Write the contribution of tilak in freedom struggle
Answers
CONTRIBUTIOn .
in Marathi and Mahratta in English (sometimes referred as 'Maratha' in Academic Study Books)[50] in 1880–81 with Gopal Ganesh Agarkar as the first editor. By this he was recognized as 'awakener of India', as Kesari later became a daily and continues publication to this day. The first issue of Kesari was published on 4 January 1881.
In 1894, Tilak transformed the household worshipping of Ganesha into a grand public event (Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav). The celebrations consisted of several days of processions, music and food. They were organized by the means of subscriptions by neighbourhood, caste, or occupation. Students often would celebrate Hindu and national glory and address political issues; including patronage of Swadeshi goods.[18]:152
In 1895, Tilak founded the Shri Shivaji Fund Committee for celebration of "Shiv Jayanti", the birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji, the founder of the Maratha Empire. The project also had the objective of funding the reconstruction of the tomb (Samadhi) of Shivaji at Raigad Fort. For this second objective, Tilak established the Shri Shivaji Raigad Smarak Mandal along with Senapati Khanderao Dabhade II of Talegaon Dabhade, who became the founder President of the Mandal.
The events like the Ganapati festival and Shiv Jayanti were used by Tilak to build a national spirit beyond the circle of educated elite in opposition to colonial rule. But it also exacerbated Hindu-Muslim differences. The festival organizers would urge Hindus to protect cows and boycott the Muharramcelebrations organized by Shi'a Muslims, in which Hindus had formerly often participated. Thus, although the celebrations were meant to be a way to oppose colonial rule, they also contributed to religious tensions.[18]:152However, Indian Historian, Uma Chakravarticites Professor Gordon Johnson and states "It is significant that even at the time when Tilak was making political use of Shivaji the question of conceding Kshatriya status to him as maratha was resisted by the conservative Brahmins including Tilak. While Shivaji was a Brave man, all his bravery, it was argued, did not give him the right to a status that very nearly approached that of a Brahmin. Further, the fact that Shivaji worshiped the Brahmmanas in no way altered social relations, 'since it was as a Shudra he did it – as a Shudra the servant, if not the slave, of the Brahmin'".[51]
The Deccan Education Society that Tilak founded with others in the 1880s still runs Institutions in Pune like the Fergusson College.
The Swadeshi movement started by Tilak at the beginning of the 20th century became part of the Independence movement until that goal was achieved in 1947. One can even say Swadeshi remained part of Indian Government policy until the 1990s when the Congress Government liberalised the economy.[52]
Tilak Smarak Ranga Mandir, a theatre auditorium in Pune is dedicated to him. In 2007, the Government of India released a coin to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Tilak.[53][54]
Tilak said, "I regard India as my Motherland and my Goddess, the people in India are my kith and kin, and loyal and steadfast work for their political and social emancipation is my highest religion and duty".[55]
Lokmanya: Ek Yug Purush is a film released on 2 January 2015 based on his life. Directed by Om Raut, Tilak is played by actor Subod
Tilak was born as Keshav Gangadhar Tilak in a Brahmin family
in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra. Due to his
leadership capabilities and contribution to the Indian freedom struggle, he was
later conferred the title of Lokmanya, which means “accepted by all people (as
their leader)”.
Tilak could in fact be said to be the first freedom fighter.
Due to his radical approach to the freedom struggle and encouragement of violent
means to achieve freedom, he was called by the British authorities as the “Father
of the Indian unrest”.
Possibly, Tilak’s greatest contribution to the freedom fight
was the unification of members in the Indian National Congress and rallying
them behind him. Of course, he was
always at loggerheads with the moderate faction of the Congress. He organized this trio called Lal-Bal-Pal,
comprising of Bipin Chandra Pal in Bengal, himself Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Lala
Lajpat Rai (famous as the Guru of the legendary Bhagat Singh) in Punjab.
Tilak is most famous for his quote on Swarajya (self-rule).
He said, “Swarajya is my birthright and I shall have it.”
Tilak was a staunch supporter of the Swadeshi and the Boycott movement.
The Boycott movement comprised of the boycott of foreign made goods as well as
the social boycott of any Indian who bought foreign goods.
During his entire life, Tilak was tried for sedition thrice. He
was imprisoned on charges of sedition and sent to Mandalay in Burma from 1908
to 1914. Once he emerged from jail, Tilak became more moderate in his views. He
realized that violence instead of furthering the cause of self-rule was
diminishing the pace of political reforms in India. As a result, Tilak re-joined
the Indian National Congress in 1916. He also helped found the All India Home
Rule League in 1916–18, with other notable freedom fighters such as
Muhammad Ali Jinnah (founder of the Muslim League) and Annie Besant.
Tilak also had another major contributor to the freedom
struggle. Gandhi, Father of the Nation, regarded Tilak as his guru. However, Tilak
could not convince him to give up Ahimsa in the fight for India’s freedom.