B. G. Kher
Encyclopedia
Balasaheb Gangadhar Kher (also known as B. G. Kher) (August 24, 1888 - March 8, 1957) was the first chief minister (then called prime minister) of Bombay State
which consisted of present day Maharastra and Gujrat
States of India
. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan
by the Government of India
in 1954. A lawyer, solicitor and social worker by choice and politician by necessity, Kher were often described as “Sajjan”, good and gentle. Kher was a scholar, an accomplished orator, and a man with no pretensions.
in a middle class Karhade Brahmin
family. He spent some years of his boyhood at Kundgol
in the then Jamkhandi State. Later, he migrated at the instance of Gopal Krishna Gokhale
to Pune
to study at the New English School. Later he obtained the degree of B.A. in 1908 from the Wilson College
, with high distinction and received the Bhau Daji Lad prize for standing first in Sanskrit.
. During the Civil disobedience movement he was arrested and sentenced to eight months' rigorous imprisonment and fine in 1930. He was again arrested in 1932 and sentenced to two years rigorous imprisonment and fine. He became the first prime minister of Bombay Province in 1937 and continued in office till October, 1939. He was arrested and imprisoned in 1940. During the Quit India struggle, he was again arrested and imprisoned in August, 1942. He was released from prison on July 14, 1944. He again became prime minister of Bombay province on March 30, 1946. He was in office till April 21, 1952. He died in Pune
on March 8, 1957.
Bombay State
The Bombay State was a state of India, dissolved with the formation of Maharashtra and Gujarat states on May 1, 1960.-History:During British rule, portions of the western coast of India under direct British rule were part of the Bombay Presidency...
which consisted of present day Maharastra and Gujrat
Gujrat
Gujrat is a city in Pakistan. It is the capital of Gujrat District and the Gujrat Tehsil subdivision in the Punjab Province. People living in Gujrat refer to themselves as Gujratis, which sometimes leads to confusion with people from the Indian state of Gujarat which adjoins Pakistan...
States of 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...
. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan
Padma Vibhushan
The Padma Vibhushan is the second highest civilian award in the Republic of India. It consists of a medal and a citation and is awarded by the President of India. It was established on 2 January 1954. It ranks behind the Bharat Ratna and comes before the Padma Bhushan...
by the Government of India
Government of India
The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India...
in 1954. A lawyer, solicitor and social worker by choice and politician by necessity, Kher were often described as “Sajjan”, good and gentle. Kher was a scholar, an accomplished orator, and a man with no pretensions.
Early life
Balasaheb Gangadhar Kher was born on August 24, 1888 at RatnagiriRatnagiri
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...
in a middle class Karhade Brahmin
Karhade Brahmin
Karhade Brahmins are a predominantly Pancha Dravida Brahmins Marathi and Konkani speaking Hindu community in India.-Etymology and Origin:*The name Karháda or Karáda, is the...
family. He spent some years of his boyhood at Kundgol
Kundgol
Kundgol is a panchayat town in Dharwad district in the Indian state of Karnataka.-Introduction:Kundgol is Located in Dharwad District of Karnataka is about 14 km south-west of Hubli and 32 km south-west of Dharwad....
in the then Jamkhandi State. Later, he migrated at the instance of Gopal Krishna Gokhale
Gopal Krishna Gokhale
Gopal Krishna Gokhale, CIE was one of the founding social and political leaders during the Indian Independence Movement against the British Empire in India. Gokhale was a senior leader of the Indian National Congress and founder of the Servants of India Society...
to Pune
Pune
Pune , is the eighth largest metropolis in India, the second largest in the state of Maharashtra after Mumbai, and the largest city in the Western Ghats. Once the centre of power of the Maratha Empire, it is situated 560 metres above sea level on the Deccan plateau at the confluence of the Mula ...
to study at the New English School. Later he obtained the degree of B.A. in 1908 from the Wilson College
Wilson College, Mumbai
The Wilson College, set up in 1832 in Mumbai, is one of India’s oldest colleges, with its foundation preceding that of the University of Mumbai by 25 years...
, with high distinction and received the Bhau Daji Lad prize for standing first in Sanskrit.
Political career
B. G. Kher's political career began in 1922 and he was chosen as Secretary of the Bombay branch of the Swaraj PartySwaraj Party
The Swaraj Party, Swarajaya Party or Swarajya Party, established as the Congress-Khilafat Swarajaya Party, was a political party formed in India in 1922 that sought greater self-government and political freedoms for the Indian people from the British Raj. It was inspired by the concept of Swaraj...
. During the Civil disobedience movement he was arrested and sentenced to eight months' rigorous imprisonment and fine in 1930. He was again arrested in 1932 and sentenced to two years rigorous imprisonment and fine. He became the first prime minister of Bombay Province in 1937 and continued in office till October, 1939. He was arrested and imprisoned in 1940. During the Quit India struggle, he was again arrested and imprisoned in August, 1942. He was released from prison on July 14, 1944. He again became prime minister of Bombay province on March 30, 1946. He was in office till April 21, 1952. He died in Pune
Pune
Pune , is the eighth largest metropolis in India, the second largest in the state of Maharashtra after Mumbai, and the largest city in the Western Ghats. Once the centre of power of the Maratha Empire, it is situated 560 metres above sea level on the Deccan plateau at the confluence of the Mula ...
on March 8, 1957.
Further reading
- Kamath, M.V. B.G. Kher, The Gentleman Premier, Mumbai: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.