Question

Choose the correct option from the following to fill in the blank regarding the regions of nationalist leaders of India :
Bal Gangadhar Tilak : Maharashtra; Bipin Chandra Pal : ____________

• A. Punjab
• B. Bihar
• C. Bengal
• D. Delhi

Hint:

• Lal-Bal-Pal advocated for 'Purna Swaraj' (complete independence) much before it became the official goal of the Congress.
• Bipin Chandra Pal started the English weekly 'New India' to spread nationalist ideas.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept:

• During the early 20th century, the Indian National Congress saw the rise of a "militant nationalist" or "extremist" phase.
• This phase was dominated by a famous trio known as "Lal-Bal-Pal," representing different geographic regions of India united against British colonial rule.
• They advocated for Swadeshi, Boycott, and National Education as tools for achieving Swaraj.

Step 1: Identifying the 'Lal-Bal-Pal' trio and their regions
Lala Lajpat Rai (Lal) was a prominent leader from Punjab, often called the 'Lion of Punjab' (Sher-e-Punjab).
Bal Gangadhar Tilak (Bal) hailed from Maharashtra (then part of the Bombay Presidency) and is famous for his slogan, "Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it."
Bipin Chandra Pal (Pal) was the third member of this group. He was a great orator and journalist who played a central role in the anti-partition movement (1905).

Step 2: Determining the region for Bipin Chandra Pal
Bipin Chandra Pal belonged to Bengal. He was one of the chief architects of the Swadeshi movement that originated in Bengal in response to Curzon's partition plan.
Just as Tilak mobilized Maharashtra through the Ganpati and Shivaji festivals, Pal used the platform of journalism and public speeches to radicalize the youth of Bengal.
Therefore, the blank is correctly filled by 'Bengal'.