Bal Gangadhar Tilak

About

Remembered for his radical political stances and his leadership in the Indian Independence Movement, this Indian Nationalist politician and revolutionary served in the Indian National Congress in the 1880s.

Before Fame

After studying at the University of Calcutta's Church Mission Society College, he worked as a teacher, writer, and public speaker.

Trivia

More radical than Mahatma Gandhi, he publicly and persistently criticized Gandhi's leadership.

Family Life

He was born in British India (present-day Bangladesh) to a wealthy and educated Hindu family involved in the Brahmo Samaj religious and cultural movement. His son, Niranjan Pal, became an Indian film executive.

Associated With

He and fellow Indian nationalist Bipin Chandra Pal made up two thirds of the famous "Lal Bal Pal triumvirate" of radical activists and challengers of British rule in India. (The other member of the group was Punjabi writer Lala Lajpat Rai).