A Story Indian freedom fighters Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Chandrashekhar Azad - ALLENCLASSES VIZAG
India’s struggle for independence was not a single moment in history—it was a vibrant, fiery saga of sacrifices, vision, and unmatched bravery. Two such prominent figures who etched their names in golden letters in the freedom movement are Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Chandrashekhar Azad. Though they belonged to different eras of the Indian freedom struggle, both symbolized a fierce spirit of nationalism and a deep love for the motherland.
Bal Gangadhar Tilak: The Father of Indian Unrest
Early Life and Education
Born on July 23, 1856, in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, Bal Gangadhar Tilak hailed from a modest but scholarly Brahmin family. His father was a Sanskrit scholar and teacher, and Tilak inherited a strong intellectual tradition. He completed his graduation in Mathematics from Deccan College in Pune and later earned a law degree from the University of Bombay.
Tilak was not only a mathematician and lawyer but also a journalist and a powerful orator. Early on, he recognized the need to awaken India from the slumber of colonial submission. He was deeply moved by the poverty, ignorance, and passivity of his countrymen under British rule.
Political Awakening
Tilak’s political journey began as a part of the Indian National Congress, which at that time followed a moderate approach. However, Tilak was dissatisfied with mere petitions and appeals. He believed in assertive nationalism, advocating self-rule or Swaraj as the natural right of Indians. His famous quote, “Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it,” became the slogan of an entire generation.
The Lal-Bal-Pal Triumvirate
Tilak joined hands with Lala Lajpat Rai and Bipin Chandra Pal, forming the trio known as Lal-Bal-Pal. Together, they spearheaded the assertive wing of the freedom movement. Unlike the moderates, they called for mass protests, boycotts of British goods, and national education.
Tilak's journals Kesari (Marathi) and Mahratta (English) were instrumental in spreading revolutionary ideas and promoting national pride. He criticized British policies, exposed their exploitation, and inspired youth to join the cause.
Cultural Nationalism and Social Reforms
Tilak believed that Indian culture and history were rich sources of inspiration. To instill national pride, he revived Ganesh Utsav and Shivaji Jayanti as public festivals, turning religious and historical events into instruments of mass awakening. These celebrations united people across caste and class and created a collective identity.
Despite his conservative views on certain social issues, Tilak’s focus was unwaveringly on national unity. He believed that without political freedom, social reforms would remain hollow.
Imprisonment and Writings
In 1908, Tilak was arrested on charges of sedition for his writings supporting the revolutionaries. He was sentenced to six years of rigorous imprisonment in Mandalay (Burma). While in prison, he wrote his seminal work, “Gita Rahasya”, interpreting the Bhagavad Gita as a call to action rather than renunciation.
Tilak returned from prison even more determined. However, age and illness began to catch up with him. He made his final efforts to unite the Congress and Hindu-Muslim communities. He passed away on August 1, 1920, but by then had already inspired a generation of revolutionaries, including Chandrashekhar Azad.
Chandrashekhar Azad: The Hero of Revolutionary India
Early Life and Resolve
Born on July 23, 1906—coincidentally the same date as Tilak—in Bhavra village (present-day Madhya Pradesh), Chandrashekhar Tiwari showed early signs of defiance and courage. His family, of humble means, moved to Banaras for better educational opportunities.
At the age of 15, Azad joined Mahatma Gandhi’s Non-Cooperation Movement. When arrested during a protest, he defiantly told the British magistrate that his name was “Azad” (The Free), his father’s name was “Swatantrata” (Independence), and his residence was “Jail.” Since then, he became Chandrashekhar Azad.
Disillusionment and Embrace of Armed Struggle
When Gandhi withdrew the Non-Cooperation Movement after the Chauri Chaura incident, many youths felt betrayed. Azad, too, was disillusioned and turned to more radical methods. He joined Hindustan Republican Association (HRA), which later became the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) under the leadership of revolutionaries like Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqulla Khan, Bhagat Singh, and Rajguru.
Azad believed that only armed resistance would shake the British Empire and awaken Indians. He mastered guerrilla tactics, shooting, and escape methods. His commitment to remaining “Azad” till death drove his every action.
Kakori Conspiracy and Aftermath
Azad played a key role in the Kakori train robbery (1925), where revolutionaries looted British government money from a train to fund their movement. After the incident, many leaders were arrested and later executed, including Bismil and Ashfaqulla. Azad managed to escape and went underground, constantly evading the British police.
Despite being hunted, Azad kept the movement alive by recruiting and mentoring young revolutionaries, especially Bhagat Singh. Their bond was not only of mentor-disciple but of kindred spirits—both brilliant, brave, and deeply ideological.
Revolutionary Activities and Beliefs
Azad was not just a fighter but a thinker. He believed in social justice, secularism, and equality. Under HSRA, he envisioned an India free not just from British rule, but also from exploitation by landlords, capitalists, and corrupt elites. He opposed communal divisions and maintained close ties with Hindu and Muslim revolutionaries alike.
His life was one of constant sacrifice—he had no personal life, no fixed home, and never took money for himself. Every rupee raised was used for the revolution.
Martyrdom at Alfred Park
On February 27, 1931, Chandrashekhar Azad was surrounded by British police in Alfred Park, Allahabad (now Chandrashekhar Azad Park). Rather than surrender, he fought bravely with his pistol, single-handedly holding off the police. When he had only one bullet left, he used it on himself, staying true to his vow of never being captured alive.
His sacrifice sent shockwaves across India. People revered him as a symbol of undying resistance, and his fearless end added fuel to the growing fire of independence.
The Legacy of Tilak and Azad
Both Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Chandrashekhar Azad represent two different yet complementary streams of India’s independence movement.
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Tilak, with his intellectual nationalism, laid the groundwork for political awakening, mass mobilization, and assertive nationalism.
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Azad, with his daring revolutionary activities, kept the spirit of resistance alive during the darkest days of repression.
While Tilak believed in mobilizing the masses through education, culture, and journalism, Azad inspired the youth to take bold, immediate action to overthrow colonial rule. Yet, both shared the same love for the nation, the same spirit of sacrifice, and a vision of a free and self-reliant India.
Conclusion
India’s freedom was not handed on a silver platter—it was earned through the blood, sweat, and fire of heroes like Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Chandrashekhar Azad. They were not just men—they were movements. One awakened the conscience of a sleeping nation, the other showed that fearlessness could shake an empire.
Their lives remind us that freedom requires courage, sacrifice, and a relentless spirit of service. Even today, their words and deeds echo in the hearts of millions who believe in the ideals of justice, self-respect, and patriotism.
In honoring them, we honor the very soul of India.
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