Page 41 - Swatantrata to Atmanirbharta : Lokmanya Tilak’s legacy

Lokmanya tiLak’S

bengaL connect

Dr. Abhijeet Shivane
Shri. Diganta Chakraborty

Bal Gangadhar Tilak was one of the first major Leaders
of the Indian Independence movement. With ‘Swadeshi’ or
Nationalism as its goal, the movement began from the province
of Bengal and since then Tilak’s connection with Bengal gained
prominence. With Bengali associates like Bipin Chandra Pal
and Aurobindo Ghosh, he vehemently opposed the British rule
in India.

Lord Curzon announced the division of province of Bengal
on July 20, 1905. As per the scheme, ‘Bengal’ province included
western districts of Bengal proper, Bihar and Odisha with
Calcutta as its Capital. Eastern Bengal and Assam province
included eastern districts of Bengal proper and Assam, with
Dacca as its Capital. The Partition of Bengal instantly triggered
the nationalist leaders. The ‘Swadeshi Movement’ was officially
proclaimed on August 7, 1905 at the Calcutta Town Hall in
Bengal. Bal Gangadhar Tilak led the movement and encouraged
the boycott of British goods. The unity among the radical leaders,
served as an inspiration for the commoners and it succeeded to
a large extent in fanning the flame of Nationalism within the
countrymen. There was a mighty upsurge which brought the
people and political leaders together. Massive demonstrations

39 Swatantrata to Atmanirbharata