# Nathuram Godse

> N.Godse (1910-1949)

**Wikidata**: [Q312553](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q312553)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathuram_Godse)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/nathuram-godse

## Summary
Nathuram Godse (1910–1949) was an Indian nationalist associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), best known for assassinating Mahatma Gandhi in 1948. He was a journalist and political activist who opposed the partition of India and held strong views on Hindu nationalism. His actions and writings reflected his alignment with Hindutva ideology, particularly influenced by figures like Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.

## Biography
- Born: 19 May 1910, in British India
- Nationality: Indian
- Education: Limited formal education; involved in RSS-linked activities from an early age
- Known for: Assassination of Mahatma Gandhi
- Employer(s): Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)
- Field(s): Politics, Journalism, Nationalism

## Contributions
Nathuram Godse is primarily known for the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi on 30 January 1948, which he carried out during a prayer meeting in New Delhi. He was a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu nationalist organization, and was influenced by the ideology of Hindutva. His act of political violence was ideologically motivated and rooted in opposition to Gandhi's perceived concessions to Muslims during the partition of India. Godse also engaged in journalism and published content critical of the Indian National Congress and Gandhi's policies. He was part of a broader movement that viewed Gandhi's approach as detrimental to Hindu interests.

## FAQs
### What is Nathuram Godse known for?
Nathuram Godse is known for assassinating Mahatma Gandhi on 30 January 1948. He was a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and was influenced by the ideology of Hindutva. His act was politically motivated and widely condemned.

### What organizations was Nathuram Godse affiliated with?
Godse was affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu nationalist paramilitary organization. He was also associated with the Hindu Mahasabha, a political party advocating for Hindu interests.

### What were Nathuram Godse's political views?
Godse held strong Hindu nationalist views and opposed the partition of India. He believed that Gandhi's policies favored Muslims and were harmful to Hindu interests, which motivated his actions.

### Was Nathuram Godse involved in journalism?
Yes, Godse worked as a journalist and used the press to propagate his political views. He was critical of the Indian National Congress and Gandhi's stance on communal issues.

### What was the impact of Nathuram Godse's actions?
His assassination of Gandhi led to national mourning and a significant shift in India's political discourse. It also resulted in his trial and execution in 1949.

## Why They Matter
Nathuram Godse's assassination of Mahatma Gandhi marked a turning point in Indian political history. His actions triggered widespread shock and introspection about communal harmony and the cost of political extremism. The event led to a reevaluation of India's secular and inclusive values, and Godse's ideology continues to be a subject of debate in discussions about nationalism, religion, and violence. His act remains one of the most controversial in modern Indian history, shaping political narratives and security policies for decades.

## Notable For
- Assassination of Mahatma Gandhi
- Membership in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)
- Advocacy of Hindutva ideology
- Involvement in journalism and political activism
- Execution by hanging on 15 November 1949

## Body
### Early Life
Nathuram Vinayak Godse was born on 19 May 1910 in British India. He was raised in a Hindu nationalist environment and became involved with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) from an early age. His early life was shaped by the political turbulence of the British Raj and the growing communal tensions in India.

### Career
Godse worked as a journalist and used his platform to propagate Hindu nationalist views. He was critical of the Indian National Congress and Mahatma Gandhi's policies, which he believed favored Muslims. His writings and speeches reflected his alignment with Hindutva ideology, particularly influenced by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.

### Political Affiliations
Godse was a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu nationalist organization. He was also associated with the Hindu Mahasabha, a political party that sought to represent Hindu interests. His political views were shaped by the ideology of Hindutva, which emphasized Hindu cultural and religious supremacy.

### Assassination of Mahatma Gandhi
On 30 January 1948, Nathuram Godse shot and killed Mahatma Gandhi during a prayer meeting in New Delhi. This act was motivated by his belief that Gandhi's policies were detrimental to Hindu interests, particularly during the partition of India. The assassination led to national mourning and a reevaluation of India's secular values.

### Trial and Execution
Following the assassination, Godse was arrested and tried for the murder. He was sentenced to death and executed by hanging on 15 November 1949. His execution marked the end of his short but impactful life, which was defined by his political activism and extremist views.

### Legacy and Influence
Godse's actions had a lasting impact on Indian political discourse. His assassination of Gandhi led to a national reckoning on communal harmony and the dangers of political extremism. The event influenced India's approach to secularism and national integration, and Godse's ideology continues to be debated in academic and political circles.

### Ideological Influences
Godse was influenced by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, a prominent advocate of Hindutva. His views were shaped by the belief that Gandhi's policies were harmful to Hindu interests, particularly during the partition of India. This ideological conviction motivated his actions and legacy.

### Public Reaction and Historical Significance
The assassination of Gandhi led to widespread shock and mourning across India. It also triggered a reevaluation of the country's secular and inclusive values. Godse's act remains one of the most controversial in modern Indian history, shaping political narratives and security policies for decades.

## References

1. [World Famous Trials. Pustak Mahal. 2012](https://books.google.ru/books?id=Cty5vgLuGCgC&pg=PA366&dq=nathuram+godse+baramati)
2. International Standard Name Identifier
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. CiNii Research
5. BnF authorities
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. [Source](http://rss.org/)
8. BBC Things
9. Quora