AN INDIAN BIOGRAPHY SIR,—The Kesari-Mahratta Trust of Poona has entrusted
me with the work of writing a biography in English of the late Lokamanya
B. G. Tilak, pioneer in the field of the Indian freedom movement; he was described by Sir Valentine Chirol as 'The Father of Indian Un- rest' and by Mahatma Gandhi as 'The Maker of Modern India.' I am working on this book. to be published in July next year on the oc- casion of the birthday centenary of Mr. Tilak.
Although Mr. Tilak came to England only once in his lifetime (in 1918), he was in close touch by correspondence with many Sanskrit scholars and prominent Members of Parliament between 1890 and 1920. In his newspaper, The Kesari, numerous references are to be found to correspondence with Charles Bradlaugh, Mr. Caine, MP, Sir William Digby, Mr. H. M. Hyndman, Sir Henry Cot- ton, MP, Mr. Benspoor, MP, Mr. A. 0. Hume, MP, Mr. George Lansbury, MP, Pro- fessor Max Muller, Miss Helena Normanton, and many others. Some of his correspondents
or their friends or relatives may have in their possession material useful for the biography.
Another class Of British persons who came into contact with Tilak were the members of the Indian Civil Service. Their personal im- pressions of the man and the peculiar cir- cumstances which brought them into contact with Tilak will also be of immense help to me in writing the biography.
May I appeal to all of these people, through the generosity of your columns, to give me the benefit of their co-operation? It will be agreed. I feel sure, that Tilak's period forms a vital link in the evolution of democratic relation- ship between England and India, and as such its history and development are matters of historic importance.
I will be most grateful for any help in this task. Of course, I will return material to
owners who make it available to me.—Yours faithfully,
D. V. TAHMANKAR
83 South Hill Park, London, N W3
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