GOPALA KRISHNA GOKHALE the muster-roll of Indian publicists that have nobly served their country, the late Mr. Gokhale occupied a very conspicuous position,—indeed, a position which, if not unequalled, has never been surpassed, by the foremost of his contemporaries. It were idle or at any rate premature to predict, at this stage, of the coming leader of New India, whose attainments and record of service might eclipse Gokhale's unique contributions to the Indian cause. For Gokhale placed on the altar of patriotic duty, not simply his talents, energies and abounding enthu siasm, but his very all. Politics were to him not a hobby, to be ridden to death during moments of relaxation from the strenuous duty of piling up riches ; nor yet a pastime when other pursuits became cumbersome and boring, to while away the tedium of an aimless existence ; but an exalted form of duty which demanded sacrifice and study, and intelligent and continuous interest of a life-time. Politics to Gokhale were coeval with life and religion and the most intimate verities of personal life.
These were, for him, synonymous with useful citizen ship and national duty.
Without the slightest attempt at exaggeration it may be said of him that ever since he took his B.A. degree, from Elphinstone College, Bombay, at the early age of eighteen, right up to the date of his retirement practically in 1904, from the professoriate of Fergusson College, Poona, self-dedication to India has been the most dominant motive of his life. And when, in 1906, we see him emerge on the political arena at the termination of his two years' furlough, secured after an uninterrupted educational work for eighteen years, we find the capacity for service and self-sacrifice that was a normal feature of his life, enhanced and intensified. This spirit of self abnegation never forsook him. At a time when he was at the zenith of fame, having the possibility of lucrative careers well within his grasp, he preferred an arduous sphere with a bare subsistence allowance attached to it, because of his conviction that this sphere would afford wider opportunities for unosten tatious service, and because he felt that he would thereby be laying the foundations deep of that spirit of co-operation which is essential to true success in nation-building.
Gokhale kindled a rare enthusiasm in his pupils and taught various subjects, for example, history, mathematics and economics, in the indigenous institution, on whose Board of Control, so to speak, he was himself a distinguished member. The very
fact that his services were successfully utilised in the teaching of such diverse subjects bears witness to his versatility which never compromised his efficent discharge of the duties thrust on him. His colleagues would often chaff him and designate him as " a professor to order " who would step into the breach as emergency arose. He had a fine ear for English style, and would devour with great avidity brilliant master-pieces by English authors of renown. And he was always thorough almost to a fault, in his preparation of lectures and addresses. But though his mental powers were quite capacious and his memory of brilliant retentiveness, the des tinies had not ordained that his great successes should be won on the academic battlefield. His services as professor were quite successful, but by no means of unique distinction. He would exercise great discrimination in selecting pupils of exceptional merit for special interest.
His father, who held a small post in Kagal, a state in Kolapur, died when the hero of our sketch was only twelve years old. At the early age of eighteen, Gopalrao had to decide on his life work, having passed his matriculation from the Raja Ram High School in 1881, his " previous " from Raja Ram College in the year following, his first B.A. from the Deccan College in part, and his final B.A. from Elphinstone College, Bombay. So at an age when the minions of fortune are safely cradled behind parental care, and the pampered sons of luxury take a breathing-space before some prosperous berths are found for them, Gokhale was completely thrown on his own resources. But, needless to say, this strenuous discipline bred in him habits of industry, foresight and self-reliance which did splendid service for him, throughout his life and left its imprint on his personality. It is, of course, true that the hard struggles of his early life somewhat contributed to his premature death, if also to his precocity and mental vigour. But we shall express no great surprise at this, if we bear in mind that, with a few exceptions, most of India's illustrious men have had, since his day and before, to smash their way through adversity.