Balasaheb Gangadhar Kher | |
|---|---|
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| 1stChief Minister of Bombay State | |
| In office 15 August 1947 – 21 April 1952 | |
| Preceded by | Office Established (Himself as Prime Minister) |
| Succeeded by | Morarji Desai |
| 2ndPrime Minister of Bombay State | |
| In office 30 March 1946 – 15 August 1947 | |
| Preceded by | Governor's Rule |
| Succeeded by | Office Abolished (Himself as Chief Minister) |
| In office 19 July 1937 – 2 November 1939 | |
| Preceded by | Dhanjishah Cooper |
| Succeeded by | Governor's Rule |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 24 August 1888 |
| Died | 8 March 1957(1957-03-08) (aged 68) |
| Political party | Indian National Congress |
| Alma mater | Wilson College |
| Profession | Lawyer, Politician, Social worker, Solicitor |
Balasaheb Gangadhar Kher (24 August 1888 – 8 March 1957[1][2]) was an Indian politician who served as the prime minister of Bombay (1937–1939, 1946–1947) and the first chief minister (then called Premier[3]) ofBombay State (1947–1952). He was awarded thePadma Vibhushan by theGovernment of India in 1954. A lawyer, solicitor and social worker by choice and politician by necessity, Kher was often described as "Sajjan", good and gentle. Kher was a scholar, an accomplished orator, and a man with no pretensions.
Balasaheb Gangadhar Kher was born on 24 August 1888 atRatnagiri in aMarathi faimly[4] He spent some years of his boyhood atKundgol in the thenJamkhandi State. Later, he migrated at the instance ofGopal Krishna Gokhale toPune to study at the New English School. Later he received aB.A. degree with high distinction fromWilson College (Mumbai) in 1908, where he was also awarded theBhau Daji Lad prize for standing first in Sanskrit.[5]
Kher along with Manilal Nanavati started a firm called Manilal Kher & Co. The firm commenced practice on 7 June 1918. The firm was the only firm in Mumbai to have its inauguration ceremony being presided over by the renowned judgeSir Frank Beaman. The firm's name was then changed to Manilal Kher Ambalal & Co.[6]
Kher's political career began in 1922. He was appointed as the Secretary of theBombay branch of theSwaraj Party.[1] During theCivil 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 second Prime Minister of theBombay Province succeedingDhanjishah Cooper in 1937 and continued in office until November 1939. He was arrested and imprisoned in 1940. During theQuit India struggle, he was arrested again and imprisoned in August 1942. He was released from prison on 14 July 1944.
He again became the Prime Minister of the Bombay province on 30 March 1946. He was instrumental in the establishment of Poona University (Now called the "Savitribai Phule Pune University"). A building in the university campus is named after him as "Kher Bhavan." Little Gibbs Road in Malabar Hill area of Mumbai was designated as B.G. Kher Marg in 1976. Kher was in office until 21 April 1952.
Kher was recuperating from anasthma attack at a private nursing home inPune before he died on 8 March 1957.[7]
Kher allotted plots of land in Bandra East to people belonging to the Hindu-Khatik (Scheduled caste) community in 1950–51. That area is known as Kherwadi in his memory. Kher established schools and a hospital, and provided electricity and water supply for people staying in Kherwadi. The Hindu-Khatik community celebrates his birthday at his statue at the Nanda Deep Garden, Kala Nagar, Bandra East.[citation needed]
Declassified MI5 documents were appreciative of Kher and described him as preferable to other political candidates, due to his honesty, sincerity and a preference for the "Anglo" way of administration.[8]
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Prime Minister ofBombay Province 19 July 1937 – 2 November 1939 | Succeeded by Governor's rule |
| Preceded by Governor's rule | Prime Minister ofBombay Province 30 March 1946 – 26 January 1950 | Succeeded by Post abolished |
| Preceded by Post created | Chief Minister ofBombay State 26 January 1950 – 21 April 1952 | Succeeded by |
| Diplomatic posts | ||
| Preceded by | High Commissioner for India 1952 - 1954 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Academics | |
| Other | |
