When Gopal Krishna Gokhale, whom Mahatma Gandhi revered as his political guru and mentor, visited Tolstoy Farm during the Satyagraha movement in South Africa, it led to a quietly powerful episode—one that beautifully illustrates the spirit of true leadership and humility.
At the time [1907], Gandhi had moved into the farm along with the families of satyagrahis who had been imprisoned. The lifestyle he encouraged there was one of simplicity, discipline, and shared hardship. Gokhale, though elderly and unwell, insisted on adapting to the same lifestyle. A cot had been arranged for him in view of his fragile health, but upon learning that everyone else slept on the floor, Gokhale had the cot removed and spread his own bedding on the ground.
This small gesture left a deep impression on Gandhi, who wrote:
“This whole night was a night of repentance for me… Mr. Kallenbach and I entreated him to let us massage his feet. But he would not let us even touch him, and half jocularly, half angrily said: ‘You all seem to think that you have been born to suffer hardships and discomforts, and people like myself have been born to be pampered by you. You must suffer today the punishment for this extremism of yours. I will not let you even touch me… I will bear any amount of hardship but I will humble your pride.’”
— Satyagraha in South Africa, p. 231
Gokhale’s refusal was not one of arrogance but of principle. He would not allow himself to be served or shown special treatment, even by his most devoted followers. And yet, Gandhi recalls that Gokhale bore everything with cheerfulness, never without a smile. Though he did not permit them the privilege of serving him directly, he never dismissed their love and willingness to serve. Gandhi remembered with special affection the letter Gokhale later wrote him from Mombasa—an enduring token of their bond.
Such stories are rare. Though there are many noble leaders—then and now—we often remain unaware of them. But it is no surprise that Gandhi became the man he was, not just because of his own convictions, but because of the quiet influence and integrity of stalwarts like Gokhale.
Today’s generation may not know much about men like Gokhale, but it is worth retelling such incidents. They offer timeless lessons—not only in leadership but also in discipleship, service, and humility. In a time when leadership is often equated with authority and charisma, this moment reminds us that true leadership often expresses itself in self-effacement and respect for shared values.
Another leadership quality exemplified by Gokhale, which sheds further light on his character, concerns his approach to writing and decision-making. Gandhi recounts:
“When he had to write anything, he was in the habit of walking to and from and thinking it out. He had to write a small letter and I thought that he would soon have done with it. But no. As I twitted him upon it, he read me a little homily: ‘You do not know my ways of life. I will not do even the least little thing in a hurry. I will think about it and consider the central idea. I will next deliberate as to the language suited to the subject and then set to write. If everyone did as I do, what a huge saving of time would there be? And the nation would be saved from the avalanche of half‑baked ideas which now threatens to overwhelm her.’”( p. 232)
This anecdote highlights a leadership style rooted not in haste, but in reflection, clarity, and disciplined thought—qualities that complement his humility at Tolstoy Farm and reinforce why Gandhi held him in such profound esteem. In today’s world of social media, where endless scrolling and hasty forwarding prevail, reading such incidents could encourage people to think twice before recklessly forwarding anything to others.
Footnote
- Gopal Krishna Gokhale (1866–1915) was a respected Indian political leader, social reformer, and senior member of the Indian National Congress. Known for his moderate stance and advocacy of constitutional reform, he founded the Servants of India Society in 1905 to promote education and nation‑building. Gokhale was deeply admired by Gandhi, who considered him a mentor and guide during his formative political years.
Reference
M. K. Gandhi, Satyagraha in South Africa, The Selected Works of Mahatma Gandhi, Volume Two, translated from Gujarati by Valji Govindji Desai. Available at www.mkgandhi.org.
Ashram
July 28, 2025
…When Gokhale came to know that all of us slept on the floor, he removed the cot which had been brought for him and had his own bed too spread on the floor. This whole night was a night of repentance for me. Gokhale had a rule in life which seemed to me a bad rule. He would not permit anyone except a servant to wait upon him. He had no servant with him during this tour. Mr. Kallenbach and I entreated him to let us massage his feet. But he would not let us even touch him, and half jocularly, half angrily said: ‘You all seem to think that you have born to suffer hardships and discomforts, and people like myself have been born to be pampered by you. You must suffer today the punishment for this extremism of yours. I will not let you even touch me. Do you think that you will go out to attend to nature’s needs and at the same time keep a commode for me? I will bear any amount of hardship but I will humble your pride.’ These words were to us like a thunderbolt, and deeply grieved Mr. Kallenbach and me. The only consolation was, that Gokhale wore a smile on his face all the while. Krishna no doubt was often deeply offended by Arjuna, ‘unknowing of His majesty and careless in the fondness of his love,’ but he soon forgot such incidents. Gokhale remembered only our will to serve, though he did not accord us the high privilege of serving him. The deeply affectionate letter he wrote me from Mombasa is still imprinted upon my heart. Gokhale bore everything cheerfully, but till the last never accepted the service which it was in our power to render. He had to take the food etc., from our hands, but that he could not help.—Satyagraha in South African, p. 231
…When he [Gokhale] had to write anything, he was in the habit of walking to and fro and thinking it out. He had to write a small letter and I thought that he would soon have done with it. But no. As I twitted him upon it, he read me a little homily: ‘You do not know my ways of life. I will not do even the least little thing in a hurry. I will think about it and consider the central idea. I will next deliberate as to the language suited to the subject and then set to write. If everyone did as I do, what a huge saving of time would there be? And the nation would be saved from the avalanche of half-baked ideas which now threatens to overwhelm her.’ As the reminiscences of Tolstoy Farm would be incomplete without an account of Gokhale’s visit thereto, so would they be if I omitted to say something about the character and conduct of Mr. Kallenbach. It was really a wonder how he lived on Tolstoy Farm among our people as if he were one of us. Gokhale was not the man to be attracted by ordinary things. But even he felt strongly drawn to the revolutionary change in Kallenbach’s life….—p. 232 www.mkgandhi.org
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