Bal Gangadhar Tilak

Lokmanya
Bal Gangadhar Tilak
Bal Gangadhar Tilak, c. 1900
Born
Keshav Gangadhar Tilak

(1856-07-23)23 July 1856
Died1 August 1920(1920-08-01) (aged 64)
Bombay, Bombay Presidency, British India
(present-day Mumbai, Maharashtra, India)
Other namesThe Father of the Indian Unrest
The Maker of Modern India
Lokmanya
OccupationsAuthor, politician, freedom fighter
Political partyIndian National Congress
MovementIndian Independence movement
Indian Home Rule movement
SpouseSatyabhamabai Tilak
Children3
Signature

Bal Gangadhar Tilak (Marathi: बाळ गंगाधर टिळक pronunciation; born Keshav Gangadhar Tilak (pronunciation: [keʃəʋ ɡəŋɡaːd̪ʱəɾ ʈiɭək]); 23 July 1856 – 1 August 1920), was an Indian nationalist and self-rule activist in the Indian independence movement. He was one third of the Lal Bal Pal triumvirate. The honorific "Lokmanya" (meaning "accepted by the people as their leader") was applied to him by his supporters.

Tilak was one of the first and strongest advocates of Swaraj ('self-rule') and is known for his quote in Marathi: "Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it!". He formed a close alliance with the leaders of the "New Party" (Nationalists), joining forces with Bipin Chandra Pal, Lala Lajpat Rai, and Aurobindo Ghose to advocate for self-rule. He also worked with V. O. Chidambaram Pillai and Muhammad Ali Jinnah who later oversaw Pakistan's independence from British rule.