On the Jayanti of the person who ignited the spark of nationalism among countless Indians, let us have look at some quick facts about our beloved 'Lokamanya'
- Born as Keshav Gangadhar Tilak, on 23rd July 1856, also shares his birthday with another nationalist Chandrashekar Azad(1906).
- Gave the slogan - 'Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it', which aroused countless Indians for the national cause.
- First Congress leader to suggest that Hindi with Devanagari script should be accepted as the sole national language of India.
- Started 'Deccan Educational Society'(DES) in 1884 with Gopal Ganesh Agarkar, Mahadev Ballal Namjoshi, and Vishnushastri Chiplunkar.
- He established New English College in 1880 along with Vishnushastri Chiplunkar.
- DES started Ferguson College in 1885. DES still runs various educational institutions in Maharashtra.
- With an aim to unite the society he started Sravajanik Ganesh Chaturthi, Shivaji Jayanti etc.,
- He published a Marathi daily called "Kesari" and an English daily called "Maratha".
- Gandhi called him " Architect Of New India".
- British called him "Father Of Unrest".
- People called him "Lokmanya".
- He taught mathematics as Ferguson college.
- Despite his nationalist appeal, he supported some conservative ideas on caste and marriage.
- He was the part of Lal-Bal-Pal triumvirate.
- After Congress split in 1907, Lal Bal Pal led the radical faction.
- He wrote Gita Rahasyam during his prison time at Burma.
- He always said that Swaraj is important than the social reforms.
- After his release from prison in 1914, he strived for the reunification of Congress which happened in 1916.
- He started 'Home Rule Movement' along with Annie Besant and G.S.Kharpade.
- Tilak started his Home Rule League in Maharashtra, Central Provinces, and Karnataka and Berar region. Besant's League was active in the rest part of India.