On 23rd July, India commemorated the birth of freedom fighter and educationist Bal Gangadhar Tilak. Known as Lokmanya Tilak, he was born on 23rd July 1856 in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra. His significant contributions towards India’s historical, political, and educational landscape mark him as a pivotal figure in Indian history.
Contribution to Education
Tilak is revered not only as a freedom fighter but also as an educationist. He, along with his associate Gopal Ganesh Agarkar, founded the Deccan Education Society in 1884. A year later, they established the Fergusson College in Pune through the Deccan Education Society.
Religious and Cultural Ideology
As a devout Hindu, Tilak used scriptures to inspire people to resist oppression. He popularised the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in the Maharashtra region. Moreover, he propagated the celebration of Shiv Jayanti on the birth anniversary of monarch Chhatrapati Shivaji. Tilak emphasized a cultural and religious revival alongside political movements.
Slogan and Belief
Tilak’s belief that no progress was possible without self-rule led him to coin the slogan, “Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it!” Valentine Chirol, an English journalist, referred to Tilak as the ‘father of Indian unrest’ in his book ‘Indian Unrest’.
Political Involvement
Tilak was one of the earliest proponents of complete independence or swarajya (self-rule). He joined the Indian National Congress (INC) in 1890. Tilak, along with Lala Lajpat Rai and Bipin Chandra Pal, formed the influential Lal-Bal-Pal trio of leaders advocating for extremist ideologies.
The Surat Split
The INC split into two groups – the Extremists and the Moderates – at the Surat session in 1907. This came about when Rasbehari Ghose was announced as president, despite the extremists’ desire for either Tilak or Lajpat Rai to hold the position, leading to violence and the subsequent split.
Contribution to Freedom Movement
Tilak actively propagated swadeshi movements and encouraged people to boycott foreign goods. His advocacy played a critical role in intensifying the Indian freedom movement.
The Home Rule Movement
The Indian Home Rule Movement, which started in 1916, took inspiration from the Irish Home Rule movement. Under the leadership of Annie Besant and Bal Gangadhar Tilak, it aimed to galvanize the educated English-speaking upper-class Indians towards the cause of independence.
All India Home Rule League
Tilak founded the All India Home Rule League in April 1916 at Belgaum. It sought to further the cause of self-rule through its work in Maharashtra (except Bombay), the Central Provinces, Karnataka, and Berar.
Lucknow Pact
The Lucknow Pact of 1916 marked a significant agreement between the INC, led by Tilak, and the All-India Muslim League, led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The pact aimed at fostering Hindu-Muslim unity in the nationalist struggle.
Imprisonment
Tilak spent six years in Mandalay Prison between 1908 and 1914 for defending the actions of revolutionaries Khudiram Bose and Prafulla Chaki. The duo had attempted to assassinate District Judge Mr. Kingsford via a bombing attempt.
Literary Contributions
Tilak made substantial contributions to literature through his weeklies, Kesari (in Marathi) and Mahratta (in English). Additionally, he authored the books Gita Rhasya and Arctic Home of the Vedas.
The revered freedom fighter and educationist passed away on 1st August 1920. His momentous contributions to India’s struggle for independence and his pioneering role in education continue to be celebrated.