One of the stalwarts of India's freedom movement, Bal Gangadhar Tilak also known as Lokmanya Tilak was born in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra on July 23, 1856. He is known for his famous quote " Self Rule is our birthright, and We shall have it! " He was reverently addressed as Lokmanya (or "Beloved of the people" or "Revered by the world").
After completing his graduation, Tilak began teaching in a private school in Pune and went on to become a journalist. He was very vocal in his criticism of the Western education system and set up the Deccan Education Society to educate India's youth. Tilak founded the Marathi daily Kesari (Lion), in the pages of which he actively propagated the cause of freedom. He joined the Indian National Congress. He was known for his hardcore Hindu views. In 1907, the Congress Party split into the two factions.
The British authorities charged Tilak with sedition and he was imprisoned from 1908 to 1914 in Mandalay, Burma. He re-joined the Indian National Congress in 1916 and helped to found the All India Home Rule League in 1916-18 . Tilak was not in favour of Mahatma Gandhi strategy of non-violent protest. He wrote many books on Indian culture, history and Hinduism like The Orion or Researches into the antiquities of the Vedas (1893), Arctic Home in the Vedas, Geetarahasya and others. He passed away on August 1, 1920
| Born | July 23, 1856. |
| Religion | Hindu |
| Place of Birth | Ratnagiri, Maharashtra |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Father | Gangadhar Tilak |
| Died | 1 August 1920 (aged 64), Mumbai, British India |
| Spouse Name | Satyabhamabai, Tapibai (a women belonging to Bal family) |
| Education | Deccan College, Pune and LL.B degree from Government Law College of University of Mumbai.[3] Despite two attempts he did not succeed in qualifying in his M. A. |
| Known for contribution as | Lokmanya Tilak |
| Political Career | Indian National Congress |
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