Bal Gangadhar Tilak was an Indian social reformer and freedom activist. He was one of the prime architects of modern India and probably the strongest advocate of Swaraj, or self-rule, for India.
His famous declaration, “Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it,” inspired many. He opposed the moderates, and Along with Bipin Chandra Pal and Lala Lajpat Rai, he was called the ‘Lal-Bal-Pal’ trio of extremist leaders. Due to this fundamental difference in outlook, Tilak and his supporters came to be known as the extremist wing of the Indian National Congress Party. Tilak was one of the first INC leaders to suggest that Hindi in the Devanagari script be India’s sole language.
(बाल गंगाधर टिळक, एक भारतीय राष्ट्रवादी, शिक्षक, समाज सुधारक, वकील और एक स्वतन्त्रता सेनानी थे। ये भारतीय स्वतन्त्रता संग्राम के पहले लोकप्रिय नेता हुए; ब्रिटिश औपनिवेशिक प्राधिकारी उन्हें “भारतीय अशान्ति के पिता” कहते थे। उन्हें, “लोकमान्य” का आदरणीय शीर्षक भी प्राप्त हुआ, जिसका अर्थ हैं लोगों द्वारा स्वीकृत ।)
Contribution Bal Gangadhar Tilak
- He was keen on setting up good educational institutes in the country since he believed that education must be imparted with an emphasis on Indian culture. He was one of the founders of the Fergusson College in Pune through the Deccan Education Society.
- He also propagated swadeshi movements and encouraged people to boycott foreign goods.
- He coordinated the work of the Deccan Education Society with his associate Gopal Ganesh Agarkar and others.
- He published two newspapers, Kesari in Marathi and Mahratta, in English. In both these, he severely criticized the government
- He founded the All-India Home Rule League. His League would work in Maharashtra (except Bombay), the Central Provinces, Karnataka, and Berar.
- The Lucknow pact between the Congress and the Muslim League was mediated by him, and he greatly criticized the British Divide and Rule policy
Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Surat Split
The INC was split into two sections at the Surat session in 1907: the extremists and the moderates.
Reason: When Rasbehari Ghose was elected president, the extremists resorted to violence because they wanted either Tilak or Lajpat Rai to be president. As a result, the Surat split occurred.
While extremists intended to use protest to abolish the British monarchy’s tyranny, moderates supported administrative and constitutional reforms.
Lal Bal and Pal commanded the extremist camp, while Gopal Krishna Gokhle represented the moderate camp.
Jail: He served six years in Mandalay Prison from 1908 and 1914, defending the conduct of revolutionaries Khudiram Bose and Prafulla Chaki. Mr. Kingsford, the District Judge, was assassinated by Khudiram Bose and Prafulla Chaki, who threw bombs at the carriage in which he was going to travel.
Newspapers: Weeklies Kesari (Marathi) and Mahratta (English)
Books: Gita Rhasya and The Arctic Home of the Vedas
Death: He died on August 1, 1920.
Relevance in Modern Society
Tilak’s concept of nationalism in the country and unity inspires many to this date. Festivals like Ganesh Utsav and Shivaji Jayanti are celebrated with great importance even today in Maharashtra. His book, Gita Rahasya, gives us the insight to fight against any form of equality prevalent in society.
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