Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak

Bal Gangadhar Tilak (1856-1920) was the first national leader of the Indian freedom movement who transcended provinces, communities, and languages to establish himself in the hearts of millions. Tilak was a fierce advocate of swarajya (self- rule) and his famous quote, 'Swarajya is my birthright, and I shall have it!' is well-remembered even today. Tilak's life touched millions. He was a warrior-hero and a scholar-philosopher, a man who lived a life of action with total selflessness in the pursuit of freedom for his motherland. He was a soul steady in reason, a sthithapradnya. As he stood, rock-solid and consistent amidst the ocean of turmoil, he earned the love and admiration of the people and came to be identified as Lokmanya, 'the admired one'. This book explores the multi-faceted personality of Bal Gangadhar Tilak-social reformer, scholar, and national leader-through the eyes of the people, convincingly portraying a man of the people and the people of his times.