Gopinath Bordoloi Biography, Life, Interesting Facts

Gopinath Bordoloi was born on June 6, 1890, in Raha, Assam, India. His parents were Praneshwari Devi and Budheswar Bordoloi. Sadly, Devi, Bordoloi’s mother, passed away when he was a child. For his teenage years, he was primarily raised by his father and his older sister, Shashikala Devi.

Education

Gopinath Bordoloi attended several schools throughout his youth. One of the first proper schools that he attended in India was Cotton College. Later, Gopinath Bordoloi moved to West Bengal to attend the Scottish Church College. He graduated from this school with a bachelor’s degree in history in 1911.

After his graduation from the Scottish Church College, he went on to attend the University of Calcutta. Gopinath Bordoloi graduated from his school in 1914 with a master’s degree in history.

After this, Gopinath Bordoloi went onto study law. He took many breaks during his studies, but he finally passed his law exam around 1917, which is about the same time he opened his own legal practice.

Political Career

It was in the 1920’s that Gopinath Bordoloi began showing an interest in politics. He joined a movement led by Gandhi in 1921. However, by 1922 the movements had grown too violent (police were attacking protesters) that Gopinath Bordoloi began to focus on his law practice. However, this only lasted for a few months.

In 1922, Gopinath Bordoloi became a volunteer member of the Indian National Congress. While in this group, he still met with Gandhi. Throughout the 1920’s, he stayed loyal to his position. Also during this decade, he helped to set up private learning institutions that the government had little to no power over.

Gopinath Bordoloi continued to work in politics during the 1930’s. Gopinath Bordoloi became more involved in this decade than he had been in the last. Gopinath Bordoloi was a part of the Guwahati Municipal Board. Also during this decade, he was active on many committees and attended various political meetings.

In 1938, Gopinath Bordoloi’s political career took a jump up. It was around this time that Sadullah invited Gopinath Bordoloi to help him form a new government for Assam. A few years earlier, in 1935, an act was passed to try to make British India a country (during this time it was called British Raj, and Assam was only a province). However, many people living in India at the time did not want to be part of a new British India. A vote was held, and instead of a new government being formed, a new political party was formed.  Gopinath Bordoloi was made the Prime Minister and the head of this new political movement not to be apart of British India. While working in this position, Gopinath Bordoloi acted in a conservative manner. Gopinath Bordoloi banned opium and gave land only to natives, not immigrants.

During World War II, Gopinath Bordoloi’s cabinet members resigned. In 1939, Gopinath Bordoloi was arrested. Gopinath Bordoloi was released from prison less than a year later because of his failing health. Once Gopinath Bordoloi was out of prison, he became tied up in the Quit India Movement in 1942. This movement called for Britain to release its hold on India and to allow India to become its own country. This movement was largely led by Gandhi. During this movement, many congress members were arrested. Bordoloi was one of the members to get arrested. Their political party was also made illegal. Gopinath Bordoloi was later released from prison in 1944.

In 1945, the British finally began working on creating a constitution for India. It was also in this year that Bordoloi became the Prime Minister again. A cabinet commission was made by the British government in the following year. With the meddling of the British, Assam got the short end of the stick, but Gopinath Bordoloi was ready to fight to get more rights for the province. He talked with Gandhi about this. Gandhi shared his beliefs that he should continue to fight for Assam’s rights.

Although Gopinath Bordoloi was willing to fight for Assam, he did not do so violently. He worked with Gandhi, as well as others, to accomplish his goals peacefully. In 1947, Assam was allowed to be a part of India, rather than Pakistan. They would have basic Indian rights, which was what Bordoloi wanted.

Publications

Many of Gopinath Bordoloi’s books were penned while he was in prison. Some of his most famous books are listed below.

Buddhadeb

Shreeramachandra

Annasaktiyog

Family Life

Gopinath Bordoloi married Surabala Devi in 1910.

Death

Gopinath Bordoloi died on August 5, 1950, in Guwahati, Assam, India. He was 60 years old when he passed away.