Gopaldas Ambaidas Desai Biography 
Gopaldas Ambaidas Desai was a ruler of the State of Dhasa in Saurashtra. Also known by the name Darbar Gopaldas Desai, he was born into a clan of Princely Patels. He is best remembered to be the first Indian prince who gave up his principality to become a freedom fighter against British. He participated in both the Borsad and Bardoli Satyagrahas, followed by Civil Disobedience Movement and Quit India Movement. Desai has also been imprisonment by British for his fight against British. He lived during the period 1887–1951, and had to give away his throne for his activities against British. Gopaldas' brother Chaturbhai was the last ruler of princely state of Dhasa, before the implementation of democratic India. Also known as a social activist, later his biography work was published by Rajmohan Gandhi titled The Prince of Gujarat (2014).
Gopaldas Ambaidas Desai was born in the year 1887 in Vaso in the present day Kheda district of Gujarat. He was a feudatory to the Baroda State and was a Patel. He was a Vaishnavite. He succeeded his maternal grandfather Ambaidas to become the ruler of Dhasa. Ambaidas had already adopted him and named Gopaldas as his successor. He strongly supported Mahatma Gandhi and Indian freedom struggle movement and also financially helped them.
Known as a progressive ruler, educationist and philanthropist, he implemented free education in his state. He also gave financial help for the first Montessori in Dhasa. By early 1920s he became fully active with Indian National Congress and freedom struggle movement. He was strongly supported by Bhakti Lakshmidevi Desai, his wife. British proposed Gopaldas' eldest son Suryakant as the new ruler. When Suryakant suggested that he shares the same views as his father, Gopaldas' brother Chaturbhai was appointed as the new ruler by British. He was elected to the Constituent Assembly of India following India’s freedom. However he died in 1951.
Published: N/A
Updated: April 03, 2016
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