Why in NEWS
The birth anniversary of Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak was observed on 23rd July 2025.
Key Terms and Concepts
| Term | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Swarajya | Self-rule or complete independence from British rule, championed by Tilak. |
| Extremists vs Moderates | Two ideological factions in the Indian National Congress; Extremists like Tilak demanded immediate self-rule. |
| Deccan Education Society | Founded in 1884 to promote education and national awakening. |
| Surat Split (1907) | Division in INC between Extremists (Tilak, Lajpat Rai) and Moderates (Gokhale). |
About Bal Gangadhar Tilak
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Birth | 23rd July 1856, Ratnagiri, Maharashtra |
| Nickname | Lokmanya (“Accepted by the people as a leader”) |
| Title | “Father of Indian Unrest” – by British writer Valentine Chirol |
| Role in Nationalism | Demanded Purna Swaraj before Gandhi; emphasized assertive nationalism |
| Lal-Bal-Pal | Trio with Lala Lajpat Rai and Bipin Chandra Pal advocating aggressive nationalist methods |
| Newspapers | Kesari (Marathi), Mahratta (English) to mobilize public opinion |
| Educational Contribution | Co-founded Deccan Education Society and Fergusson College, Pune |
| Books | Gita Rahasya, The Orion, Arctic Home in the Vedas |
In a nutshell
Mnemonic: “𝐋𝐀𝐋-𝐁𝐀𝐋-𝐏𝐀𝐋 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐓 𝐊𝐄𝐒𝐀𝐑𝐈 𝐁𝐋𝐎𝐖”
Lal-Bal-Pal (extremist trio),
Deccan Education Society,
Kesari paper,
Blow to British with Swarajya call.
Prelims Questions
- Which among the following newspapers was not associated with Bal Gangadhar Tilak?
A) Kesari
B) Mahratta
C) Young India
D) The Orion - The Surat Split of 1907 led to a division in the Indian National Congress between:
A) Congress and Muslim League
B) Extremists and Moderates
C) Radicals and Communists
D) Liberals and Conservatives - Match the following:
A. Bal Gangadhar Tilak – 1. Gita Rahasya
B. Bipin Chandra Pal – 2. Punjab Kesari
C. Lala Lajpat Rai – 3. New India
Select the correct pair:
A) A-1, B-3, C-2
B) A-3, B-2, C-1
C) A-1, B-2, C-3
D) A-2, B-3, C-1
Prelims Answer Key
| Ques | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | Young India was associated with Mahatma Gandhi, not Tilak. |
| 2 | B | The Surat Split divided the Congress into Extremists and Moderates. |
| 3 | A | Tilak – Gita Rahasya, Bipin – New India, Lala Lajpat Rai – Punjab Kesari. |
