Patel Rangè Gowda Character Analysis in Kanthapura

Kanthapura’s patel, or government representative, village headman, and landholder. Achakka likens the hot-tempered and powerful (but lazy) patel to a tiger, noting that in Kanthapura “nothing can be done without Rangè Gowda.” Everyone in the village fears him, and after his faith in Mahatma Gandhi leads him to join Moorthy’s movement as the second-in-command, much of the village follows. After he joins the Gandhian protests, the colonial government replaces Rangè Gowda with a new patel, but Rangè Gowda maintains the people’s favor and continues to effectively serve as patel, which demonstrates the success of Gandhian Satyagraha in disrupting the colonial power structure by refusing to acknowledge its legitimacy. He is the only resident of Kanthapura who returns to visit it after Rachi burns it down.

Patel Rangè Gowda Character Timeline in Kanthapura

The timeline below shows where the character Patel Rangè Gowda appears in Kanthapura. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Gandhism and the Erosion of Caste Theme Icon

Labor, Exploitation, and Economic Independence Theme Icon

Patel Rangè Gowda , “a fat, sturdy fellow, a veritable tiger amongst us,” lives just past the Temple... (full context)

Land, Geography, and Belonging Theme Icon

...and nobody in Kanthapura wanted him to live with them. Patwari Nanjundia sends Khan to Patel Rangè Gowda’s house, where he waits in frustration—Rangè Gowda is busy ordering his sons-in-law around and tells... (full context)

But Rangè Gowda is the Government Representative in town, Badè Khan remarks, so finding Khan a house is... (full context)

...The family before goddess Kenchamma’s grove and heads to Kanthapura, where Moorthy brings them to Patel Rangè Gowda , who orders Beadle Timmayya to give them “shelter and water and fire.” Rachanna and... (full context)

Moorthy approaches Rangè Gowda first, for “nothing can be done without Rangè Gowda.” Rangè Gowda tells Moorthy “if there’s... (full context)

Moorthy tells Rangè Gowda that he wants to create a Congress in Kanthapura that can join the Congress of... (full context)

When Rangè Gowda mentions his fury at Badè Khan, Moorthy explains that “the Mahatma says you must love... (full context)

...women. He returns to the potters and weavers, who affirm their commitment (for their Elder, Patel Rangè Gowda , and the Panchayat all said yes), and tells Rangè Gowda about everyone’s agreement in... (full context)

Oral Tradition, Writing, and Political Power Theme Icon

That evening, Moorthy convenes a procession and gives a bhajan. Rangè Gowda begins to explain the Congress but everyone stands when Moorthy enters, which he finds presumptuous—Rangè... (full context)

Rangè Gowda declares Moorthy “our president” and Seenu jokingly declares Rangè Gowda “our Super-President and Protector” before... (full context)

Suddenly, the Police Inspector shouts to Badè Khan: “bind this man!” Rangè Gowda stands at Rangamma’s door with “Pariah Rachanna and Madanna and Lingayya and Lingayya’s woman” and... (full context)

...him, spitting on them and tying them with rope, then kicking their heads and stomachs. Rangè Gowda rushes across over and knocks out a policeman with “one bang on the head.” The... (full context)

More and more of the villagers begin ordering Rangamma’s Blue paper, including illiterates like Rangè Gowda (who has his son read it aloud), and they discuss it every night after Ramakrishnayya’s... (full context)

...various people from Kanthapura ask Rangamma about Moorthy and continue to talk against the government. Rangè Gowda loses his “Patel-ship,” which means the government has broken “the ancient laws,” and the villagers... (full context)

The women approach Rangè Gowda , who promises to force the pariah boys to follow Gandhi after the harvests. He... (full context)

...the mountains through the valleys and into Kanthapura, where its residents thank the goddess Kenchamma. Rangè Gowda , who no longer runs Kanthapura, asks the villagers about their preparations for the auspicious... (full context)

Priest Rangappa presides as everyone assembles with their cattle and Rangè Gowda , whom the people still recognize as their true Patel, rides his horse into town.... (full context)

...sing, “the Blue-god he comes, prancing and playing” as they plan his return on Tuesday. Rangè Gowda even donates two banana trees from his garden, with which the people make an offering... (full context)

The villagers, “even lazy Rangè Gowda ,” all assemble in the courtyard, debating when Moorthy will arrive. They hear “a screech... (full context)

...to exploit the poor and the unhappy;” and they will “establish a parallel Government” with Rangè Gowda back in charge as Patel. (full context)

Two days later, 139 villagers begin marching to Boranna’s toddy grove, led by Moorthy, Rangamma, Rangè Gowda , and Pariah Rachanna in a cart. They announce their intentions in song and stop... (full context)

...claiming that “he would follow [the Congress’s instructions] unto death if need be.” Moorthy and Rangè Gowda try to open the toddy grove’s gate as Pariah Rachanna leads the other marchers in... (full context)

...Government and the no-taxer and the rebels” before naming various fields around the village, even Rangè Gowda ’s big field. Suddenly, the villagers realize what is happening and begin to weep. Achakka... (full context)

Rangè Gowda was the only villager to return to Kanthapura. His wife and daughter went to stay... (full context)

Rangè Gowda reports that most of the houses are destroyed and men from Bombay have taken over... (full context)