Lokmanya Tilak: The Father of Indian Unrest | Revolutionary Visionary for UPSC Preparation

Lokmanya Tilak

“Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it.” – Lokmanya Tilak

Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, one of India’s greatest freedom fighters, was a fearless nationalist, a fiery orator, and a visionary reformer whose contributions continue to inspire generations. For UPSC aspirants, understanding Tilak’s ideology, political role, and relevance is crucial for both Prelims and Mains.

Lokmanya Tilak : Key Points

• Birth: He was born on 23^rd July 1856 in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra.
  • Freedom fighter and lawyer, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, is also known as Lokmanya Tilak.
• Educationist:
  • Founder of the Deccan Education Society (1884) along with his associate Gopal Ganesh Agarkar and others.
  • One of the founders of the Fergusson College (1885) in Pune through the Deccan Education Society.
• Ideology:
  • He was a devout Hindu and used Hindu scriptures to rouse people to fight oppression.
  • Stressed on 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!”
    • A book ‘Indian Unrest’ written by Valentine Chirol, an English journalist, stated Tilak the ‘father of Indian unrest’.
  • Emphasised the importance of a cultural and religious revival to go with the political movements.
    • Popularised the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in the Maharashtra region.
    • Propounded the celebration of Shiv Jayanti on the birth anniversary of the monarch Chhatrapati Shivaji.
• Political Life: He was one of the earliest and the most vocal proponents of complete independence or swarajya (self-rule).
  • Along with Lala Lajpat Rai and Bipin Chandra Pal, he was part of the Lal-Bal-Pal trio of leaders with extremist outlooks.
  • Joined the Indian National Congress (INC) in 1890.
• Surat Split: It was the splitting of the INC into two groups – the Extremists and the Moderates – at the Surat session in 1907.
  • Reason: The extremists wanted either Tilak or Lajpat Rai to be president, so when Rasbehari Ghose was announced as president, the extremist resorted to violence. Hence Surat Split happened.
  • While extremists wanted to end the tyranny rule of British through protest, Moderates were aimed at administrative and constitutional reforms.
  • The Extremist camp was led by Lal Bal and Pal and the moderate camp was led by Gopal Krishna Gokhle.
• Contribution to Freedom Movement:
  • Propagated swadeshi movements and encouraged people to boycott foreign goods.
  • Indian Home Rule Movement:
    • It was a movement in British India on the lines of Irish Home Rule movement.
    • Started in 1916, it is believed to have set the stage for the independence movement under the leadership of Annie Besant and Bal Gangadhar Tilak for the educated English speaking upper class Indians.
  • 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.
  • Lucknow Pact (1916): Between the INC headed by Tilak and All-India Muslim League led by Muhammad Ali Jinnah for hindu-muslim unity in nationalist struggle.
• Jail: Between 1908 and 1914, he spent 6 years in Mandalay Prison for defending the actions of revolutionaries Khudiram Bose and Prafulla Chaki.
  • Khudiram Bose and Prafulla Chaki had tried to assassinate the District Judge, Mr. Kingsford by throwing bombs at the carriage in which he was supposed to travel.
• Newspapers: Weeklies Kesari (Marathi) and Mahratta (English)
• Books: Gita Rhasya and Arctic Home of the Vedas.
• Death: He died on 1^st August 1920.

Early Life and Education

• Born: 23 July 1856, Ratnagiri, Maharashtra
• Education: B.A. in Mathematics | LL.B from Government Law College, Bombay
• Profession: Teacher, Lawyer, Journalist

Tilak was a scholar of Sanskrit and Mathematics. His deep-rooted cultural nationalism emerged early on and influenced his activism.

️ Role in National Awakening

️ Journalist and Social Reformer:

• Founded newspapers Kesari (Marathi) and The Mahratta (English) to awaken national consciousness.
• Used the press as a weapon against British oppression.

Cultural Nationalism:

• Revived Ganesh Utsav and Shivaji Jayanti to unite people and promote patriotism.

Political Ideology and Leadership

Tilak believed in direct action rather than petitions. He led the extremist faction of the Indian National Congress.

Moderate vs Extremist Divide (1907 Surat Session):

• Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, and Bipin Chandra Pal (Lal-Bal-Pal) represented the extremist wing.
• Advocated for Swaraj, Boycott, and National Education.

Home Rule Movement (1916):

• Launched the Home Rule League along with Annie Besant.
• Popularized the slogan “Swaraj is my birthright.”

️ Trial and Imprisonment

• Charged with sedition for his writings; jailed in Mandlay, Burma (1908–1914).
• Wrote ‘Gita Rahasya’ in prison, interpreting Bhagavad Gita as a call for Karmayoga (selfless action).

Legacy and Relevance for UPSC

Tilak in UPSC Prelims:

• Questions on his role in INC, Home Rule Movement, Kesari, etc.

📌 Tilak in UPSC Mains:

• GS Paper I: Role of Tilak in the national movement
• Essay Paper: Themes like Revolutionary Nationalism, Cultural Awakening

Power Keywords for UPSC Revision

• Father of Indian Unrest
• Cultural Nationalism
• Home Rule Movement
• Gita Rahasya
• Lal-Bal-Pal
• Extremist vs Moderate
• Swaraj

Tilak’s Enduring Message

Lokmanya Tilak passed away on 1 August 1920, but his fight for freedom, dignity, and pride in Indian culture continues to motivate aspirants across the country. His vision of self-rule and cultural resurgence is essential for understanding the foundation of India’s freedom struggle.

️ Conclusion

Tilak wasn’t just a political leader—he was a civilizational force. For UPSC aspirants, studying Lokmanya Tilak is not optional—it’s essential. His life teaches us to be bold, informed, and committed to national causes.

Suggested UPSC Mains Question:

“Lokmanya Tilak was the first nationalist leader who understood the real nature of British rule and advocated Swaraj as a national goal.” Discuss.

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