History & Civics
With reference to the picture given here answer the questions that follow:
(a) Identify the person.
(b) What were his political beliefs?
(c) What means did he employ to arouse nationalistic passions?
(d) What was his role in the Anti-Partition and Home Rule Movements?
Answer
(a) The person shown in the given picture is Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
(b) Bal Gangadhar Tilak's political beliefs were as below:
- He said, "Swaraj is My Birth Right and I will have it".
- Tilak talked of 'Swaraj' as early as 1896-97.
- 'Swaraj' and 'Swadeshi' had become the baffle-cry of these robust nationalists.
- He came to the conclusion that "reforms would be secured not by talk, but by strong pressure on Government".
- His weeklies, the Mahratta and the Kesari made bitter attacks on the Government.
- He said, "political rights will have to be fought for."
(c) Tilak adopted many methods to carry the agitation to the masses and to arouse nationalistic passions in the masses.
- In 1893, he started the celebration of the Ganapati festival in Maharashtra.
- Satisfied with the success of the festival, he revived the Shivaji festival in 1895.
- The object was to instil in the masses a spirit of discipline and Patriotism.
- Tilak is known for organising 'Akharas' (places for wrestling) and 'Lathi Clubs' in Maharashtra to make the youths brave to defy the British Raj.
- In 1896, he led a No-rent Campaign. He asked the cultivators not to pay land-revenue because of famine conditions in the Deccan.
(d) Bal Gangadhar Tilak played a significant role in the Anti-Partition and Home Rule Movements.
His Role in the Anti-Partition Movement —
- Partition of Bengal gave him a big opportunity to expose evil designs of the government.
- Leaders like Tilak, Bipin Chandra and Lajpat Rai transformed the anti-partition movement into a Movement for Swaraj.
His Role in the Home Rule Movement —
- The year 1916 saw the establishment of the Home Rule Leagues in Madras (Chennai) and Maharashtra.
- The two Leagues were led by Mrs. Besant and Tilak respectively.
- Together they launched the Home Rule Movement which infused the nation with new strength and vigour.
- Tilak's contribution made him a hero of the masses.
- He earned the epithet 'Lokmanya' (respected by the people) and was almost worshipped as a God.
Related Questions
At the Surat Session held in 1907 the Split in the Congress became official. In this context answer the following question:
(a) What led to the split at the Surat Session?
Or
What differences were there between the early nationalists and the assertive nationalists as regards the Methods for attaining Swaraj?(b) What repressive measures were taken by the Government to suppress the Assertive Nationalists after the Surat Split?
The assertive nationalists lost faith in the ultimate success and the dilatory activities of the early Nationalists. In this context describe:
(a) Basic beliefs and objectives of the Assertive Nationalists.
(b) Methods they employed for the achievement of their objectives.
Identify the person whose picture is seen here and answer the questions that follow:
(a) What was his role in awakening national consciousness in India?
(b) What was his role in Anti-Partition and Swadeshi Movement?
(c) Why did he lose patience with Gandhian methods?
(d) What two major remedies did he prescribe to eradicate India's poverty and unemployment?
Identify the person whose picture is seen here and describe briefly:
(a) His role in the Anti-Partition and Swadeshi Movement.
(b) His Fame as a Brave Fighter.
(c) Formation of the Swaraj Party and entry into the Central Legislative Assembly.
(d) Demonstration against the Simon Commission.