History & Civics
(a) Identify the person in the given picture. State three policies of the imperial regime which were opposed by this person.

(b) What role did he play as a member of Imperial Legislative Council?
(c) How did he try to arouse national awakening?
Answer
(a) The person in the given picture is Gopal Krishna Gokhle. The three policies of the imperial regime which were opposed by this person were:
- Incurring huge expenditure on the British army
- Adopting the policy of racial discrimination in appointments to high posts
- Imposing production tax on cotton.
(b) As a member of Imperial Legislative Council he played the following role:
- He pleaded in the Council for reduction in Salt Duty and the abolition of excise duty on cotton goods.
- His efforts led to reduction of toll taxes.
- He tried to introduce a bill with a view to make primary education compulsory but he could not achieve much success in it.
- He demanded radical changes in fiscal policy and better jobs for educated middle class.
- He impressed upon the government to reduce the land revenue.
(c) Gopal Krishna Gokhale actively worked to arouse national awakening in India through several impactful efforts:
- As a member of the Indian National Congress, Gokhale campaigned for Indian self-rule and social reforms. He sought to obtain greater political representation and power for common Indians.
- He criticised the Government on issues such as incurring huge expenditure on the British army, adopting the policy of racial discrimination in appointments to high posts and imposing production tax on cotton.
- During his visit to England he tried to persuade the British statesmen not to give effect to the Partition of Bengal.
- He played a crucial role in encouraging Mahatma Gandhi to return to India and join public life.
- Gokhale tirelessly worked to reduce burdensome taxes i.e. Salt tax, Toll tax and to reduce the land revenue.
- Gokhale set up the Servants of India Society in 1905. The main aim of the Society was to train national leaders who would dedicate themselves to the service of India.
- He actively addressed social issues like untouchability and caste discrimination.
Related Questions
Surendranath Banerjee is popularly known as the 'Father of the Indian Nationalism'. In this context, answer the following:
(a) Trace his contribution towards the formation of the Indian National Congress.
(b) What was India's political goal according to Surendranath Banerjee? What were the methods he advocated to attain it?
(c) What was his contribution to India's freedom struggle?
Imagine that you got a chance to interview one of the Early Nationalist leaders. On the basis of interview, express your views on the Early Nationalist leader's beliefs as well as the methods used by him.
Suppose you want to present the demands of the people of your area to the MLA of your area. State which methods followed by the Early Nationalists you would choose and why?