Question

See the picture on the side and answer the questions that follow:

1. Identify the person in the given picture. State three policies of the imperial regime which were opposed by this person.
2. What role did he play as a member of the Imperial Legislative Council?
3. How did he try to arouse national awakening?

Answer 1

1. The person is Gopal Krishna Gokhale. He opposed imperial policies such as heavy expenditure on the British (imperial) army, racial discrimination in appointments to high posts, and production/taxes on cotton (and related excise/salt duties).
2. • pleaded for reduction in the salt duty and for abolition of the excise duty on cotton goods.
   • pressed for reduction of tolls and for lower land‑revenue and better employment for the educated middle class; he also attempted bills (e.g., on primary education) and moved resolutions for relief of Indian bonded labour.
3. • founding the Servants of India Society (1905) to train and mobilize workers devoted to public service and national improvement (education, uplift of depressed classes, women’s education).
   • using constitutional agitation, speeches, writings and organisation to create political consciousness and to build the Congress as a responsible forum for Indian public opinion (he also persuaded leaders like Gandhi to enter Indian public life).