Bal Gangadhar Tilak is often called the Father of the Indian Unrest, given the active role he played in the Indian freedom struggle as a teacher, lawyer, and activist. He took forward the concept of Swarajya, or 'self-rule'. The title 'Lokmanya' was conferred upon him later, and it means 'accepted by the people'. He is often credited for popularising of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Maharashtra. In 1881, Tilak founded Kesari, a Marathi newspaper, which became the voice for the freedom struggle. He also ran Maharatta, an English newspaper, and both papers are alive today.

The Lokmanya Tilak Museum, located in Kesari Wada, Narayan Peth, was inaugurated in January 1999 by Mrs Sonia Gandhi. The Wada earlier belonged to Sayajirao Gaikwad, and hence it was known as Gaikwad Wada. When Tilak purchased it to begin work on Kesari, his first newspaper, it began to be known as Kesari Wada. The museum was conceived, and is managed, jointly by The Kesari Maharatta Trust and the Tilak Family. It shares space with the Kesari-Maratha Library, The Lokmanya Sabhagriha (Auditorium), and a couple of offices managed by the Trust. On display in the museum are: the first printing press for Kesari, various events from Tilak’s life, his genealogical table, personal belongings, an early design for the flag of India, and an iconic replica of Tilak himself from when he was locked up at the Mandalay Jail. Another replica has him sitting in his study and writing. The personal memorabilia include important papers, letters, and other artefacts such as his clothes, headgear, glasses, and so on.