Lokmanya Tilak – The Symbol Of Extremism

Balagangadhara Tilak – The Symbol of Extremism 

Lokmanya Tilak was born in 1856; his father, Shri Gangadhar Tilak and his Mother, Parvathibai Gangadhar and well known as the Indian Nationalist. During the early 20th century, the freedom movement was filled with most Extremists. Among them, Tilak was the first one whose thoughts were filled with extremism and who worked against the British with Extremist activities. He is also called the Father of Hindu Nationalism. Gangadhar maintained close relations with the mass and was the first nationalist leader who maintained close ties with the groups.

Lokmanya Tilak Early Life

Bal Gangadhar Tilak was born in a Maratha Brahmin family. He was one of the first generations in India who completed his college education. In 1879 he started his career as a private school teacher in Pune and later became a journalist. During the teaching period, he set up the Deccan Education Society due to his criticism of the Western education system. In their leisure periods, he participated in radical politics. In January 1890, he founded Poona New English School and had very knowledge of astronomy and Hinduism. Lokmanya had a profound understanding of Sanskrit and Mathematics subjects.

Bal Gangadhar Tilak Political Career:

In 1880 he decided to join in the national movement against British rule. For nearly ten years, he learned about political views and world outlook. He changed his attitude after learning about the political views and World Outlook. In the meantime, he started two weekly newspapers, the Mahratta and Kesari, to enlighten the youth with his thoughts on society. In 1890 he withdrew from the Deccan Education Society due to some differences with the principal of the college and joined In Indian National Congress.

Up to 1897, society occurred with many political variations. There were many differences between the ideas of Moderate Nationalists and Tilak. Later in 1895, sudden breaking asunder in the Deccan political society, and the Maharashtra Nationalists Radical wing formed. Due to the following reasons, Tilak was arrested and sentenced to eighteen months imprisonment. In later years, he became the symbol of the new age and the chief leader of the Democratic wing of the whole of India.

The career in Indian National Congress:

Lokmanya Tilak demanded self-government or Swaraj. His efforts made the British introduce the marriageable age of a child bride from 10 to 12. This was the first significant reform introduced by the British 1857 rebellion. During that period, Tilak’s activities turned into ‘Interference with Hindu Religion. Since then, he has been considered a strong Hindu nationalist. In 1908 he was arrested and sent to Mandalay, Burma, for imprisonment for six years. Again in 1916, he joined in National Congress and supported the Home Rule movement.

Lokmanya Tilak Impact on Hindu Festivals:

He wanted to bring unity among the Indians and introduced the Ganapati festival celebrations and Shivaji festival. Tilak intended these two festivals to inculcate the spirit of nationalism among the youth. Gangadhar was not only an extremist but also a social reformer. Due to his efforts, the minimum age for marriage increased. He suggested his co-leaders write Hindi in Devanagari script and later accept the national language of India. Bal Gangadhar Tilak’s books were ‘Geeta Rahasya’ and ‘The Arctic Home of the Vedas. He was not only a freedom fighter but also a talented writer. Still, he seated in the hearts of every Indian people.