Which nationalist leader, one of the founders of the Poona Sarvajanik Sabha (established in 1870), attended the Imperial Durbar of 1877 dressed in hand-spun khadi to symbolise Indian poverty?

Introduction / Context:
Before the rise of the mass national movement under Gandhi, early nationalist leaders and organisations laid the foundation of political awakening in India. The Poona Sarvajanik Sabha was one such pioneering public association, and some of its leaders used powerful symbolic gestures to highlight the condition of Indians under British rule. Attending the Imperial Durbar in coarse, hand spun cloth was one such act, long before Gandhian politics made khadi a mass symbol. This question asks you to identify the specific leader who did this and was also a founder of the Poona Sarvajanik Sabha.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The event mentioned is the Imperial Durbar of 1877. - The leader came dressed in hand spun khadi to represent the poverty of Indian people. - He was a founder of the Poona Sarvajanik Sabha, established in the early 1870s. - Four prominent leaders are given as options.

Concept / Approach:
Ganesh Vasudev Joshi, also known as "Sarvajanik Kaka", was a key figure in the Poona Sarvajanik Sabha and early nationalist politics. He is particularly remembered for appearing at the Delhi Imperial Durbar in 1877 dressed in coarse, hand spun cloth to dramatise Indian poverty in front of the British imperial elite. M. G. Ranade was also associated with the Poona Sarvajanik Sabha but is not noted for this specific symbolic act. S. N. Banerjee and Bal Gangadhar Tilak were important nationalists, yet this particular incident is not linked to them in standard historical accounts.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the Poona Sarvajanik Sabha as an early political association formed in the 1870s in Poona (Pune). Step 2: Recall that Ganesh Vasudev Joshi was one of the main founders of this Sabha and a respected lawyer and public activist. Step 3: Remember the famous incident where he attended the 1877 Imperial Durbar dressed in rough, indigenous cloth to symbolise Indian poverty before the British Viceroy. Step 4: M. G. Ranade, though associated with the Sabha, is not credited with this particular act in exam oriented narratives. Step 5: S. N. Banerjee worked mainly in Bengal, and Bal Gangadhar Tilak emerged later as a mass leader; neither fits the specific description given. Step 6: Therefore, the correct answer is Ganesh Vasudev Joshi.

Verification / Alternative check:
In most modern Indian history textbooks, when the Poona Sarvajanik Sabha is discussed, Ganesh Vasudev Joshi is described as an important founder and is often mentioned alongside this symbolic Durbar episode. The story is highlighted to show that even in the late 19th century some Indian leaders used clothing and personal appearance to make political points about the economic exploitation of India. Cross checking with multiple exam guides confirms that this anecdote is consistently associated with Joshi, not with Ranade, Banerjee or Tilak.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
M. G. Ranade is wrong because, although he was an important member and intellectual force behind the Poona Sarvajanik Sabha, he is not credited with attending the Durbar in coarse khadi for this purpose.

S. N. Banerjee is wrong as he was a leading nationalist in Bengal and not central to the Poona Sarvajanik Sabha or this specific 1877 Durbar incident.

Bal Gangadhar Tilak is wrong because he became a major mass leader in the later nationalist phase and is not linked to this particular early symbolic protest.

Common Pitfalls:
A common confusion arises because students remember Ranade and Joshi together in relation to the Poona Sarvajanik Sabha and sometimes attribute Joshi's symbolic gesture to Ranade by mistake. Others may see the reference to khadi and instinctively think of Tilak or even Gandhi, forgetting the earlier time frame. To avoid such errors, fix in your mind the association: “Poona Sarvajanik Sabha founder + 1877 Durbar + coarse khadi = Ganesh Vasudev Joshi (Sarvajanik Kaka).” This compact association is very helpful for quick recall.

Final Answer:
The leader who attended the 1877 Imperial Durbar in hand spun khadi and helped found the Poona Sarvajanik Sabha was Ganesh Vasudev Joshi.