Bal Gangadhar Tilak

July 23 1856 - August 1, 1920 Bal Gangadhar Tilak, born on July 23 1856,was one of the earliest architect of the edifice of nationalist movement in India . He received formal and collage education mainly in Poona . He passed B.A. in first class and it was during this time he was highly influenced by western  thinkers like Hegel, Kant, Spencer, Mill and Bentham. The studies made him realise the state in which his motherland existed under British Rule. After graduation he spurned the Government service and devoted his time in national awakening. He joined fellow activists like Agarkar, Chiplunkar and Namjoshi to set up New English School . He joined the Indian National Congress, which acquired a new dimension because of his stature. He opposed the 'Age of Consent Bill' strongly In 1896, Bombay was hit by a deadly Plague. Tilak, who edited the newspapers, 'Kesari' and 'Marattha', hit back strongly at the administrative system charging them of taking inadequate measures and ignoring responsibilities. The British lawmakers didn't find it amusing and he was jailed for 18 months. In1907, he formed a radicalist faction inside the Congress and started the Home-Rule League along with an Irish lady, Ms. Annie Besant. Though a conservatist towards social reforms, he was a pioneer to foresee that mass support was needed to make his motherland free from imperialistic clutches. A champion of the downtrodden people, Tilak was given the sobriquet 'Lokmanya'. He also authored books such as 'Geeta Rahasy' and 'Arctic Home of Vedas'. Bal Gangadhar Tilak (29th Couplet) Described by British as "The Father of Indian Unrest " His slogan, "Swaraj (Self Rule) is my birthright", inspired millions of Indians. In order to bring the Maratha people together on the same platform, he started the celebration of Shivaji Festival. In 1908 he aimed at militant mass movement and expressed his views on Swarajya at the Calcutta session of I.N.C. In the same year he was arrested for conspiring against the Queen when he raised his voice against the partition of Bengal . He was jailed for 6 years. When the 'Indian Reforms Act' was introduced in 1919, he rejected it describing it as inadequate, disappointing and unsatisfactory. He launched the Congress Democratic Party in 1920 but before he could take up the action, he suddenly died on 1st August, 1920 leaving behind millions of mourners.