Question

Which of the following is not true about Bal Gangadhar Tilak?
A. He wrote Gita Rahsaya
B. He started the Ganpati Festival in 1893
C. He launched a newspaper Kesari in English
D. He started the home rule league in 1916

Answer 1

Hint Bal Gangadhar Tilak was a leader of the extremist group who believed in adopting struggle rather than requesting the enemy to attain Swaraj. His saying, “Swaraj is my birthright. I shall take it” was quite popular. Apart from this, he was a very determined leader who laid emphasis on and promoted the Swadeshi movement.

Complete answer:
Tilak established a new English school in Poona in 1880 and was associated with the formation of Deccan Education Society and Fergusson College. In order to promote his beliefs, he published two newspapers named ‘Maratha’ (an English weekly) and ‘Kesari’ (a Marathi daily).
In an attempt to develop the spirit of nationalism among the people, Tilak started the Ganesh festival in 1893 CE and the Shivaji festival in 1896 CE. During his time in the Mandley jail, he wrote a book named ‘Gita Rahsaya’. He also wrote a book named ‘Arctic home of the Aryans’. After his release from jail, he played an important role in the Lucknow Pact which took place between the Congress and the Muslim League in 1916 CE. He along with Annie Besant started the Home Rule Movement in 1916 to attain self-rule.

Thus, option (C) is correct

Additional Information: Tilak was referred to as the Crownless Emperor of India. In 1908 CE, when he was sentenced to six months imprisonment and sent to Mandley Jail in Burma.

Note: Tilak was loved and highly respected by the people of India, due to his death in 1920 CE, the entire country was drowned in grief. About 5 lakh people were present during his funeral procession.