Lokmanya Tilak, born as Keshav Bal Gangadhar Tilak ((1856-07-23)23 July 1856 – 1 August 1920; Born: Ratnagiri-Died: Bombay)(1920-08-01), was an Indian Nationalist, teacher, social reformer, lawyer and freedom fighter who was the first popular leader of the Indian Independence Movement. He was also conferred with the honorary title of "Lokmanya", which literally means "Accepted by the people (as their leader)".Tilak was one of the first and strongest advocates of "Swaraj"(self-rule). His famous quote, "Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it!" is well-remembered in India even today. Tilak was supported by fellow Indian nationalists Bipin Chandra Pal in Bengal and Lala Lajpat Rai in Punjab. They were referred to as the “Lal-Bal-Pal triumvirate”.

Indian Postal department issued a stamp on his birth centenary on 23 July, 1956. After Independence, this is the first commemorative stamp issued on birth centenary day of any freedom fighter. However its pre-issue use had come to light which created a big uproar in Indian parliament and Press.

In 1956, there were 10 philatelic bureaus operating in India viz. Bombay, Calcutta, Cuttack, Lucknow, Madras, Nagpur, New Delhi, Patna, Shillong and Simla. Over and above these bureaus, official cancellations of 23 July, 1956, were given at Hyderabad, Jaipur and Ratnagiri which was Tilak’s birth place. It is worth noting that out of these official cancellations, only Ratnagiri cancellation bears legend ‘Tilak Janma Sthan, Ratnagiri” (Tilak Birth Place, Ratnagiri) in centre in HINDI. In all other cancellations names of places of bureaus or GPOs, written in centre, are in ENGLISH. At other places date cancellations were given by respective post offices.

Many creative philatelists and dealers of those days produced many private FDCs, maxim card and other creative makings which have now become collector’s delight.