Keshav Rao Koratkar
Encyclopedia
Sri Keshav Rao Koratkar, also known as Keshavraoji, was a pioneer of political, social and educational reforms in Hyderabad State
, India
. Initially working on behalf of the Marathi people
, he became involved in the Indian independence movement
.
Brahmin
. At the age of nine, Keshavraoji left for his sister's house in Gulbarga
where he started learning Urdu and Parsi. He decided to pursue law as a career; in 1889 he passed both law and judiciary exams, and started his law career at Hyderabad in 1896. A highlight of his law career was his appointments as the High Court Judge for the state of Hyderabad.
in Hyderabad. He was the President of Hyderabad Samajik Sudhar Sangh, a social reform organization. In 1907, he was instrumental in starting a school with Marathi as the language of instruction for the large local Marathi speaking community at Residency Bazar
. He was also actively involved in starting a school in Gulbarga with his friend Sri Vittalrao Davulgavkar. He started a Marathi library in 1920 in Hyderabad and inspired the Mararastrian youth. He was instrumental in starting a Marathi monthly magazine named Rajhansa.
, and on his request in 1897 he helped the Chapekar brothers
of Pune
, who were in hiding, seek medical help in Hyderabad. He became a part of the Khilafat movement
. Although mainly a Muslim religious movement, it became a part of the wider Indian independence movement. In 1919 Keshavraoji missed his daughter's wedding to lead the Khilafat Movement
rally, an incident which exemplified his commitment to cause over family.
, and breathed his last on 21 May 1930.
His son Shri Vidyalankar V. K. Koratkar is also Member of Hyderabad and Bombay Legislature and Lok Sabha
.
Hyderabad State
-After Indian independence :When India gained independence in 1947 and Pakistan came into existence in 1947, the British left the local rulers of the princely states the choice of whether to join one of the new dominions or to remain independent...
, 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...
. Initially working on behalf of the Marathi people
Marathi people
The Marathi people or Maharashtrians are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group, that inhabit the Maharashtra region and state of western India. Their language Marathi is part of the southern group of Indo-Aryan languages...
, he became involved in the Indian independence movement
Indian independence movement
The term Indian independence movement encompasses a wide area of political organisations, philosophies, and movements which had the common aim of ending first British East India Company rule, and then British imperial authority, in parts of South Asia...
.
Early years and career
Keshav Rao Koratkar (Keshavraoji) was born in 1867 at Purjal Village in his maternal grandfather's house. He was one among the five sons of Santukarao, a religious MaharashtrianMarathi people
The Marathi people or Maharashtrians are an Indo-Aryan ethnic group, that inhabit the Maharashtra region and state of western India. Their language Marathi is part of the southern group of Indo-Aryan languages...
Brahmin
Brahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
. At the age of nine, Keshavraoji left for his sister's house in Gulbarga
Gulbarga
Gulbarga is a city in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is the administrative headquarters of Gulbarga District. It was formerly part of Nizam's Hyderabad state...
where he started learning Urdu and Parsi. He decided to pursue law as a career; in 1889 he passed both law and judiciary exams, and started his law career at Hyderabad in 1896. A highlight of his law career was his appointments as the High Court Judge for the state of Hyderabad.
Community service
For over two decades Keshavraoji was closely associated with the Hindu reform movement of Arya SamajArya Samaj
Arya Samaj is a Hindu reform movement founded by Swami Dayananda on 10 April 1875. He was a sannyasi who believed in the infallible authority of the Vedas. Dayananda emphasized the ideals of brahmacharya...
in Hyderabad. He was the President of Hyderabad Samajik Sudhar Sangh, a social reform organization. In 1907, he was instrumental in starting a school with Marathi as the language of instruction for the large local Marathi speaking community at Residency Bazar
Bazar
Bazar may refer to:* Bazar, Afghanistan* Bazar, Azerbaijan* Bazar, Łódź Voivodeship * Bazar, Lublin Voivodeship * Bazar, Masovian Voivodeship * Bazar, Ukraine...
. He was also actively involved in starting a school in Gulbarga with his friend Sri Vittalrao Davulgavkar. He started a Marathi library in 1920 in Hyderabad and inspired the Mararastrian youth. He was instrumental in starting a Marathi monthly magazine named Rajhansa.
Indian Independence Movement
Keshavraoji was influenced by his friend Bal Gangadhar TilakBal Gangadhar Tilak
Lokmanya Tilak –, was an Indian nationalist, teacher, social reformer and independence fighter who was the first popular leader of the Indian Independence Movement. The British colonial authorities derogatorily called the great leader "Father of the Indian unrest"...
, and on his request in 1897 he helped the Chapekar brothers
Chapekar brothers
The Chapekar brothers alternatively spelt as Caphekar or Chaphekar , Damodar Hari, Balkrishna Hari and Vasudeo Hari belonged to Chinchwad, then a village, near the former Peshwa capital Pune, in the state of Maharashtra, India.In late 1896, Pune was hit by bubonic plague; by the end of February...
of 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 ...
, who were in hiding, seek medical help in Hyderabad. He became a part of the Khilafat movement
Khilafat Movement
The Khilafat movement was a pan-Islamic, political campaign launched by Muslims in British India to influence the British government and to protect the Ottoman Empire during the aftermath of World War I...
. Although mainly a Muslim religious movement, it became a part of the wider Indian independence movement. In 1919 Keshavraoji missed his daughter's wedding to lead the Khilafat Movement
Khilafat Movement
The Khilafat movement was a pan-Islamic, political campaign launched by Muslims in British India to influence the British government and to protect the Ottoman Empire during the aftermath of World War I...
rally, an incident which exemplified his commitment to cause over family.
Final years
Keshavraoji's final years were marked by ill health due to undiagnosed diabetes and impaired vision. On 20 May 1930, he went into diabetic comaDiabetic coma
Diabetic coma is a reversible form of coma found in people with diabetes mellitus. It is a medical emergency.Three different types of diabetic coma are identified:#Severe diabetic hypoglycemia...
, and breathed his last on 21 May 1930.
His son Shri Vidyalankar V. K. Koratkar is also Member of Hyderabad and Bombay Legislature and Lok Sabha
Lok Sabha
The Lok Sabha or House of the People is the lower house of the Parliament of India. Members of the Lok Sabha are elected by direct election under universal adult suffrage. As of 2009, there have been fifteen Lok Sabhas elected by the people of India...
.