On the death of which Indian leader did Mahatma Gandhi lament, “My strongest bulwark is gone”?

Introduction / Context:
Mahatma Gandhi often expressed deep admiration and gratitude for his political mentors and colleagues in the Indian freedom struggle. His reactions to their deaths reveal how important they were to him personally and to the national movement in general. The phrase “My strongest bulwark is gone” is one such poignant remark, and knowing to whom Gandhi referred when he said this helps you connect key leaders and their relationships within the Indian National Congress.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The quotation is “My strongest bulwark is gone.”
• The speaker is Mahatma Gandhi, reacting to the death of another leader.
• The options include Gopalakrishna Gokhale, Motilal Nehru, Pherozeshah Mehta and Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
• We assume that the learner knows Gandhi had a special mentor-disciple relationship with one of these leaders.

Concept / Approach:
Gopalakrishna Gokhale was a senior moderate leader of the Indian National Congress and a key mentor to Gandhi. Gandhi referred to Gokhale as his “political guru” and often acknowledged his guidance in matters of strategy and constitutional agitation. When Gokhale died in 1915, Gandhi felt that he had lost both a personal guide and a strong protective support within Indian politics. His remark “My strongest bulwark is gone” reflects this sense of loss. Although Gandhi also respected Tilak, Motilal Nehru and Pherozeshah Mehta, this specific phrase is associated with the death of Gokhale.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify Gopalakrishna Gokhale as a moderate Congressman and founder of the Servants of India Society. Step 2: Recall that Gandhi considered Gokhale his political mentor and often sought his advice after returning from South Africa. Step 3: Recognise that Gokhale's death in 1915 left Gandhi without this senior moderating influence at a crucial time in his political development. Step 4: Understand that the phrase “My strongest bulwark is gone” expresses the feeling of losing a key source of support and guidance. Step 5: Distinguish this relationship from Gandhi's interactions with Motilal Nehru, Pherozeshah Mehta and Tilak, important leaders but not his primary “guru.” Step 6: Conclude that Gandhi spoke these words on the death of Gopalakrishna Gokhale.

Verification / Alternative check:
Biographies of Gandhi and historical works on the Indian freedom movement repeatedly mention that Gandhi viewed Gokhale as his political guru and that he greatly mourned Gokhale's death in 1915. These sources quote or paraphrase Gandhi's remark that with Gokhale's passing, his “strongest bulwark” in Indian politics was gone. While Gandhi also admired leaders like Tilak and Nehru, similar language of mentorship and dependence is most strongly associated with Gokhale, confirming this match.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Motilal Nehru: A prominent leader and father of Jawaharlal Nehru, but not usually described as Gandhi's political guru or “strongest bulwark.”
• Pherozeshah Mehta: An influential early Congress leader, yet the specific quotation is not linked to his death in Gandhi's writings.
• Bal Gangadhar Tilak: A fiery nationalist whom Gandhi respected, but Gandhi's statements about Tilak are phrased differently; the phrase in the question is tied to Gokhale.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes choose Tilak or Motilal Nehru because of their prominence and Gandhi's respect for them. However, they may overlook the special mentor-disciple bond between Gandhi and Gokhale. To avoid mistakes, remember that Gandhi explicitly called Gokhale his political guru and expressed his grief at Gokhale's death with the words “My strongest bulwark is gone,” making Gopalakrishna Gokhale the correct answer.

Final Answer:
Mahatma Gandhi lamented, “My strongest bulwark is gone,” on the death of Gopalakrishna Gokhale.