But Tilak is no mere politician. He is a profound Sanskrit scholar besides. His " Artic home of the Vedas," and " Orion or researches into the antiquity of the Vedas," have commanded the respect and attention of such well-known orientalists as Professor Max Miiller and Professor Warren, President of Boston University. Indeed, his friendship with Professor Max Muller was based on the latter's appreciation of his marvellous scholarship. Dr. Bloomfield, of the Johns Hopkins University, refei ing to Tilak's Vedic researches, said in the course of an anniversary address : " But a literary event of even greater importance has happened within the last two or three months— an event which is certain to stir the world of science far more than the beatific reminiscences. Some ten weeks ago, I received from India a small duodecimo volume in the clumsy get-up and faulty typography of the Native Anglo-Indian press . . . nor was the preface at all encouraging. . . . But soon the amused smile gave way. . . . I was first impressed with something leonine in the way in which the author controlled the Vedic literature and the occidental works on the same. . . . I confess that the author had convinced me on all the essential points. The book is unquestionably the literary sensation of the year just before us ; history the chronic readjuster, shall have her hands uncommonly full to assimilate the results of Tilak's discovery, and arrange her paraphernalia in the new perspective." While professor at Fergusson College, Poona, Tilak was well-known for thoroughness. He is a brilliant mathematician, but he used to teach science and Sanskrit too.
During the war, Tilak gave loyal assistance to the Indian authorities in the matter of recruiting. He eloquently said that at this supreme crisis, all differ ences must be forgotten, that even in their own interests Indians should rally round the British flag. But, as ill-luck would have it, the Indian Head quarters Staff wanted only mercenary sepoys ; they were not then willing to accept the loyal offers of service from those who expected to be treated as the equals of their British comrades. The military authorities in India did not desire to mobilise the youth and generosity of India for the defence of the Empire ; they wanted so much old-fashioned fighting material that could be more conveniently handled.
But so far as in him lay, Tilak co-operated with the authorities, and asked for recruitment to the Defence of India Force. We have not had access to Tilak's articles, written during the war, but from reliable sources we learn that the general purport of his appeals has been 1. That in spite of serious differences of a domestic nature still awaiting solution, there has been sufficient good understanding created between the British and Indians that could serve as vantage ground for future progress.
2. That Indians must learn how to defend India, for a time may come when they must defend their hearths and homes against a powerful and highly organised Eastern or Western foe.
But in spite of his assurances and help, the Indian bureaucracy, quite heedless that the old man had just emerged from a six-year's imprisonment again restricted his movements and, later, asked him to execute bonds for being of good behaviour. This meant among other things that he could not come over to England to fight his case against Sir Valentine Chirol, passports for England being refused to Tilak. On appeal, however, the Judge of the Bombay High Court cancelled the bonds.
It is remarkable that the person who enjoys such questionable reputation at the hands of the bureau cracy as " sedition-monger " and the like, should be a distinguished member of the deputation that waited on the Right Honourable Mr. E. S. Montagu, some weeks ago in India.
Mrs. Annie Besant could have no better colleague in the working out of her Home Rule propaganda in Bombay, than Mr. B al Gangadhar Tilak. The authorities knew this, and hence Sir Benjamin Robertson's Order in Council that was promulgated some time ago, prohibiting Mrs. Besant's entry into Bombay, or Poona. In spite of previous differences with Mrs. Besant, Tilak recognises that the launching of the Home Rule Movement augurs well for India, and so in a generous spirit the old Maratha warrior politician is quite willing, we understand, to help forward, so far as possible, Mrs. Besant's praise worthy activities.
Tilak has had throughout his stormy career, intense sympathy with the poor ryots of India, and has ever shown himself a zealous advocate of India's voiceless millions. If others have served India through their success, Tilak has indisputably helped India through his failures and sufferings.