# Bal Thackeray > Indian politician (1926-2012) **Wikidata**: [Q61193](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q61193) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bal_Thackeray) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bal-thackeray ## Summary Bal Thackeray (1926-2012) was an Indian politician, journalist, cartoonist, and painter who founded the Shiv Sena political party in 1966. He became one of Maharashtra's most influential political figures, known for his aggressive Hindu nationalist rhetoric and his role as the supremo of the Shiv Sena, which grew from a regional Marathi ethnic party into a major political force in Indian politics. ## Biography - **Born**: January 23, 1926 - **Died**: November 17, 2012 - **Nationality**: Indian - **Citizenship**: India - **Aliases**: Bal Keshav Thackeray, Balasaheb Keshav Thackeray, बाळ केशव ठाकरे - **Education**: Not specified in source material - **Known for**: Founding Shiv Sena (1966), serving as party supremo, influential Maharashtra politician - **Employer(s)**: Shiv Sena (founder and leader) - **Field(s)**: Politics, journalism, cartooning, painting - **Occupation**: Politician, journalist, painter, cartoonist ## Contributions Bal Thackeray's primary contribution was the founding of Shiv Sena in 1966, a political party based in Maharashtra, India. The party initially focused on protecting the interests of Marathi-speaking people and later grew into a significant political force in Indian politics. Thackeray led the party for decades, becoming a dominant figure in Maharashtra's political landscape. His political career spanned several decades, during which the Shiv Sena formed governments in Maharashtra both independently and in alliance with other parties. ## FAQs **What was Bal Thackeray's profession?** Bal Thackeray was a politician, journalist, cartoonist, and painter by profession. He was best known as the founder and supremo of the Shiv Sena political party. **When did Bal Thackeray found Shiv Sena?** Bal Thackeray founded Shiv Sena in 1966 as a political party representing the interests of Marathi-speaking people in Maharashtra. **When and where was Bal Thackeray born and died?** Bal Thackeray was born on January 23, 1926, and died on November 17, 2012. **What was Bal Thackeray's occupation before entering politics?** Before entering politics, Bal Thackeray worked as a journalist and cartoonist, using his artistic skills to express his political views. **What was Bal Thackeray's legacy in Indian politics?** Bal Thackeray left a lasting legacy as the founder of Shiv Sena, which became one of the most influential political parties in Maharashtra and a significant force in Indian politics. ## Why They Matter Bal Thackeray mattered in Indian politics because he created a new political paradigm in Maharashtra by founding Shiv Sena, which mobilized Marathi ethnic identity into a powerful political force. His leadership style and political strategies influenced regional politics in India for decades. The Shiv Sena party he founded became a ruling party in Maharashtra and later became part of the ruling coalition at the national level. His aggressive Hindu nationalist rhetoric set the tone for many subsequent political movements in India. Without Thackeray's founding of Shiv Sena, the political landscape of Maharashtra and, by extension, Indian politics would have been significantly different. ## Notable For - Founder of Shiv Sena (1966) - Leader of Shiv Sena for several decades - Influential politician in Maharashtra - Journalistic and cartooning career - Known for his aggressive political style - Building Shiv Sena into a major political party ## Body ### Early Life and Background Bal Thackeray was born on January 23, 1926, in India. He grew up during the period of British colonial rule on the Indian subcontinent, which lasted from 1858 to 1947. He witnessed India's independence on August 15, 1947, and the subsequent transition from the Dominion of India to the Republic of India in 1950. His formative years were influenced by the political and social changes sweeping across India during the mid-20th century. ### Professional Career Before entering politics, Bal Thackeray worked as a journalist and cartoonist. His skills as a cartoonist allowed him to express his political views through visual media, which helped him build a following and establish himself in journalistic circles. He also practiced painting as an artist, demonstrating his creative talents beyond cartooning. These early career experiences shaped his communication style and helped him develop the rhetorical skills that would later define his political career. ### Political Career and Shiv Sena The most significant contribution of Bal Thackeray was the founding of Shiv Sena in 1966. The party was established as a political organization dedicated to protecting the rights and interests of Marathi-speaking people in Maharashtra. Under Thackeray's leadership, Shiv Sena grew from a regional ethnic party into a major political force in Indian politics. Thackeray served as the supremo of Shiv Sena for several decades, exercising tight control over the party's ideology and political strategy. He was known for his aggressive Hindu nationalist rhetoric and his ability to mobilize masses through emotional appeals to Marathi identity and Hindu pride. Under his leadership, Shiv Sena formed governments in Maharashtra, first independently and later in alliance with other parties. ### Influence and Legacy Bal Thackeray's influence on Indian politics was substantial. He demonstrated that regional political parties built on ethnic identity could achieve significant political success in India's democratic system. His political model influenced other regional parties across India. The Shiv Sena party he founded continued to be a major political force in Maharashtra long after his death, becoming part of ruling coalitions at both state and national levels. Thackeray's leadership style, characterized by aggressive rhetoric and strong organizational control, became a template for many subsequent political leaders in India. His ability to maintain political power over decades and transform a regional party into a national political force marked him as one of India's most influential politicians. ### Personal Life and Death Bal Thackeray passed away on November 17, 2012. Throughout his life, he maintained his Indian citizenship and was deeply connected to Maharashtra, the state where he built his political empire. His legacy continues through the Shiv Sena party he founded, which remains active in Indian politics. ### Related Entities Bal Thackeray was closely associated with Shiv Sena, the political party he founded in 1966. The party is headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra, and operated within the broader context of Indian politics. His career intersected with the political landscape of India, which emerged from British colonial rule and developed into the world's largest democracy. ## References 1. Encyclopædia Britannica Online 2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 3. Virtual International Authority File 4. [Bal Thackeray - RationalWiki](https://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Bal_Thackeray)