BAL GANGADHAR TILAK
Technical Data
| Date of Issue | March 1, 2016 |
|---|---|
| Denomination | Rs. 1 |
| Perforation | 13 |
| Watermark | Asokan Capital Multiple [Up] |
| Colors | Dark grey |
| Catalog Codes |
Michel IN 2922 Stamp Number IN 2792 Yvert et Tellier IN 2669 Stanley Gibbons IN 3066 |
| Themes | Famous people | Headgear | Independency Activists | Men | Politicians | Teachers |
Architect of Swaraj and Pioneer of India’s Freedom Struggle
Bal Gangadhar Tilak was one of the most influential leaders of India’s freedom movement. For over twenty-five years, he remained the idol of the masses, the guiding force of his followers, and a formidable challenge to British rule. Born in 1856, just a year before the Great Revolt of 1857, Tilak emerged as one of the earliest and most determined pioneers of India’s struggle for independence.
Early Life and Commitment to Public Service
After completing his studies in 1879, Bal Gangadhar Tilak chose not to pursue a secure government job. Instead, he dedicated himself to public service and national awakening.
He founded two influential newspapers—Kesari (in Marathi) and The Mahratta—which became powerful platforms for nationalist thought. Through his bold and fearless journalism, Tilak transformed Marathi into a sharp and persuasive medium of political expression. His writings were known for their clarity, courage, and uncompromising patriotism.
Tilak soon became the focal point of national resistance in Western India. His powerful speeches and writings deeply unsettled the British Government. Surendranath Banerjee aptly described him as “India’s Man of Sorrows,” reflecting the hardships and sacrifices he endured for the nation.
Imprisonment and Scholarship
In 1897, Tilak was tried for sedition and sentenced to eighteen months of imprisonment. His scholarship, however, had earned him international respect. Eminent orientalists such as Max Muller and Albrecht Weber campaigned for his release, recognizing his profound research on the Vedas.
Tilak authored significant works including Orion and The Arctic Home in the Vedas, which reflected his deep engagement with ancient Indian texts.
In 1908, he was again arrested and sentenced to six years of transportation to Mandalay in Burma (now Myanmar). Even in confinement, his intellectual energy remained undiminished. During his imprisonment, he wrote his masterpiece, Gita Rahasya, a profound interpretation of the Bhagavad Gita that remains a landmark in Indian philosophical literature.
The Home Rule Movement and the Call for Swaraj
Upon his release, Bal Gangadhar Tilak rejoined the freedom struggle with renewed determination. He collaborated with Annie Besant to launch the Home Rule Movement, demanding self-governance for India.
It was during this period that Tilak gave India one of its most powerful slogans:
“Swaraj is my birth-right and I will have it.”
This declaration ignited nationalist sentiments across the country and strengthened the demand for independence.
Legacy and Philatelic Tribute
Bal Gangadhar Tilak dominated the political landscape of his time like a colossus—commanding devotion from his countrymen and inspiring awe among his opponents. He devoted his entire life to India’s freedom and continued his service until his death in 1920. India Post issued a definitive stamp honoring Bal Gangadhar Tilak.