2007 - Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak | Commemorative Coin

The first commemorative coin for the year 2007 was released on occasion of 150th Birth Anniversary of Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak.

Bal Gangadhar Tilak (born Keshav Gangadhar Tilak) on 23 July 1856 – 1 August 1920, stood as a formidable figure in Indian history, embodying the roles of nationalist, teacher, social reformer, and key independence fighter. Recognized as the inaugural popular leader of the Indian Independence Movement, the British colonial authorities, in a derogatory manner, labeled him as the "Father of the Indian unrest." Bestowed with the honorary title of Lokmanya, meaning "Accepted by the people (as their leader)," Tilak was a pioneering advocate of "Swaraj" (self-rule) in the Indian consciousness. His resounding proclamation, "Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it!" resonates in India's collective memory.

A vocal critic of the Western education system, Tilak believed it diminished Indian students and disrespected India's rich heritage. To address this, he founded the Deccan Education Society alongside a group of college friends. The society aimed to elevate the quality of education for India's youth, focusing on instilling nationalist ideas through a renewed emphasis on Indian culture. Tilak initiated a mass movement towards independence, skillfully blending it with a religious and cultural revival.

In 1890, Tilak joined the Indian National Congress but found himself at odds with its moderate stance, particularly regarding the pursuit of self-government. As one of the foremost radicals of his time, he utilized his newspaper Kesari to publish provocative articles, drawing inspiration from the Hindu scripture, the Bhagavad Gita, to assert that no blame could be attributed to someone who killed an oppressor without seeking reward. This stance culminated in the tragic event of 22 June when the Chapekar brothers and their associates shot and killed British officers Rand and Lt. Ayerst. Tilak faced charges of incitement to murder and received an 18-month imprisonment sentence. Upon his release, he emerged as a martyr and national hero, adopting the rallying cry, "Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it."

In 1916, Tilak rekindled ties with fellow nationalists and rejoined the Indian National Congress. Additionally, he played a pivotal role in the establishment of the All India Home Rule League in 1916-18, collaborating with notable figures such as Joseph Baptista, Annie Besant, G. S. Khaparde, and Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Tilak's legacy endures as a beacon of India's struggle for freedom and a symbol of unwavering commitment to the ideals of self-rule.

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