π Topic 03 of 6 Β· Chapter 14 Β· Indian National Movement (1857β1920)
Extremist Phase & Bal Gangadhar Tilak
Lal-Bal-Pal, Tilak’s Swaraj, Swadeshi movement, Partition of Bengal (1905), Surat Split (1907).
π₯ Rise of Extremism
The Extremist phase (1905β1920) emerged as a reaction to the failure of Moderate methods. Extremists believed that constitutional agitation was ineffective and demanded more aggressive action.
π Lal-Bal-Pal β The Extremist Trio
| Leader | Region | Title | Key Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lala Lajpat Rai | Punjab | “Punjab Kesari” (Lion of Punjab) | Advocated Swaraj; deported to Burma (1907); died after lathi charge (1928) |
| Bal Gangadhar Tilak | Maharashtra | “Lokmanya” (Respected by the people) | Swaraj is my birthright; Ganesh Chaturthi festival; Kesari newspaper; imprisoned twice |
| Bipin Chandra Pal | Bengal | “Father of Revolutionary Thought” | Advocated complete independence; New India newspaper |
π₯ Bal Gangadhar Tilak β “Lokmanya”
- Famous slogan: “Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it”
- Started Ganesh Chaturthi festival (1893) β to mobilise people
- Started Shivaji festival (1895) β to inspire nationalism
- Published Kesari (Marathi) and Mahratta (English) newspapers
- Imprisoned twice by British β 1897 (18 months) and 1908 (6 years in Mandalay)
- Wrote Gita Rahasya while in Mandalay prison
- Died in 1920 β Gandhi called him “Maker of Modern India”
π₯ Extremist Programme β “Four-Fold Programme”
- Swaraj β self-rule (within or outside British Empire)
- Swadeshi β use of Indian-made goods; boycott of British goods
- Boycott β boycott of British goods, schools, courts, councils
- National Education β education free from British control
βοΈ Surat Split (1907)
- Congress split at Surat session (1907) into Moderates and Extremists
- Dispute over election of Congress president and methods of agitation
- Moderates (Gokhale, Pherozeshah Mehta) β constitutional methods
- Extremists (Tilak, Lajpat Rai, Bipin Chandra Pal) β aggressive agitation
- Split weakened the nationalist movement
- Reunited at Lucknow session (1916) β Lucknow Pact
β Tilak’s Contribution: Tilak transformed Indian nationalism from an elite movement to a mass movement. By using religious festivals (Ganesh Chaturthi, Shivaji festival) and vernacular newspapers (Kesari), he reached the common people. He was the first nationalist leader to demand Swaraj openly. Gandhi acknowledged Tilak as his political predecessor.
π Exam Tip:
β’ Lal-Bal-Pal = Lala Lajpat Rai + Bal Gangadhar Tilak + Bipin Chandra Pal
β’ Tilak’s slogan = “Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it”
β’ Tilak’s title = “Lokmanya” = respected by the people
β’ Surat Split = 1907 = Moderates vs Extremists
β’ Tilak’s newspapers = Kesari (Marathi) + Mahratta (English)
β’ Lal-Bal-Pal = Lala Lajpat Rai + Bal Gangadhar Tilak + Bipin Chandra Pal
β’ Tilak’s slogan = “Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it”
β’ Tilak’s title = “Lokmanya” = respected by the people
β’ Surat Split = 1907 = Moderates vs Extremists
β’ Tilak’s newspapers = Kesari (Marathi) + Mahratta (English)