Who was Mahatma Gandhi’s political mentor in India?

Gopal Krishna Gokhale was widely regarded as Mahatma Gandhi’s political mentor in India. Gandhi met him after returning from South Africa and respected his constitutional methods, moderation, and commitment to public service.

Gokhale was a leader of the moderate wing of the Indian National Congress and founded the Servants of India Society in 1905. He encouraged Gandhi to study Indian conditions carefully before taking a major political role.

Gandhi regarded Gokhale as a guide and described him with deep admiration. Gokhale died in 1915, soon after Gandhi returned to India permanently. Although Gandhi later led mass movements using methods that differed from Gokhale’s constitutional approach, Gokhale’s influence remained important in Gandhi’s political formation.