Gopal Ganesh Agarkar
Encyclopedia
Gopal Ganesh Agarkar was a social reformer from Maharashtra
, India
during the British Raj
.
district now in Sangli district of Maharashtra. Agarkar had his primary education from Karad
(till 3rd Standard, English medium). After doing some clerical work in a court at Karad, he went to Ratnagiri
but could not get education there. In 1878, he got his B. A. degree followed by later M. A. in 1880.
in 1884, a pioneering educational institution of the Deccan. He also founded new english school 1880 in Pune, Maharashtra and famous Fergusson college during last years of his life in 1885.
He was the first editor of Kesari
, a prominent Marathi weekly in those days which was started by Lokmanya Tilak in 1880-81. He subsequently left Kesari out of ideological differences with Tilak concerning the primacy of political reform versus social reform; with Agarkar believing that the need for social reform was more immediate. He started his own periodical Sudharak in which he campaigned against the injustices of untouchability
and the caste system. Agarkar abhorred blind adherence to and glorification of tradition and the past. He supported widow re-marriage. Though Agarkar championed social reforms he let his wife observe all the old traditions of Hindu faith and never once came in her way.
Tilak and Agarkar were contemporaries but with contrasting personalities although both came from families with similar social backgrounds. By nature Tilak tended toward extreme views while Agarkar tended toward the moderate. In Marathi they would say Jahal Tilak ani Maval Agarkar. Tilak hailed from a financially well-off family, while Agarkar was born in indigence. His financial condition was so bad that he used to study in the light of streetlamps during his college days, owned a single shirt, and never would ride a train or car for traveling. Ideological confilicts eventually led to a parting of these two social reformers. Agarkar expired unexpectedly on 17 June 1895.
Agarkar writes his biography in the"futke nashib" and he was the only social worker who seen antyatra by his eyes.In 1892 after death of fergussion college principle aapte sir agarkar was taken the charge of principle.
In 1895 because dama (Asthma) he was get death.In only age of 39 he got death but his work will be still going to develop the people,country and throgh all world
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
during the British Raj
British Raj
British Raj was the British rule in the Indian subcontinent between 1858 and 1947; The term can also refer to the period of dominion...
.
Early life
Gopal Ganesh Agarkar was born on 14 July 1856 in Tembhu , a village in SataraSatara
Satara is a city located in the Satara District of Maharashtra state of India. The town is 2320 ft. above sea-level, near the confluence of the Krishna and its tributary river Venna. The city was the capital of the Maratha empire in the 17th century, hence one of the the historical cities of...
district now in Sangli district of Maharashtra. Agarkar had his primary education from Karad
Karad
Karad is a town and a municipal council in Satara district in the Indian state of Maharashtra. It lies at the confluence of Koyna River and the Krishna River. The two rivers originate at Mahabaleshwar which is around 100 km from Karad. They diverge at their origin and then meet again in...
(till 3rd Standard, English medium). After doing some clerical work in a court at Karad, he went to Ratnagiri
Ratnagiri
Ratnāgiri is a port city on the Arabian Sea coast in Ratnagiri district in the southwestern part of Maharashtra, India. The district is a part of Konkan.The Sahyadri mountains border Ratnagiri to the east...
but could not get education there. In 1878, he got his B. A. degree followed by later M. A. in 1880.
Achievements and philosophy
Agarkar was a founding member of the Deccan Education SocietyDeccan Education Society
Deccan Education Society came into existence after Shri Vishnushastri Chiplunkar founded New English School along with Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, in year 1880 in its present location of Tilak Road in Pune, India...
in 1884, a pioneering educational institution of the Deccan. He also founded new english school 1880 in Pune, Maharashtra and famous Fergusson college during last years of his life in 1885.
He was the first editor of Kesari
Kesari
This article is about the Marathi newspaper. For other uses of the word, see Kesari Kesari is a newspaper founded by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, a prominent leader of the Indian Independence movement....
, a prominent Marathi weekly in those days which was started by Lokmanya Tilak in 1880-81. He subsequently left Kesari out of ideological differences with Tilak concerning the primacy of political reform versus social reform; with Agarkar believing that the need for social reform was more immediate. He started his own periodical Sudharak in which he campaigned against the injustices of untouchability
Untouchability
Untouchability is the social practice of ostracizing a minority group by segregating them from the mainstream by social custom or legal mandate. The excluded group could be one that did not accept the norms of the excluding group and historically included foreigners, nomadic tribes, law-breakers...
and the caste system. Agarkar abhorred blind adherence to and glorification of tradition and the past. He supported widow re-marriage. Though Agarkar championed social reforms he let his wife observe all the old traditions of Hindu faith and never once came in her way.
Tilak and Agarkar were contemporaries but with contrasting personalities although both came from families with similar social backgrounds. By nature Tilak tended toward extreme views while Agarkar tended toward the moderate. In Marathi they would say Jahal Tilak ani Maval Agarkar. Tilak hailed from a financially well-off family, while Agarkar was born in indigence. His financial condition was so bad that he used to study in the light of streetlamps during his college days, owned a single shirt, and never would ride a train or car for traveling. Ideological confilicts eventually led to a parting of these two social reformers. Agarkar expired unexpectedly on 17 June 1895.
Agarkar writes his biography in the"futke nashib" and he was the only social worker who seen antyatra by his eyes.In 1892 after death of fergussion college principle aapte sir agarkar was taken the charge of principle.
In 1895 because dama (Asthma) he was get death.In only age of 39 he got death but his work will be still going to develop the people,country and throgh all world