Question

Study the picture given here and answer the following questions:

1. Name the leader. State any three of his political beliefs.
2. State the means he employed to arouse nationalistic passions.
3. In what ways was he the forerunner of Gandhiji?

Answer 1

1. Tilak believed that political rights could only be achieved by strongly demanding them. His entry into Indian politics marked a shift from making petitions to actively demanding political rights. He was the first leader to closely connect with the masses. To build courage, self-defence, and patriotism, he organised many akharas and lathi clubs where physical training was given.
2. In 1893, Tilak began using the Ganapati festival to spread nationalist ideas through songs and speeches. In 1895, he started the Shivaji festival to inspire young Maharashtrians by glorifying Chhatrapati Shivaji. He also started two newspapers, Mahratta (in English) and Kesari (in Marathi), which became the voices for his ideas. Through these newspapers, he promoted nationalism and encouraged people to be brave and self-reliant. He wrote two famous books: Gita Rahasya and The Arctic Home of the Vedas.
3. Tilak was a forerunner of Mahatma Gandhi in several ways. First, Tilak's idea of Swaraj was similar to Gandhi's idea of complete independence. Second, like Gandhi, Tilak sought to closely connect with the masses. Third, Tilak promoted the ideas of Swadeshi and Boycott, which Gandhi later followed. Fourth, Tilak endured many terms of imprisonment for the country, setting an example followed by Gandhi and other leaders.