Bal Gangadhar Tilak, a prominent extremist leader, wrote the newspaper 'Mahratta' in which language?

Correct option is A

The correct answer is (a) English

• Bal Gangadhar Tilak wrote the newspaper ‘Mahratta’ in English, which he used to spread his ideas of nationalism, self-rule (Swaraj), and to challenge British rule.

• His other prominent newspaper, ‘Kesari’, was published in Marathi, a language aimed at the masses in Maharashtra to promote nationalism and cultural revival.

• ‘Mahratta’ was critical in spreading Tilak’s views on India's need for self-governance and his belief in the power of the people to overthrow colonial rule.

Information Booster:

• Bal Gangadhar Tilak’s Contributions:

• Father of Indian Unrest: Tilak is often called the “Father of Indian Unrest” because of his role in igniting the Indian independence movement through his radical and assertive approach. He was a leading figure of the extremist faction of the Indian National Congress, advocating for complete independence rather than gradual reforms.

• Swaraj is My Birthright:

• Tilak is best known for his slogan "Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it", which became a rallying cry for the Indian independence movement.

• Role in the Freedom Struggle:

• Tilak was one of the first leaders to understand the power of popular mobilization. His public campaigns aimed to unite the masses against British rule.

• He emphasized the importance of Hindu culture and religious festivals as tools for promoting nationalist feelings. He used the Ganesh Chaturthi festival as a platform for political mobilization, turning it into a public event that brought together people to discuss freedom and unity.

• Major Works:

• Tilak wrote a number of influential works, including “The Arctic Home in the Vedas”, where he linked Indian culture to Vedic traditions and suggested that the Aryans originated from the Arctic region.

• His other famous work, “Gita Rahasya”, is a commentary on the Bhagavad Gita, where he argued that the Gita advocates the path of active participation in life and work, a view that encouraged national action for freedom.

• Imprisonment:

• Tilak was imprisoned by the British for his nationalistic activities. He was sentenced to 6 years of imprisonment in 1887 for writing articles in his newspapers that were considered seditious by the British.