Vaibhav Purandare's book unravels the complexities of Tilak's ideologies

The book gently peels back the sophistication and complexity of his positions on various issues, which were fraught with contradictions, and relates them to his life and times

Tilak: The Empire’s Biggest Enemy

Author: Vaibhav Purandare 

Publisher:  Penguin Vintage

Pages: 453

Price: Rs 999

Is it possible for a radical, anti-imperialist revolutionary to also be a social conservative who extols the virtues of the caste system, argues strongly that women and lower castes should not get the benefit of English education, and believes Muslims should not be considered Indians? Bal Gangadhar Tilak, a well-known leader in the freedom movement from the extremist stream and among the triumvirate Lal-Bal-Pal, was one such. He lived a life replete with contradictions, although he modified many of his positions later in life. Vaibhav Purandare’s