Bal Gangadhar Tilak: Freedom Fighter and Reformer

1. Advocate of Swaraj

• Bal Gangadhar Tilak was a prominent freedom fighter and one of the key architects of modern India, known for his strong advocacy of Swaraj, or self-rule.

2. Champion of Women's Education and Empowerment

• Throughout his life, Tilak emphasized the importance of women's education and empowerment.

3. Introduction of Celebratory Festivals

• To foster a sense of unity, he introduced festivals like 'Ganesh Chaturthi' and 'Shivaji Jayanti,' which have become significant cultural celebrations, especially Ganesh Chaturthi among the Marathi community.

4. Pioneering Newspapers for National Awareness

• Tilak launched two newspapers, 'Mahratta' in English and 'Kesari' in Marathi. These newspapers aimed to raise awareness about India's glorious past and empower Indians for self-reliance.
• The newspapers actively supported the cause of national freedom.

5. Association with Indian National Congress

• Bal Gangadhar Tilak joined the Indian National Congress Party in 1890.

6. Stand Against Moderate Views

• Recognizing the limitations of constitutional agitation against the British, Tilak opposed the moderate views within the Indian National Congress. This put him at odds with prominent leaders like Gopal Krishna Gokhale.

7. Formation of Extremist Wing

• As a response to the differences within the Congress, Tilak formed the extremist wing of the party.
• He found support from fellow nationalists Bipin Chandra Pal in Bengal and Lala Lajpat Rai in Punjab. Together, they were known as the "Lal-Bal-Pal" trio.

8. Split Within Indian National Congress

• The divergence between moderate and extremist factions within the Indian National Congress led to a significant split during the 1907 session.

9. Imprisonment and Alleged Support for Revolutionaries

• From 1908 to 1914, Bal Gangadhar Tilak spent six years in rigorous imprisonment at Mandalay Jail, Burma. He was deported due to alleged support for Indian revolutionaries involved in attacks against British authorities.

10. Return to India and Reunion with Nationalists

• In 1915, Tilak returned to India amid the shifting political landscape, influenced by World War I.

11. Founding the All India Home Rule League

• In 1916, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, along with Joseph Baptista, Annie Besant, and Muhammad Ali Jinnah, founded the All India Home Rule League to further the cause of self-rule.

12. Passing Away

• Tilak's health deteriorated, and he passed away on August 1, 1920, leaving behind a legacy of unwavering commitment to India's independence struggle.