What is the Name of Mahatma Gandhi's Political Guru?
The term 'political guru' is often associated with a mentor who provides strategic guidance and ideological framework for a leader's political journey. In the case of Mahatma Gandhi, a prominent figure in the Indian independence movement, his political guru was Gopal Krishna Gokhale.
Introduction to Gopal Krishna Gokhale
While no one person is known to have been strictly a 'political guru' in the strictest sense, Gopal Krishna Gokhale was the individual whom Gandhi looked up to and learned from the most during his formative years in politics. Gokhale was not only a political leader but also an influential social reformer and one of the founding members of the Indian National Congress.
Gopal Krishna Gokhale: Gandhi's Mentor and Guide
Gopal Krishna Gokhale and Mahatma Gandhi first met in 1886 when Gokhale was in Cuddapah, where Gandhi was working as a lawyer. Gokhale immediately recognized and respected Gandhi's potential, and they formed a close relationship that lasted throughout Gandhi's life. Gandhi referred to Gokhale as his mentor and guide in his autobiography, 'The Story of My Experiments with Truth.'
Under Gokhale's influence, Gandhi learned to move around India to have firsthand knowledge of the state of affairs, which was crucial for his future work. Gokhale's ideas on social and political reform played a significant role in shaping Gandhi's approach to the Indian independence movement.
Quotes from Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi acknowledged Gokhale's influence in his autobiography:
"In his autobiography, Gandhi calls Gokhale his mentor and guide. Gandhi also recognized Gokhale as an admirable leader and master politician, describing him as a 'karmyogi' par excellence."
Gandhi also noted that Gokhale was one of the few leaders in India who believed in non-violence as a means to achieve social and political reform. This belief was a cornerstone of Gandhi's philosophy and political strategy.
The Role of Rajaji and Others
It is also worth mentioning that other figures such as C. Rajagopalachari (often referred to as 'Rajaji') and individuals like Shri Shashtri Chandra and Bal Gangadhar Tilak also contributed to Gandhi's political thought. However, Gokhale was the primary influence during the early stages of Gandhi's political career.
One can argue that Sri Rama played a symbolic role as the ultimate political guru, but in practical terms, Gokhale was the person Gandhi learned from and respected the most during his early political years. Gandhi's experiments with truth and his dedication to non-violence were heavily influenced by his interactions and learnings from Gokhale.
Gandhi's journey was not just about learning from one guru but about continuous self-improvement and adaptation of different ideas to suit the needs of his movement. This made him one of the most remarkable leaders in the history of modern India.
Conclusion: Relevance in Modern Times
Even in today's world, the lessons from Gokhale's influence on Gandhi remain relevant. The importance of an open and humble approach to learning, the power of non-violence, and the significance of understanding the needs of the common people are still valuable lessons that can inspire leaders and change-makers today.