Gopal Krishna Gokhale death anniversary: Fascinating facts about the social reformer

Gopal Krishna Gokhale was a well-known political leader during India's struggle for independence.

He was a renowned social reformer whose goals were to promote nonviolence and reform within existing government institutions.

He died on 19 February, 1915.

On his death anniversary here are some interesting facts about the social reformer

• Gopal Krishna Gokhale was born in a Brahmin family. Despite being from a relatively poor household, his family members ensured that Gokhale received an English education, which would place Gokhale in a position to obtain employment during British Raj.

• Mahatma Gandhi in his autobiography, referred to Gokhale as his mentor and guide. Being one of the first generations of Indians to receive a college education, he was widely respected in the intellectual community.

• Gokhale was one of the founders of the Servants of India Society (1905), whose members took vows of poverty and lifelong service to the underprivileged.

• He opposed the ill-treatment of untouchables, or low-caste Hindus, and also took up the cause of impoverished Indians living in South Africa.

• Gokhale was among the most prominent faces in the Indian National Congress and a strong advocate for gaining independence from British rule via constitutional means.

• He became a member of the Indian National Congress in 1889. He was also the secretary of the Indian National Congress's "Reception Committee" during its Poona session in 1895.

• Gokhale was reportedly one of the first Indians to complete graduation. In 1884, after his graduation in arts at the Elphinstone College, Bombay, Gokhale moved to Pune to take up a teaching job at a school.