Bal Gangadhar Tilak

Bal Gangadhar Tilak (23 July 1856 - 1 August 1920) born as Keshav Gangadhar Tilak. He was an Indian nationalist, journalist, teacher, social reformer, lawyer and an independence activist. He was the first leader of the Indian Independence Movement. The British colonial authorities called him “Father of the Indian unrest.” He was also conferred with the honorary title of “Lokmanya”, which literally means “accepted by the people as their leader”. Tilak was one of the first and strongest advocates of “Swaraj” (self-rule) and a strong radical in Indian consciousness.

He is known for his quote in Marathi, “स्वराज्य हा माझा जन्मसिद्ध हक्क आहे आणि ते मी मिळवणारच” (“Swarajya is my birthright and I shall have it!”) in India. Tilak being a strong vocal advocate of Swaraj, did not see eye to eye with Mahatma Gandhi on the means of achieving independence. He was against Gandhi’s policy of Total-ahimsa and advocated to use force wherever necessary.