Essays

Bal Gangadhar Tilak was described by British as 'The Father of Indian Unrest' Tilak was born on 23.0 7.1856. His slogan, "Swaraj (Self-Rule) is my birthright", inspired and mobilised millions of Indians. The book "Geeta rahasya"a classic treatise on Geeta in Marathi was written by him, in prison at Mandalay. Great journalist- editor, an authority on Vedas, Sanskrit Scholar, mathematician and a natural leader of India."

Tilak was born in Ratnagiri, a small coastal town on July 23,1856 in amid,::class family. Tilak had to fend himself f for college education. At an early age he convinced that the educational system the British provided for the Indians was no tat .. All adequate. He passed B.A- in first class. After graduation and a law degree, he I helped to found a school which laid emphasis on nationalism. The studies made him realise the state in which his motherland existed under British Rule. He started a newspaper 'Kesar which tried to teach Indians of their glorious past and reminded them to be self-reliant (Swadeshi).

The British was using all the native raw materials to run their factories in England and selling the finished products to India, keeping the India an ever dependant, underdeveloped country. In the process all the industries of India i,.,. spinning, weaving, glass making, sugar, dyeing, paper making were getting destroyed. People became destitute for no fault of theirs to help an empire become richer and stronger.

He tried to breathe life into the moribund nation through four mantras:

(1) Boycott of foreign goods.

(2) National Education.

(3) Self-Government.

(4) Swadeshi or self-reliance. He realized that mere protest against British rule would not help anymore and insisted on native production and self-reliance. “We have no arms, but there is no necessity. But our strong political weapon is boycott (of foreign goods). Organize your powers and then go to work so that they cannot refuse you what you demand", he told the masses.

British smelled treason in these words. He founded Deccan Education Society to give better education as per the country's needs. He wrote scathing articles over inhuman punishment meted out to the nationalist youth who protested the division of Bengal (Vanga Bhanga). Indian newspapers were not to criticize the British policy in those days and two articles titled "Has the Government lost its head ?" and "To Rule is not to wreak vengeance" appearing in Kesari landed him in jail, after a namesake trial. The British lawmakers didn't find it amusing and he was jailed for months. In 1907, he formed a radicalism faction inside the Congress and started the Home-Rule League along with an Irish lady. Ms. Annie Besant. Though conservatism towards social reforms he was a pioneer to foresee that mass support was needed to make his motherland free from imperialistic clutches. For the first time in British history, intellectuals in England (including the great oriental’s. Max Muller) were able to convince the Government that the trial was unfair. But the second time (190S) was no different. Tilak advocated his own case and when the judgment of six years of black-waters (Kalpana) imprisonment was pronounced, he gave the famous statement.

 All I wish to say is that in spite of the verdict of the jury, I maintain my innocence. There are higher powers that rule the destiny of met and nations. It may be the will of Providence time the cause I represent may prosper by suffering than by remaining free" 

In order to bring the Maratha people together on the same platform, he started the celebration of Shivaji Festival. When the 'Indian Re forms Act' was introduced in  1919, he rejected it describing it as inadequate, disappointing and unsatisfactory.

When he was 52, a diabetic and ailing person he wrote his famous commentary on Bhagavad-Gita. the sacred book of Hindus. He stressed that Gita taught action (karma), nothing but action. Religion or spiritual message were secondary and the need of the hour was to arise and fight. This was Lord Krishna's message to Arjuna. Tilak's wife, his companion of 45 years, died at Pune and the news reached him in Madalay prison Burma only after a week. He had sacrificed his personal life, his profession, name and fame for the sake of the country.

By the time Tilak competed his six year prison term, he became the unquestioned leader of the Indians - the uncrowned king. He was known as the Tilak Maharaj. There was unprecedented jubilation after Tilak was tree and back in India. Civil resistance, the concept of Swaraj and nationalism had taken deep roots. Tilak's suffering did not go in vain. A band of leaders, full of zeal for nationalism and self-sacrifice was coming up. National schools were coming up in all comers of India. He paved the way for Khadi (hand woven cloth), picketing against foreign goods and alcoholism. His death In 1920 brought Mahatma Gandhi on the scene and Gandhiji gave a concrete shape to Tilak's ideas of Swadeshi. He also authored books such as 'Geeta Rahasya" and “Arctic Home of Vedas".

He launched the Congress Democratic Party in 1920 but before he could take up the action he suddenly died on 1st August leaving behind millions of mourners. A champion of the downtrodden people, Tilak was given the sobriquet "Lokmanya".

Vocabulary

1. treatise—a formal exposition, written material. 2. moribund—expiring, stagnant, 3- criticize —criticize, pick apart. 4. radically—in a radical manner. 5. imperialistic-- of or relating to imperialism, imperialist. 6. imprisonment—captivity, putting someone in prison or in Jail as lawful punishment.7. pronounced—articulated, speak, pronounce. | or utter in a certain way, pronounce judgment on. 8. mat/equate—i sufficient to meet a need, poor. 9. diabetic—diseased person, sufferer. 10. spiritual—apparitional, a kind of religious song originated by blacks in the southern US. H. companion—accompany, a person who is frequently in the company of another. 12. jubilation—exultation, a feeling of extreme joy. 13. sobriquet—a familiar name (often a shortened version of a person's given name), cognomen. 14. wealthy—affluent, loaded. 15. prominent— having a quality that thrusts itself into attention, conspicuous in position or importance. 16. rituals—any customary observance or practice, stereotyped behaviour.