You have acquired a very old model iPad2. The Gmail App requires iOS12 or later.
iPad2, iPad3 and iPad mini1 can only be updated to iOS 9.3.5 (WiFi Only models) or iOS 9.3.6 (WiFi & Cellular models).
Apple ended update support for these models in September 2016. Your iPad cannot be updated to iOS 10 or later major versions of iOS, as the internal hardware does not meet the minimum technical requirements for new versions of iOS/iPadOS. This limitation cannot be bypassed; these are 32-bit architecture devices, whilst all recent versions of iOS/iPadOS are designed for 64-bit hardware platforms. iPad2, iPad3 and iPad mini1 are all obsolete.
You need to consider that compatible Apps for your iPad are increasingly difficult to find - as most third-party developers have dropped support for 32-bit devices and iOS versions preceding iOS11/12/13. As older versions of Apps are removed from the Apple App Store, you’ll not be able to (re)download or install them - which may severely limit the usefulness and utility of your iPad. As such, if you want or need to access most current Apps, requiring more recent versions of iOS, you’ll need to consider replacement of your iPad with a newer or current model.
Of current models, even the entry-level iPad9 has specifications and capabilities that will massively outperform you current iPad - and is compatible with the vast majority of current Apps. Other models are more powerful still.
I hope this information provides succinct clarity as to your available options - and the limitations of your current iPad.
You may be able to add your Gmail account to the native iPad Mail App - but you will need to create an App-specific password from within your Google account. The App-specific password will intentionally differ from your Google account password. More information about Google App-specific passwords can be found here:
https://support.google.com/mail/answer/185833?hl=en-GB
