Indian Political Thought: Themes and Thinkers | Third Edition | By Pearson

16

Tilak’s Nationalism and Swaraj

—Shri Prakash Singh

Bal Gangadhar Tilak (1856–1920), the ‘Lokmanya’, the Extremist and the Home Rule Leaguer has been interpreted differently by his contemporaries and successors at different stages of history. Engaged in the anti-colonial movement and in social reforms, he was the only mass leader in the pre-Gandhi era of Indian politics who effectively mobilized the masses. His technique of mass mobilization was so effective that Gandhi adopted it with partial modification. His political stature was such that the Moderates, the Gandhians, the social reformers, the Dalits, the Communists and the Colonial Administrators looked at him with awe despite serious political differences with him.

His work began with ...