On 16 June, 1914 Balgangadhar Tilak was released after serving a prison sentence of ............. years at Mandalay.

The correct answer is - Six

Key Points

• Bal Gangadhar Tilak's imprisonment
  • Bal Gangadhar Tilak, a prominent leader in the Indian independence movement, was sentenced to six years of rigorous imprisonment in 1908.
  • He was sent to Mandalay, Burma (now Myanmar), where he served his sentence.
  • The imprisonment was a result of charges of sedition for his writings in the newspaper Kesari, which the British government deemed inflammatory.
• Release on 16 June 1914
  • Tilak was released from Mandalay jail on 16 June 1914, completing his full six-year sentence.
  • During his imprisonment, he wrote his famous work, ‘Gita Rahasya’, which expounded on the Bhagavad Gita and its relevance to active resistance and selfless service.

Additional Information

• Bal Gangadhar Tilak's Contribution to the Indian Freedom Movement
  • He was called the "Lokmanya", meaning "accepted by the people as their leader".
  • Tilak was one of the first leaders to advocate for Swaraj (self-rule) as a fundamental right of Indians.
  • He played a critical role in the Home Rule Movement, which aimed to achieve self-governance within the British Empire.
• Important Works
  • Tilak's writings and speeches were instrumental in inspiring the Indian masses to fight for independence.
  • His newspaper, Kesari, was a powerful medium for spreading nationalist ideas.
  • His book ‘Gita Rahasya’ remains a significant philosophical contribution, emphasizing action and duty as central to human existence.
• Context of British Sedition Laws
  • The sedition laws under British rule were used to suppress freedom of speech and curb nationalist movements.
  • Many Indian leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi and Bal Gangadhar Tilak, were charged under these laws for their writings and speeches.