Freedom fighter and lawyer Bal Gangadhar Tilak is also known as Lokmanya Tilak.

  • He was born on 23rd July 1856 in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra.
  • He died on 1st August 1920.
  • Referred to as the “Father of Indian Unrest” by British author Valentine Chirol in a book called Indian Unrest.

Ideology

  • Stressed the need for self-rule and believed that without self-rule or swarajya, no progress was possible.
  • Slogan: “Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it!”
  • Believed in Hindu revivalism, but not communalism.
  • Advocated Swadeshi, Boycott, and National Education.
  • Focused on building Indian confidence and unity through cultural nationalism.

Role in Indian National Congress:

  • Leader of the Lal-Bal-Pal trio (Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal).
  • Represented the extremist faction in the INC (split in 1907 Surat Session).
  • Rejoined the INC in 1916 after the Lucknow Pact with the Muslim League.

All India Home Rule League

  • Founded by Tilak in April 1916 at Belgaum.
  • It worked in Maharashtra (except Bombay), the Central Provinces, Karnataka and Berar.

Editor & Journals Founded 

  • Kesari (Marathi)
  • The Maratha (English)

Books

  • Gita Rhasya and Arctic Home of the Vedas.

Social & Cultural Initiatives

  • Started Ganesh Utsav and Shivaji Jayanti to unite people and invoke national pride.
  • Opposed child marriage and supported education for all, especially women.

Role in Education

  • Co-founded Deccan Education Society (1884) and Fergusson College (1885) in Pune.

 

Source: PIB