Modern Indian History-Events and Personalities

[pib] Birth Anniversary of Chandrashekhar Azad and Lokmanya Tilak

Prelims Only | History and Art & Culture | Mains Paper 1: Modern Indian History

Why in the News?

Prime Minister paid his tributes to legendary freedom fighters Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Chandra Shekhar Azad on their birth anniversaries.

About Chandrashekhar Azad and Lokmanya Tilak

[1] Chandrashekhar Azad:

	Details:
	Born Chandra Shekhar Tiwari on 23 July 1906; Indian revolutionary leader of HSRA; Died 27 February 1931.
Early Life	From Bardarka, Uttar Pradesh; *Joined Non-Cooperation Movement* at 15; Famously declared his name as *“Azad”* when arrested.
Revolutionary Life	Joined *Hindustan Republican Association (HRA), participated in Kakori Train Robbery,* avenged Lala Lajpat Rai’s death; Reorganized HRA into Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA); Influenced by socialist literature.
Support from Congress	Financially supported by *Motilal Nehru*.
Activities in Jhansi	Used Jhansi as a base, practiced shooting, lived as Pandit Harishankar Bramhachari, taught children, connected with local revolutionaries.
Collaboration with Bhagat Singh	Reorganized HRA into HSRA, planned to assassinate James A. Scott, mistakenly killed John P. Saunders.
Death	Surrounded by police in Alfred Park, Allahabad; Ensured companion’s escape; shot himself to avoid capture on 27 February 1931.

[2] Lokmanya Tilak:

	Details:
	*Born Bal Gangadhar Tilak* on 23rd July 1856 in *Ratnagiri, Maharashtra;* Died on 1st August 1920.
Education	Founded *Deccan Education Society (1884)* and *Fergusson College (1885)* in Pune.
Ideology	Devout Hindu using scriptures to inspire resistance; Advocated for *self-rule (Swarajya); famous slogan: “Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it!*”; Emphasized cultural and religious revival. Popularized Ganesh Chaturthi and Shiv Jayanti festivals.
Political Life	Early advocate for complete independence; Part of the *Lal-Bal-Pal trio; joined Indian National Congress (INC) in 1890.*
Surat Split (1907)	Split INC into Extremists (*led by Tilak) and Moderates (led by Gopal Krishna Gokhale*) due to leadership disputes and differing approaches.
Contribution to Freedom Movement	Promoted *swadeshi movements* and *boycott of foreign goods; co-led Indian Home Rule Movement (1916);* Founded All India Home Rule League; Involved in Lucknow Pact (1916) for Hindu-Muslim unity.
Imprisonment	Imprisoned from 1908 to 1914 in Mandalay Prison for defending revolutionaries Khudiram Bose and Prafulla Chaki.
Publications	Edited weekly Kesari (Marathi) and Mahratta (English); Authored books “Gita Rahasya” and “Arctic Home of the Vedas.”

PYQ:

[2022] Who among the following is associated with ‘Songs from Prison’, a translation of ancient Indian religious lyrics in English?

(a) Bal Gangadhar Tilak

(b) Jawaharlal Nehru

(d) Sarojini Naidu

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