‘A graduate at 18, professor and associate editor of the Sudharak at 20, Secretary of the Sarvajanik Sabha and of the Provincial Conference at 25, Secretary of the National Congress at 29, leading witness before an important Royal Commission at 31, Provincial legislator at 34, imperial legislator at 36, President of the Indian National Congress at 39, a patriot whom Mahatma Gandhi himself regained as his master'.
This is how a biographer describes:

Correct Option

The biographical description accurately refers to Gopal Krishna Gokhale (1866–1915). He was a prominent moderate leader of the Indian National Congress (INC) and the founder of the Servants of India Society in 1905. His early life and career milestones align with the description:

• Graduated at 18.
• Became a professor and associate editor of the Sudharak at 20.
• Served as Secretary of the Sarvajanik Sabha and the Provincial Conference at 25.
• Became Secretary of the National Congress at 29.
• Appeared as a leading witness before an important Royal Commission at 31.
• Served as a Provincial legislator at 34 and an Imperial legislator at 36.
• Presided over the Indian National Congress session at Banaras in 1905, at the age of 39.

Mahatma Gandhi regarded Gopal Krishna Gokhale as his political mentor, significantly influencing his early political thought and methods.

Incorrect Options

The other options do not align with the detailed biographical description provided:

• (A) Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya: He was a notable educationist and politician, primarily known for founding the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in 1916 and his role in the Hindu Mahasabha. His career trajectory and specific achievements do not match the description, nor was he regarded as Mahatma Gandhi's political mentor.
• (B) Mahadev Govind Ranade: A distinguished social reformer, jurist, and one of the founding members of the Indian National Congress. While he was a mentor to Gokhale himself, the specific chronological achievements and roles mentioned in the description, particularly regarding the presidency of the INC at 39 or being Gandhi's master, do not apply to Ranade.
• (D) Bal Gangadhar Tilak: A prominent extremist leader of the Indian National Congress, known for his slogan "Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it." His political ideology and specific career milestones, such as being a moderate leader or Gandhi's mentor, do not correspond to the description.