Lokmanya Tilak Life

The Political Career of Lokmanya Tilak

The political career of Lokmanya Tilak is an interesting one. His writings on Hinduism and his campaign against colonial rule have garnered a lot of attention. He also had several personal conflicts, including a bitter affair with his wife. Nevertheless, his enduring popularity and influence is still highly regarded today. This article explores these conflicts and other aspects of his life.

Lokmanya Tilak's Political Activism

Lokmanya Tilak was an Indian nationalist who fought against the British rule and sought to free India from colonial power. He is widely considered to be the most important political figure in India, even before Gandhi. Tilak's political activism was both radical and conservative, and his views influenced other leaders. British author Sir Valentine Chirol dubbed him the "father of Indian unrest."

Tilak's political activism was largely motivated by his experiences as a prisoner of war. In 1896, the bubonic plague broke out in Pune, and the British authorities used severe measures to contain the outbreak. The British ordered police to enter private residences, violate personal sanctity, and burn personal possessions. Many Indians were displaced, and Tilak's articles and pamphlets criticized the British efforts. An article Tilak wrote inspired the Chapekar brothers to kill the British commissioner. Tilak was arrested and imprisoned for 18 months.

His Writings on Hinduism

In 1873, Lokmanya Tilak passed his Matric examination and was admitted to the Deccan College in Pune. After studying at the college, he passed his graduation (B.A.) examination. Tilak's writings on Hinduism were influential, both among Hindu nationalists and European far-right groups. Here are some of his most popular pieces:

Tilak was born in Bombay and later raised in a village along the Arabian Sea coast. His father, a grammarian, took a job in Poona, where he studied mathematics and Sanskrit. He also studied law at the university, earning his bachelor's degree in 1879. While pursuing his graduate studies, he taught mathematics at a local college in Poona, and this taught him the language and philosophy that would later be useful for his political career.

His Campaign Against Colonial Rule

The campaign against British rule in India was a key element in the independence movement. Tilak was a nationalist and opposed the social reforms of his day, but saw an opportunity to rally the masses under a cultural banner. He did so despite British prohibitions against political gatherings. As a result, the British were forced to draft the Montagu Declaration, the basis of the Bengal partition movement.

Tilak had an intense vision for India and sought to end the colonial rule. He wanted Indians to run the government and had an administration that represented the people. The campaign was a successful one, but it faced opposition. Tilak argued for an independent government composed of Indian Brahmins and Muslims. He also argued for a democratic government, in which Indian voters would vote out the British and return to their homeland.

His Home-Rule Movement

The Lokmanya Tilak's home-rule movement was an attempt to end British rule in India. Tilak had established the home-rule movement in 1916, and proposed that the congress form a cohesive working committee. He hoped that the common people were fed up with government dacoity, and were willing to join any movement that would free them. The first meeting of the Home Rule League took place in Belgaum, and the movement quickly gained momentum.

Tilak's Home Rule League was founded in April 1916, and was joined by Annie Besant, Joseph Baptista, and N.C. Kelkar. They formed the League with three demands: self-rule, linguistic provinces, and education in vernacular languages. This league also included prominent workers, including Annie Besant, C. P. Ramaswami Iyer, and B.P. Wadia.