In 1911, who among the following introduced a bill in the Imperial Legislative Council for introduction of compulsory and free primary education in India ?

In 1911, Gopal Krishna Gokhale introduced a private member's bill in the Imperial Legislative Council aimed at making primary education free and compulsory in India [1]. This historic bill, presented on March 16, 1911, proposed that local authorities be empowered to enforce compulsory attendance for boys aged 6 to 10, provided a certain percentage of children in the area were already attending school. Gokhale's advocacy was inspired by the 1870 Education Act of England and the progressive steps taken by the state of Baroda in 1906 [1]. Although the British government eventually rejected the bill in 1912 due to financial concerns and fear of political awakening among the masses, it laid the foundational genesis for the right to education in India [1]. Gokhale is thus remembered as a pioneer who championed mass education against colonial neglect.

Sources

1. [1] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 30: Development of Education > Government Resolution on Education Policy—1913 > p. 568