Revolutionary Activities in India

Revolutionary Activities in Maharashtra

• The state of Maharashtra played a significant role in the revolutionary activities during the struggle for Indian independence. Here are some notable instances:

Vasudev Balwant Phadke and the Ramosi Peasant Force (1879):

• Vasudev Balwant Phadke organized the Ramosi Peasant Force, which aimed to disrupt British communication lines and instigate an armed revolt to free the country from British rule. The movement sought to address the grievances of peasants and challenge colonial authority.

Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Militant Nationalism (1890s):

• Bal Gangadhar Tilak, a prominent leader from Maharashtra, spread the spirit of militant nationalism through various means. He used festivals like Ganpati and Shivaji to inspire nationalist sentiments, and his journals Kesari and Mahratta disseminated his nationalist ideas. Tilak emphasized the use of violence as a means to fight against British oppression.

Chapekar Brothers and the Assassination of British Officials (1897):

• Two disciples of Bal Gangadhar Tilak, the Chapekar brothers (Damodar and Balkrishna), assassinated the Poona Plague Commissioner, Rand, and Lt. Ayerst. This act of violence was a response to the oppressive measures taken by the British during the plague outbreak and symbolized the revolutionary spirit in Maharashtra.

Abhinav Bharat Society and the Savarkar Brothers (1904):

• Vinayak Damodar Savarkar and his brother Ganesh Damodar Savarkar founded the Abhinav Bharat Society, also known as the Young India Society. It aimed to mobilize revolutionaries and political activists in Maharashtra and other parts of India. The society grew in influence and had branches across the country, with Vinayak Savarkar extending its reach to London during his law studies.

Assassinations and the Nasik Conspiracy Case (1909):

• Madanlal Dhingra, associated with the revolutionary movement, assassinated Lt. Col. William Curzon-Wyllie, a British official, in London. In India, Anant Laxman Kanhare assassinated AMT Jackson, the district magistrate of Nasik, as part of the Nasik Conspiracy Case. These acts of violence aimed to strike at the heart of British authority and inspire the broader movement for independence.
• These events highlight the active participation of Maharashtra in revolutionary activities during the struggle for Indian independence. The revolutionaries from Maharashtra played a significant role in challenging British rule and inspiring nationalist sentiments among the people.

Revolutionary Activities in Punjab

• In Punjab, revolutionary activities were influenced by several factors, including socioeconomic issues and political events. Here are some key points about revolutionary activities in Punjab:

• Socioeconomic Factors and Extremism: Punjab experienced frequent famines and faced an increase in land revenue and irrigation tax, which created discontent among the people. The practice of 'begar,' a form of unpaid labour demanded by zamindars, also added to the grievances. These issues contributed to the growth of extremist sentiments in the region.

• Lala Lajpat Rai and Ajit Singh: Lala Lajpat Rai, a prominent leader and writer, played a significant role in Punjab's revolutionary activities. He used his Punjabi journal to spread nationalist ideas and promote the cause of independence. Ajit Singh, who was Bhagat Singh's uncle, organized the extremist Anjuman-i-Mohisban-i-Watan in Lahore and published the journal, Bharat Mata. Both Lala Lajpat Rai and Ajit Singh were active in promoting extremist ideologies in Punjab.

• Suppression and Impact on Extremism: The Punjab government took strict measures against revolutionary activities. In May 1907, political meetings were banned, and Lala Lajpat Rai and Ajit Singh were deported. These actions led to a temporary decline in extremist activities in Punjab.
• Transformation into Revolutionaries: Following the suppression of political activities, Ajit Singh and some of his associates, including Sufi Ambaprasad, Lalchand, Bhai Parmanand, and Lala Hardayal, evolved into full-scale revolutionaries. They were influenced by the events and ideology of the time and began advocating for armed struggle and revolutionary methods to achieve independence.
• These factors contributed to the growth and transformation of revolutionary activities in Punjab. Lala Lajpat Rai and Ajit Singh played significant roles in promoting extremist ideas, while subsequent suppression by the government led to the emergence of a more militant approach among revolutionaries in Punjab.

Revolutionary Activities in Bengal

• The physical culture movement and the establishment of akharas or gymnasiums played a role in the development of revolutionary terrorism in Punjab, particularly during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The physical culture movement emphasized physical fitness, strength, and endurance as essential qualities for individuals aspiring for national liberation and independence.
• Swami Vivekananda, a renowned spiritual leader and a key figure in the Indian independence movement, emphasized the importance of physical strength alongside spiritual and intellectual development. He believed that a strong physique and resilient nerves were necessary for individuals to effectively contribute to the nationalist cause.
• The establishment of akharas and gymnasiums provided a platform for young revolutionaries to engage in physical training, martial arts, and combat skills. These spaces not only served as training grounds but also became centres for fostering a sense of camaraderie, discipline, and readiness for armed struggle.
• The emphasis on physical fitness and the cultivation of strength and resilience helped revolutionaries in Punjab prepare themselves for the challenges they faced in their struggle against colonial rule. It instilled a spirit of self-sacrifice, courage, and determination among the youth who sought to free their country from British imperialism.
• The physical culture movement, coupled with the growing nationalist sentiments and the socio-political context of Punjab, contributed to the development of revolutionary terrorism, as individuals sought to channel their physical and mental strength into acts of resistance against the colonial authorities.
• The revolutionary activities in Bengal during the early 20th century were characterized by the formation of revolutionary organizations, acts of violence, and the dissemination of revolutionary ideas through newspapers and journals. Here is an overview of the revolutionary activities in Bengal:
• Formation of Revolutionary Organizations: The first revolutionary organizations in Bengal were formed in 1902 in Midnapore and Calcutta. The prominent organizations included Anushilan Samiti and Jugantar. These organizations aimed to overthrow British rule in India through revolutionary means.
• Revolutionary Publications: Newspapers and journals played a crucial role in advocating revolutionary violence and spreading revolutionary ideas. Yugantar and Sandhya were among the influential publications in Bengal that promoted revolutionary activity.
• Assassination Attempts: The revolutionaries in Bengal carried out several assassination attempts against British officials. In 1906, an unsuccessful attempt was made on the life of Sir Fuller, the Lieutenant Governor of Eastern Bengal and Assam. In 1908, Prafulla Chaki and Khudiram Bose targeted a British judge, Kingsford, but ended up accidentally killing two British ladies.
• Alipore Conspiracy Case: The arrest of the Ghosh brothers, Aurobindo and Barindra, along with other members of Anushilan Samiti, led to the Alipore conspiracy case. The case was a significant trial that exposed the revolutionary activities and ideologies of the accused.
• Barrah Dacoity: Barrah Dacoity, led by Pulin Das, was a revolutionary group founded in 1908. The group aimed to raise funds for revolutionary activities through dacoities (robberies).
• Delhi Bomb Attack: In December 1912, Rashbehari Bose and Sachin Sanyal orchestrated a bomb attack on Viceroy Hardinge during his official entry into Delhi. The attack aimed to challenge British authority and gain attention for the revolutionary cause.
• German Plot: During World War I, the Jugantar party, under the leadership of Jatindranath Mukherjee (Bagha Jatin), established connections with sympathizers and revolutionaries in other countries. They arranged for the import of German arms and ammunition to support their revolutionary activities. Jatin also planned an all-India insurgency, known as the 'German Plot' or 'Zimmerman Plan.'
• These revolutionary activities in Bengal reflected the determination of the revolutionaries to free India from British colonial rule. They used acts of violence, publications, and international connections to advance their cause and inspire a larger movement for independence.

Revolutionary activities in Delhi 

• It played a significant role in the Indian independence movement. The city was home to a number of revolutionary groups, including the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) and the Ghadar Party. These groups engaged in a variety of activities, including:
• Bombing and assassinations: The revolutionaries carried out a number of bombing attacks on British targets in Delhi, including the Viceroy's House and the Legislative Assembly. They also assassinated a number of British officials, including Sir William Hutton, the Chief Commissioner of Delhi.
• Sabotage: The revolutionaries also engaged in sabotage activities, such as cutting telegraph wires and derailing trains. They also attempted to smuggle weapons and ammunition into India.
• Propaganda: The revolutionaries also engaged in propaganda activities, such as distributing leaflets and pamphlets that promoted their cause. They also set up secret presses to print revolutionary literature.
• Recruitment: The revolutionaries also engaged in recruitment activities, trying to attract young people to their cause. They set up secret cells in schools and colleges, and they also held public meetings to spread their message.
• The revolutionary activities in Delhi had a significant impact on the British Raj. They helped to undermine the British government's authority and to spread the message of Indian independence. The revolutionaries also inspired other parts of India to take up the cause of the armed struggle.

Some of the most famous revolutionaries from Delhi include:

• Ashfaqulla Khan: Khan was a member of the HRA and was executed for his role in the bombing of the Viceroy's House.
• Rash Behari Bose: Bose was a member of the Ghadar Party and was exiled to Japan, where he set up a revolutionary government in exile.
• Chandra Shekhar Azad: Azad was a leading figure in the HRA and was killed in a shootout with the British police.
• Surya Sen: Sen was the leader of the Chittagong Armoury Raid and was hanged by the British for his role in the attack.
• The revolutionary activities in Delhi were a significant part of the Indian independence movement. They helped to inspire the people of India to fight for their freedom, and they played a key role in the eventual overthrow of British rule.

Delhi Conspiracy

• The Delhi Conspiracy was an attempt made in 1912 to assassinate the then Viceroy of India, Lord Hardinge by throwing a local self-made bomb, on the occasion of transferring the capital of British India from Calcutta to New Delhi.
• The conspiracy was hatched by a group of revolutionaries led by Rash Behari Bose. The plan was to throw a bomb at Hardinge's carriage as he was riding through Delhi on December 23, 1912. The bomb was thrown, but it missed Hardinge and only injured two of his attendants.
• The British government launched a massive manhunt for the conspirators, and several of them were arrested. In 1914, five of the conspirators, including Lala Hanumant Sahai, Basanta Kumar Biswas, Bhai Balmukund, Amir Chand and Awadh Behari, were sentenced to death for their roles in the conspiracy.
• Rash Behari Bose managed to evade capture and fled to Japan. He later became involved in the Ghadar Conspiracy, a plan to overthrow British rule in India.
• The Delhi Conspiracy was a major setback for the Indian independence movement, but it also showed that the British were not invincible. The conspiracy helped to inspire other revolutionaries to continue the fight for India's freedom.
• Here are some of the key figures involved in the Delhi Conspiracy:
• Rash Behari Bose: The leader of the conspiracy. He was a Bengali revolutionary who had been involved in several other attempts to assassinate British officials.
• Lala Hanumant Sahai: A Punjabi revolutionary who was one of the conspirators who threw the bomb at Hardinge's carriage. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in the Andaman Islands.
• Basanta Kumar Biswas: A Bengali revolutionary who was one of the conspirators who threw the bomb at Hardinge's carriage. He was sentenced to death.
• Bhai Balmukund: A Punjabi revolutionary who was one of the conspirators who threw the bomb at Hardinge's carriage. He was sentenced to death.
• Amir Chand: A Punjabi revolutionary who was one of the conspirators who threw the bomb at Hardinge's carriage. He was sentenced to death.
• Awadh Behari: A Punjabi revolutionary who was one of the conspirators who threw the bomb at Hardinge's carriage. He was sentenced to death.
• The Delhi Conspiracy was a significant event in the Indian independence movement. It showed that the British were not invincible, and it helped to inspire other  revolutionaries to continue the fight for India's freedom.