For whom did K. M. Panikkar say that “He was the first diplomat of modern India”?

Question

UnlockIAS · Accepted Answer

Correct — C, Gopal Krishna Gokhale. Gokhale, the moderate Congress leader and Gandhi's political mentor, built his career on measured negotiation rather than confrontation: he served as the Congress's unofficial envoy to England, lobbied English public opinion and testified before official commissions, and helped shape the Morley-Minto Reforms of 1909 through sustained dialogue with British authorities. This negotiation-first style — reasoned persuasion within the constitutional system rather than agitation — is the basis for historians crediting him as independent India's diplomatic forerunner among nationalist leaders, in contrast to the more confrontational approach of leaders like Tilak.

Why the other options are wrong — (a) Known as the 'Grand Old Man of India' and for the Drain of Wealth theory; historically remembered as an economic critic and the first Indian elected to the British House of Commons, not for this specific 'diplomat' description.  (b) Part of the assertive 'Lal-Bal-Pal' trio, known for confrontational nationalism rather than a diplomatic, negotiation-based style.  (d) Leader of the Extremist wing ('Swaraj is my birthright'), whose confrontational approach stood in direct contrast to Gokhale's moderate, negotiation-based method.

Concept: The Indian National Congress's early decades (1885-1907) were dominated by 'Moderate' leaders — Gokhale foremost among them — who pursued reform through petitions, constitutional advocacy and direct negotiation with British authorities, rather than mass agitation. Gokhale's Servants of India Society (founded 1905) formalised this method: trained public servants working within the system for gradual reform.

State PCS 2024 Q65 — History PYQ with Answer

State PCS 2024 Q65 — History PYQ with Answer