Bal Gangadhar Tilak (1856 1920) was the first national leader of the Indian freedom movement who transcended provinces, communities and languages to establish himself in the hearts of millions. Tilak was a fierce advocate of swarajya (self-rule) and his famous words Swarajya is my birthright, and I shall have it! are well-remembered even today. The adulation he received from his followers earned him the title of Lokmanya the admired one. This book explores the multi-faceted personality of Bal Gangadhar Tilak social reformer, scholar and national leader convincingly portraying a man of the people of his time.