Bal Gangadhar Tilak, popularly known as Lokamanya Tilak, was born in a middle class Marathi Chitpavan Brahmin family on 23 July 1856 in Ratnagiri situated in the state of Maharashtra. He was named as ‘Keshav Gangadhar Tilak’ at his birth by his parents Gangadhar Tilak (Father) and Parvati Bai Gangadhar Tilak (Mother).

Tilak got married to Tapibai, daughter of Ballal Bal of Ladghar in Ratnagiri, named Satyabhama Bai after marriage.

Lokamanya Tilak started the newspapers ‘Kesari’ and ‘Mahratta’ along with Vishnushastri Chiplunkar, M.B. Namjoshi, Vamanrao Apte and Gopal Ganesh Agarkar. ‘Kesari’ was a Marathi newspaper while ‘Mahratta’ was an English daily newspaper. Lokamanya Tilak assumed the role of sole editor of the newspaper ‘Kesari’ in the year 1887.

Lokamanya Tilak joined the Indian National Congress

With Bengal partitioned the famous triumvirate Lala Lajpat Rai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Bipin Chandra Pal, popularly known as Lal-Bal-Pal, began the Boycott and Swadeshi movement

Lokamanya Tilak along with Annie Besant started the Indian Home Rule League. He acquired many followers to his cause.