G. S. Khaparde

Ganesh Srikrishna Khaparde (also known as Dadasaheb Khaparde) (27 August 1854 – 1 July 1938) was an Indian lawyer, scholar, political activist and a noted devotee of Shirdi Sai Baba and saint Gajanan Maharaj.

Born in a Deshastha Brahmin family at Ingroli in Berar, Khaparde studied Sanskrit and English Literature before beginning law. He graduated with an LLB in 1884, which led him to Government service. He served as a Munsiff and an assistant commissioner at Berar between 1885 and 1890. Closely associated with Bal Gangadhar Tilak, he took a keen interest in politics and in 1890 resigned from service to begin his own law practice at Amravati. Khaparde was the chairman of the reception committee at the Amravati Congress in 1897.

Later, Khaparde was a founding member of Tilak's Indian Home Rule League in 1916, Between May 1919 and January 1920, Khaparde was in England again as a delegate of the Home Rule League's deputation to the Joint Parliamentary committee. During his stay of seven months he made speeches in England. He became popular by way of his wit, humour and mannerism and hence some news-paper described him as Mark Twain.

Following the inauguration of Montagu–Chelmsford Reforms, he was selected a member of the Imperial Legislative Council. Between 1910 and 1918, his Shirdi diary recording visits to Sai Baba shed much light on Baba's life, his routine, and his work.

G.S. Khaparde had a son, Balkrishna Ganesh Khaparde, also a lawyer and leader. He died on 1 July 1938.