The correct spelling of the Indian nationalist and assassin Nathuram Godse's name is /nət̪ʰʊrəm ɡoːd̪seɪ/. The first syllable is pronounced with a short 'u' sound, followed by a dental retroflex 't', and an 'h' that indicates aspiration. The second syllable has a long 'o' sound and a retroflex 'd'. The last syllable is pronounced with an 'e' sound with a rising tone. Nathuram Godse is known for assassinating Mahatma Gandhi in 1948, an act that he believed was necessary for the independence and protection of Hinduism in India.
Nathuram Godse was an Indian political activist and a key figure in modern Indian history. He was born on May 19, 1910, in Baramati, British India, and died on November 15, 1949, after being executed for the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi on January 30, 1948.
Godse was a member of the Hindu nationalist organization, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and later became associated with the militant Hindu Mahasabha. He believed in the concept of Hindutva, an ideology that promotes Hindu nationalism and the establishment of a Hindu Rashtra (nation) in India.
On the fateful day of Gandhi's assassination, Godse approached him during a prayer meeting and shot him three times at close range. He alleged that he carried out this act to protect the Hindu community and avenge the perceived injustice caused by Gandhi's policies, particularly his support for the partition of India and the subsequent violence. Godse viewed Gandhi as a proponent of appeasement towards Muslims during the partition, which he believed led to the suffering and displacement of Hindus.
Nathuram Godse's action remains a highly controversial and polarizing event in Indian history. While some individuals and organizations condemn his act as an act of violence and oppose his ideology, others view him as a martyr who sacrificed his life for the protection of Hindu interests. The assassination of Mahatma Gandhi deeply impacted India and left an indelible mark on the nation's political and societal fabric.
The name "Nathuram Godse" is not derived from any specific etymology, as it consists of two names - Nathuram and Godse.
Nathuram is a combination of two Hindi/Sanskrit words - "Nath" meaning "lord" or "god" and "Ram" referring to the Hindu deity Lord Rama. It is a fairly common name in India, with "Rama" being a highly respected figure in Hinduism.
Godse, on the other hand, is a surname that does not have a clear etymology. It is primarily associated with Nathuram Godse, an Indian nationalist who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi in 1948. Godse's ancestry is believed to have roots in the Marathi community, but the origin and meaning of the surname are not definitively known.