India, our motherland for many decades had lived under foreign rule, endured indescribable atrocities. Once known as “sone ki chidiya” was stripped of her wealth and turned into a poor and struggling nation. Our history is written with blood. Blood of many Indians, in their fight for freedom.
Once a thriving nation, was stripped off everything due to invaders, be it the Mughals or the British. They came to India for trade and took over our nation. We Indians became slaves in our very own country. Today, ‘freedom’ is misused, the very freedom we got because of the sacrifices our fellow Indians, our ancestors made. They fought for freedom knowing they may not live to enjoy it, yet they smilingly laid down their life for their motherland and the future generations.
India was under the British rule for almost 200 years, from 1858 to 1947. And during those years, life for Indians was not easy. From starvation to jail without bail, from restrictions to massacres, unimaginable things have happened in India under the British rule.
Did we Indians, quietly live through those atrocities? No, we did not. Many heroes and martyrs, some known and some unknown have fought using pens as well guns to free the people of their beloved motherland, India.
One such hero is, Bal Gangadhar Tilak. He was born on the July 23, 1856 as Keshav Gangadhar Tilak in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra. Tilak, earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Deccan College, Pune, in the year 1877, and obtained in L.L.B degree in the year 1879 from Government Law College.
In 1890, Tilak became part of the Indian National Congress, though he did not agree with their moderate attitude. To awaken political consciousness among the people of India, he started two weekly newspapers; “Kesari” in Marathi and the “Mahratta” in English. He believed English should be learnt by the masses as it was a powerful tool for the spreading of liberal and democratic ideals. He involved in other activities like invoking of popular Hindu traditions.
Bal Gangadhar Tilak’s activities stirred the Indians to awaken and fight for their freedom. This brought him in conflict with the British Government, landing him in jail in the year 1897. The trial and sentencing of Tilak, earned him the title of “Lokmanya”, meaning beloved leader of the people. He wanted “Poorna Swarajya”, meaning complete Independence and not bit and pieces of reforms as suggested by the Congress Party. This led to a clash between him and the party and the party split into two. Again, Tilak was arrested and sentenced to six years imprisonment in Burma.
After his release he plunged himself into the politics and strongly worked towards Independence. His slogan, “Swarajya is my birth right and I shall have it”, rang through the country.
Tilak, was known to be foresighted. He travelled to England and built good relations with the leaders of the labour party there, which turned out to be a boon, as it was a Labour Government that granted India, its Independence in the year 1947, though Tilak did not live to witness it.
Tilak was called “the Maker of Modern India” by Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.