On May 28th, India commemorates the birth anniversary of freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, also known as Veer Savarkar or Swatantryaveer Savarkar. Born in 1883, Savarkar established himself as a significant figure in India’s struggle for independence. He wore many hats- an activist, politician, lawyer, and writer. His life and works have left an indelible mark on Indian history.
Early Life and Education
Vinayak Damodar Savarkar was born on 28th May 1883, in Bhagur, a small village near Nashik in Maharashtra. Savarkar’s passion for his country’s freedom was fuelled from an early age, leading him to establish the Abhinav Bharat Society, a secret organization dedicated to Indian independence.
Activism and Contributions to India’s Independence
Venturing to the United Kingdom, Savarkar became involved with other like-minded organizations such as India House and the Free India Society, both aimed at fostering nationalistic views among Indian students. Savarkar made significant contributions to India’s fight for freedom. His most notable work is ‘The History of the War of Indian Independence’, where he elucidated the guerilla warfare tactics employed during the 1857 Sepoy Mutiny. He also penned ‘Hindutva: who is hindu?’, giving an insight into his political and cultural beliefs.
Involvement in Politics
Savarkar played a considerable role in shaping Hindu politics in India. He was instrumental in forming the Hindu Mahasabha and served as its president from 1937 to 1943. The Mahasabha was established to counteract the effects of the Morley-Minto reforms of 1909 and the All India Muslim League’s creation in 1906, working to protect the interests of the Hindu community.
Arrest and Imprisonment
Savarkar’s activism did not go unnoticed by the British. He was arrested in 1909 for allegedly plotting an armed revolt against the Morley-Minto reform (Indian Councils Act 1909). A year later, he was arrested again for his association with the revolutionary group, India House. The charges against him included the abetment to murder of Nashik Collector Jackson and conspiring against the King Emperor under Indian penal code 121-A. Following two trials, Savarkar was sentenced to 50-years imprisonment, also known as Kala Pani, and shipped off to the Cellular Jail in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in 1911.
Death and Legacy
Savarkar passed away on February 26th, 1966. His death was a result of voluntary fasting, a decision that reflects his unyielding spirit. Despite the controversies that surrounded his life, Savarkar remains a prominent figure in Indian history, etched into the nation’s memory as a dedicated patriot.
Abhinav Bharat Society (Young India Society)
The Abhinav Bharat Society, originally established as Mitra Mela, was co-founded by Savarkar and his brother, Ganesh Damodar Savarkar, in 1904. This secret society was intimately linked with numerous revolutionaries and political activists, having branches across India and London.
India House and Free India Society
India House, established in London in 1905 by Shyamji Kishan Verma, aimed to promote nationalist views among Indian students. Similarly, the Free India Society was a political organization of Indian students in England devoted to achieving Indian Independence from British rule. Madam Bhikaji Cama led it into becoming a revolutionary outfit from an intellectual group.
Hindu Mahasabha
The Hindu Mahasabha, formed in 1933, was co-founded by prominent figures like Veer Damodar Savarkar, Lala Lajpat Rai, and Madan Mohan Malviya. It emerged as a political party with the primary goal of safeguarding Hindu community rights following the creation of the separate Muslim electorate and the establishment of the All India Muslim League.
