appointed by parliament for its own guidance and for it own 
jurisdiction. Gokhale took great pains to bring to light all the facts. 
He shed light on the revenue problems and economic exploitation 
of the people. He made several suggestions to the commission for 
improving the Indian budget. He also suggested that legislative 
council of Madras, Bombay and Bengal and other provinces should 
send one representative to the British parliament. It consisted of all 
seasoned statesmen including Wedderburn, Caine and Dadabhai 
Naoroji. Gokhale was chief witness before the commission. 
Gokhale was brilliant in his work. He was praised by Wedderburn. 
 
In Bombay Legislative Council  
 Gokhale was elected in legislative assembly. He took special 
interest in the problems of famine, land alienation bill and the 
working of the Municipal Corporations. Maharashtra experienced a 
series of calamities in those years. Famine and plague took a great 
toll of human lives. The people were suffering from the repression 
of government officials. Gokhale remarkably made analysis of the 
problem in the legislative council.  
 
The Imperial Legislative Council 
 Gokhale’s role in Imperial Legislative Council was full of 
enthusiasm and hope. Between 1902 and 1911 he made eleven 
speeches on the Budget and thirty six other speeches of 
importance. In his fight against bureaucracy, Gokhale’s approach 
was constitutional. His first speech on the Indian budget was 
remarkable for its large vision and facts. It shed light on the 
injustice of the British toward the Indians. It brought out his deep 
Page 5


 
 
49
5 
 
 
ORIGIN AND GROWTH OF NATIONAL 
MOVEMENT IN MAHARASHTRA - I 
 
a) Foundation of Indian National Congress and its growth till 
1919 
b) Revolutionary Nationalism and Gandhi Era 
 
 
a) Foundation of Indian National Congress and its growth  
    till 1919 
 
Unit Structure : 
 
5.0 Objectives 
5.1 Introduction 
5.2 Foundation of Indian National Congress 
5.3 The Moderate Phase 
5.4 The Extremistist Phase 
5.5 Revolutionary Nationalism 
5.6 Conclusion 
5.7 Questions 
 
5.0  OBJECTIVS 
 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 English education in India was instrumental to the rise of 
middle class that was infused with modern outlook and turned its 
attention to the religious, social and cultural renaissance. This 
renaissance was the spiritual character of the national awakening 
and was the expression of the rising national consciousness in 
 
 
India. Nationalism means the supreme loyalty of the individual 
towards its nation, which creates unity and owners among the 
people living in it. Ranade says that this state of mind commenced 
in Maharashtra since the religious movement started by 
Dyaneswara whereas Jadunath Sarkar says that it started since the 
establishment of Chhatrapati Shivaji’s Swaraj. In addition to this, 
there were several other factors responsible for the origin and 
growth of national movement in Maharashtra.  
 
 FOUNDATION OF INDIAN NATIONAL 
CONGRESS 
  
 The political associations like the Bombay Associations, the 
Bombay Presidency Association, the Poona Sarvajanik Sabha and 
many other associations provided forums to articulate the various 
aspirations of people. However, the politically conscious people 
realised the need to organize an all India forum to formulate a 
common programme of activity and carry on public education to 
create broad based freedom struggle. These aspirations led the 
leaders to establish the All India National Congress in 1885 in the 
hall of the Gokuldas Tejpal Sanskrit College, Mumbai. The venue of 
the Congress was shifted from Poona to Mumbai on account of 
outbreak of Cholera an epidemic in Poona. 
 
 After the foundation of Indian national Congress, there arose 
different forms and factions in the Indian nationalism in 
Maharashtra. They were as moderates, extremists, revolutionaries 
and Gandhi age. The first three forms were represented by Gopal 
Krishna Gokhale, Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Vinayak Damodar 
Sarvarkar respectively where as due to the leadership of Mahatma 
Gandhi, his period came to be known as Gandhi age. Although, the 
Congress leaders had different approaches towards the national 
movement, all they aimed the achievement of independence based 
on the unity of people, which was evolved due to common customs, 
civil institutions and historical traditions.  
 
THE MODERATE PHASE 
 
 Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Dadabhai Naoroji, Phirozshah 
Mehta and Mahadev Govind Ranade were theleaders of this 
Congress. These leaders believed in the British liberal traditions, 
their rule of law and sense of judiciary. The moderates wanted 
reforms first with the help of British as freedom of speech, 
association and press, reforms in the executive and legislative 
councils at the centre and in the provinces. The moderates wanted 
the British stop exploiting Indians and destructing Indian crafts and 
cottage industries. They should stop investing in Indian Railways, 
plantations mines and factories. The British should help the rising 
 
 
Indian capitalists in building Indian industries by way of loans, aid 
and subsidies where ever required. The moderates demanded a 
reduction in heavy taxes, land revenue and free the peasants from 
the debts of money lenders by giving them loans at reasonable 
interest. In order to help the Indian peasantry, the British should 
establish land banks and advance loan for irrigation. The British 
should reduce the military expenditure taking place on its 
maintenance in India. The moderates wanted that the British should 
reform and reorganize the civil services, raise the age criteria from 
19 to 21 years and hold examinations simultaneously in India and 
England.  
 
 They believed in the sense of justice and traditions of 
liberalism of the British. They, therefore, under took petition and 
appeals to get sanctioned their demands. They also undertook 
public meetings and writing extensively in Indian now’s papers, 
journals and pamphlets. Although, the moderates put forth various 
demands and adopted all legal and constitutional strategies to get 
them passed, they could not succeed in getting them passed. 
Leaders like Lala Lajpat Rai and other Extremist Congress 
members were very critical about strategies and programme the 
moderates. Although the moderates could not reach to the masses, 
they could keep alive the Indian national movement for a long 
period.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gopal Krishna Gokhale: The Great Moderate Leader 
 Gopal Krishna Gokhale was one of the early leaders in 
Maharashtra who had dedicated his entire life in the service of the 
people. He was influenced by English liberals like J.S. Mill and 
John Morley. He was deeply influenced by the work of Dadabhai 
Naoroji, M.G. Ranade and Firozshah Mehta. He was the great pupil 
of M.G. Ranade. He was born in Chiplun in Ratnagiri. He had 
studied at the Elphinstone College. He was a professor in 
Fergusson College. He became the member of Deccan Education 
Society. Tilak and Gokhale clashed over the policy matter and Tilak 
resigned his life membership of the society. 
 
 
 
His Attitude towards the Politics 
Gokhale made critical analysis of the political situation in 
India. He criticized British policy of maintaining a ratio of 1 : 2 
between British forces and Indian forces. Gokhale entered the 
Bombay Legislative Council. During his tenure he worked hard to 
solve the problem of famine, land revenue and agricultural 
discontent. He also acted as a member of Pune Municipal 
Corporation. He introduced a practice of printing the rule which 
were passed in meeting. He reached the peak of his career when 
he was elected to the Imperial Legislative Council in 1981. His 
entrance in the council opened a new chapter in his life. His 
budgetary analysis earned great praise even from opponents. He 
took pride in the service of the common people. He always pointed 
out that the expenditure on welfare schemes would make people to 
resist the famines. 
 
Gokhale and the Indian Expenditure Commission 
The British government appointed Indian expenditure under 
Lord Welby to enquire about financial administration in 1896. Welby 
commission was appointed to inquire into the administration and 
management of the military and civil expenditure. The commission 
was appointed by parliament for its own guidance and for it own 
jurisdiction. Gokhale took great pains to bring to light all the facts. 
He shed light on the revenue problems and economic exploitation 
of the people. He made several suggestions to the commission for 
improving the Indian budget. He also suggested that legislative 
council of Madras, Bombay and Bengal and other provinces should 
send one representative to the British parliament. It consisted of all 
seasoned statesmen including Wedderburn, Caine and Dadabhai 
Naoroji. Gokhale was chief witness before the commission. 
Gokhale was brilliant in his work. He was praised by Wedderburn. 
 
In Bombay Legislative Council  
 Gokhale was elected in legislative assembly. He took special 
interest in the problems of famine, land alienation bill and the 
working of the Municipal Corporations. Maharashtra experienced a 
series of calamities in those years. Famine and plague took a great 
toll of human lives. The people were suffering from the repression 
of government officials. Gokhale remarkably made analysis of the 
problem in the legislative council.  
 
The Imperial Legislative Council 
 Gokhale’s role in Imperial Legislative Council was full of 
enthusiasm and hope. Between 1902 and 1911 he made eleven 
speeches on the Budget and thirty six other speeches of 
importance. In his fight against bureaucracy, Gokhale’s approach 
was constitutional. His first speech on the Indian budget was 
remarkable for its large vision and facts. It shed light on the 
injustice of the British toward the Indians. It brought out his deep 
 
 
concern over the growing poverty of the people. In his budget 
speeches Gokhale made suggestions regarding the improvement in 
irrigation sector. He generally confined himself to the economic 
aspect of national life. His role in the Imperial Legislative Council 
was historic. 
 
Gokhale and Congress 
Gokhale was great pupil of M.G. Ranade. He had great 
influence of Ranade through his life and work. He was the president 
of the congress at Banaras in 1905. He defined ultimate goal of 
congress as self government within the British Empire. Like other 
moderate leaders he believed in British sense of justice. He was of 
view that India needed British rule at that time. His goal was to 
achieve self government. He had firm faith in constitutional 
agitation. Through this method he wanted to make people aware of 
the political movement. According to him good governance should 
be progressive and it must take care of the opinion of local self 
governing bodies. He regarded state as an instrument to bring 
necessary social reform. 
 
Social Reforms 
Like all the moderate leaders, Gokhale favoured struggle for 
social reforms. He championed the cause of depressed classes. He 
rightly pointed out that in western countries society is based on 
class distinction and class can easily be changed. However in 
India, it was the mark of birth. It is harmful for the development of 
the country. He raised his voice against social evil of untouchability 
and caste distinction in Dharwad Social Conference. However like 
Ranade, he could not involve himself in social reform movement 
actively. 
 
Education :  
 Gokhale was a primary teacher in earlier life. Having come 
to politics from education, he was interested in primary education. 
In his speeches, he often urged the Government to improve the 
condition of the people and offer them educational opportunities. 
He made several useful recommendations to improve the state of 
affairs. According to him two things of the budget of the educational 
expenditure should be given by the government and rest by the 
local bodies. 
 
The Plague and Famine Administration (1897) 
 In 1896, Mumbai and Pune saw the rise of plague. The 
schools and colleges were closed down. W.C. Rand was the 
plague commissioner. He committed many atrocities on the people 
in the name of preventing the spread of epidemic. At that time 
Gokhale was in England. He received the news about this incident. 
He publicly criticized the brutality of the British. However, Mumbai 
Government challenged him to reveal the sources. Instead of