Gokhale and Gandhi: An Analysis

This paper aims to identify and evaluate the ideational interaction between Gokhale and Gandhi, two eminent nationalists and thinkers. The very fact that Gandhi called Gokhale his political Guru has led many observers to believe that Gandhi was following Gokhale in totality. That, however, was not the reality of the situation and it would be unjust, both to Gokhale and Gandhi, if one were to assess the role and contribution of both these eminent activists and thinkers in identical terms. One thing that stands out in this context is the essential efforts of both, Gokhale and Gandhi to humanise politics and transform its basic character. There are several pertinent questions on the individual identity of both, because there cannot be two eminent nationalists emerging as identical in some way or in totality. This paper attempts to look into this particular dimension of modern Indian political thought and the related outcomes that ultimately reflected upon the nature and direction of the Indian National Movement.