---
title: "Who is called the father of Nationalism in India?"  
description: "Who is called the father of Nationalism in India?"  
author: "Eshan Rathaur"  
published: 2018-03-11  
canonical: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/39505/who-is-called-the-father-of-nationalism-in-india  
category: "general knowledge"  
tags: ["general knowledge"]  
reading_time: 2 minutes  

---

# Who is called the father of Nationalism in India?

Who is [called the father](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/view/85778/mahatma-gandhi-is-called-the-father-of-nation-really) of [Nationalism](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/327784/afghanistan-the-rising-threat-for-india) in [India](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/336618/top-10-electric-bicycles-in-india-in-2024-to-improve-your-health)?

## Answers

### Answer by Biswajeet Bhattacharya

![Who is called the father of Nationalism in India?](https://answers.mindstick.com/questionanswer/1d113ac5-220c-48cf-a43a-a4859a1703c1/images/441d8b8a-35c3-427c-9cd9-1ab22ca7e4a9.jpeg)

**Bal Gangadhar Tilak** is called the **father of nationalism in India** because he was the **first** person to start the idea of nationalism in the country.

![Who is called the father of Nationalism in India?](https://answers.mindstick.com/questionanswer/1d113ac5-220c-48cf-a43a-a4859a1703c1/images/32310964-1f20-4db4-b2fa-18f6dacd74ba.jpeg)

Bal Gangadhar Tilak was born on **23rd July 1856** in **Ratnagiri, Bombay State, British India (present-day Maharashtra, India)** as **Keshav Gangadhar Tilak**. A **nationalist, lawyer, teacher, social reformer** and an **Independence activist**, Bal Gangadhar Tilak was the **first leader** of the **Indian freedom struggle**. He was called the **‘The father of the Indian unrest’** by the **British** authorities. The famous quote **“Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it”** was given by Bal Gangadhar Tilak. The quote was given against the British rule. He was given the title of **‘Lokmanya ’** meaning accepted by the people (as their leader).

![Who is called the father of Nationalism in India?](https://answers.mindstick.com/questionanswer/1d113ac5-220c-48cf-a43a-a4859a1703c1/images/16a6b967-ab56-4397-9871-4e3f6c310c1e.jpeg)

Lokmanya Tilak (Bal Gangadhar Tilak) joined the **Indian National Congress** in **1890**. He was closely associated with **Aurobindo Ghosh, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bipin Chandra Pal, Muhammad Ali Jinnah** and **V.O. Chidambaram Pillai**. Bal Gangadhar Tilak was against the **moderate attitude** towards the fight for **self-government**. Opposing the moderate views of **Gopal Krishna Gokhale**, Bal Gangadhar Tilak was supported by fellow nationalists **Bipin Chandra Pal** in **Bengal** and **Lala Lajpat Rai** in **Punjab**. Together they were referred to as **‘Lal-Bal-Pal’**. The Indian National Congress was split into **Moderates** and **Extremists** following the **Swadeshi movement of 1905 – 1907**.

![Who is called the father of Nationalism in India?](https://answers.mindstick.com/questionanswer/1d113ac5-220c-48cf-a43a-a4859a1703c1/images/17de9b8b-7c08-46f8-baed-2c215a6a693c.jpeg)

Bal Gangadhar Tilak later rejoined the Indian National Congress in **1916**. Uniting with his fellow nationalists **G.S. Khapade** and **Annie Besant**, Tilak founded the **All India Home Rule League** in the same year. Lokmanya Tilak also wrote a book named **The Arctic Home in Vedas** in the year **1903**. His other books include **The Orion**. While in prison in **Mandalay**, Bal Gangadhar Tilak authored **‘Shrimadh Bhagavad Gita Rahasya’**. Bal Gangadhar Tilak died on **1st August 1920** at the age of **64** in **Bombay, British India (present-day Maharashtra, India)**.

![Who is called the father of Nationalism in India?](https://answers.mindstick.com/questionanswer/1d113ac5-220c-48cf-a43a-a4859a1703c1/images/c109e855-cff4-4e28-b9d2-1c8050b4b495.jpeg)\


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