Bal Gangadhar Tilak was a votary of extremist ideology in Indian national movement. He was born in the village Ratnagiri of the Konkan area in Maharashtra on 23rd July 1856. Right From his student life, he made the goal of his life to struggle for the freedom of his country. The subject of his political thinking was achievement of swaraj for his country. He gave to the country the slogan, “Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it.” He gave new meaning to swaraj and published the newspapers ‘Kesari’ and ‘Maratha.’

Bal Gangadhar Tilak was the sage Bhagirath of Indian national movement and he extended priceless contribution to Indian national movement. Tilak erected the Indian national movement on the pedastal of CULTURAL PRIDE of the nation. For this, he started Ganesh festival and Shivaji festival. To achieve swaraj, he prescribed the means like swadeshi, boycott, national education and non – violent resistance. Tilak was the first national leader of modern India to gain spotless popularity and influence. He founded a new age for the formulation and use of the means followed by the extremists to win swaraj for the country.