Q. Who among the following first used the word ‘Swarajya’ in its political sense and accepted Hindi as the national language of India?
(a) Rammohan Roy
(b) Swami Vivekananda
(c) Mahatma Gandhi
(d) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
Ans: (d) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
Explanation: The correct answer is (d) Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
Bal Gangadhar Tilak, a prominent leader during the Indian independence movement, first used the word “Swarajya” in its political sense. Swarajya, meaning self-rule or self-governance, became a rallying cry for the nationalist movement in India.
Tilak emphasized the concept of Swarajya as a goal for India’s independence and worked towards mobilizing the masses in support of the cause. He popularized the slogan “Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it” to inspire and unite people in their struggle for self-rule.
Additionally, Bal Gangadhar Tilak also played a significant role in promoting Hindi as the national language of India. He advocated for the use of Hindi as a means to foster national unity and cultural identity. Tilak recognized the importance of a common language in unifying the diverse regions and communities of India. Therefore, the correct answer is (d) Bal Gangadhar Tilak.