Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak
The fiery freedom fighter whose words "Swaraj is my birthright" moved the country. He made Pune a centre of the freedom movement.
Quick facts
- Born:
- 1856, Ratnagiri
- Pune link:
- Kesari Wada, Narayan Peth
- Known for:
- Kesari newspaper, Ganesh festival
- Died:
- 1920
Life and work
Bal Gangadhar Tilak studied at Deccan College in Pune. With friends he started the New English School and the Deccan Education Society, which later founded Fergusson College. He started the newspapers Kesari in Marathi and Mahratta in English.
Freedom fighter
Tilak was one of the first leaders to demand complete self-rule. His words, "Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it", became the call of the freedom movement. He was jailed more than once by the British, including six years in Mandalay, where he wrote the Gita Rahasya.
Public festivals
He promoted the public Ganesh festival and Shiv Jayanti as a way to bring people together. See Ganesh Festival.
In Pune today
Kesari Wada in Narayan Peth, where the Kesari is still published, has a museum about his life. Tilak Road and Tilak Smarak Mandir carry his name.
More in Pune's Pride
-
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
The founder of the Maratha kingdom, who spent his childhood in Pune at Lal Mahal with Rajmata Jijabai.
-
Rajmata Jijabai
The mother of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who rebuilt Pune and raised her son with the dream of Swarajya.
-
Mahatma Jyotirao Phule
The great social reformer who, with his wife Savitribai, opened schools for girls and fought against caste discrimination in Pune.
-
Savitribai Phule
India's first woman teacher of modern times, who taught girls in Pune despite insults and attacks. The University of Pune is named after her.
-
Gopal Krishna Gokhale
The moderate leader and teacher at Fergusson College whom Mahatma Gandhi called his political guru. Founder of the Servants of India Society.
-
Maharshi Dhondo Keshav Karve
The reformer who worked all his life for the education of women and widows, and founded India's first university for women. Bharat Ratna, 1958.
Sources: Written by PuneDiary. Facts checked 10 October 2026.