11. Bala Gangadhar Tilak

 

Bala Gangadhar Tilak was a pioneering leader in India’s freedom struggle. He was the first to boldly demand that Indians should govern themselves (Swarajya) and called for a determined struggle to achieve it. He inspired millions with his famous proclamation, “Self-rule is our birth right.”

Tilak was a mentor to Mahatma Gandhi and played a crucial role in preparing Gandhi to take over the leadership of the freedom movement after his returning to India from South Africa. Tilak’s contributions as a teacher, nationalist, lawyer, and social reformer were monumental. The British authorities recognized his pivotal role by calling him the Father of the Indian Independence Struggle. Born on July 23, 1856, Tilak passed away on August 1, 1920.

Below are some key events from his life:

1. First Meeting with Gandhiji

Tilak and Gandhi met for the first time in 1915. At the time, Tilak was already a veteran of the freedom movement and 13 years senior to Gandhi. Their mutual friends left them alone for a private conversation. After the meeting, Tilak remarked, “He is a man of very rare vision. He is in every way worthy of being our leader.”

Though the two often had differing opinions on various issues and did not hesitate to express them publicly, their mutual respect was exemplary.

2. Literary Writing in Jail

While imprisoned in Burma, Tilak wrote most of his famous book, The Secret of the Gita. Tragically, the British authorities destroyed his manuscript. Undeterred, Tilak rewrote the entire book from memory, showcasing his remarkable determination and intellect.

3. Prioritizing Physical Fitness

Tilak was deeply committed to physical fitness. After completing his school education, he dedicated nearly a year to improving his health and building physical strength.

He also had a strong sense of justice. One day at school, when classmates left peanut shells in the classroom, the teacher demanded to know who was responsible. No one admitted guilt, so the teacher began punishing everyone. When it was Tilak’s turn, he refused to extend his hand, declaring, “Why should I be punished for a mistake I did not commit?”

4. A Grand Reception for Tilak

At a regional Congress meeting, some young leaders proposed that Tilak should be given a grand reception and escorted to the venue in a procession. However, senior Congress leaders opposed the idea, claiming it was inappropriate to honour Tilak alone.

When Gandhi learned of this, he took matters into his own hands. He wrote a notice in his own handwriting, calling for people to gather and welcome Tilak. The notice read:

“It is a matter of pride for all of us to receive a great leader like Tilak. Therefore, I am going to the railway station to receive him. It is the duty of our people to respect him appropriately.”

This simple notice, signed by Gandhi, inspired thousands to gather at the railway station to give Tilak a grand and heartfelt welcome.

5. A Singular Focus on Self-Rule

Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Tilak is the only person alive in India who has dreamed of and worked for the self-rule of India day and night. No other person in the country has pursued this goal with such unwavering determination.”

6. Tilak’s Death and Gandhiji’s Grief

On August 1, 1920, Tilak’s health suddenly deteriorated. Despite the best efforts of prominent doctors in Bombay, he passed away.

Gandhi was deeply affected by Tilak’s death. According to Mahadev Desai, Gandhi spent hours sitting alone in silence by a dimly lit lamp after hearing the news. When Desai approached him late at night and urged him to rest for a while, Gandhi broke down and said:

“To whom should I seek advice in times of trouble? The great man who taught us that our need is nothing less than self-rule is no longer alive.”