ISSN-2394-6326 Journal de Brahmavart

REVOLUTIONARY UPSURGE IN INDIAN FREEDOM STRUGGLE WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO

Dr. Rajeshwar Shukla

The contribution of revolutionaries is of weaponry in the world. It was a one of those gray areas in the annals of progressive capitalist force enriched Indian freedom struggle, that have not with intense feelings of new born been researched in depth. Whatever nationalism. It virtually provided it work has been done that remains with a cohesiveness and made it confined to handful revolutionaries. impregnable for any divisive force. On Countless patriots laid down their lives the other hand being a feudal for the sake of the nation, still pages of country in its very core could not history kept mum over their heroic withstand aggressive . deeds and remained oblivious of them. Establishment of British Raj It was entirely a strange phenomenon was a gradual process and most likely and needs to be probed. same was the case with revolutionary In order to understand upsurge. British rule in India was never revolutionary movement in its entirety, guided by the Principle of equality and It is necessary to have a feel of social justice, it was a plunderer state circumstances in which the seeds of that eventually created large scale revolt began sprouting. India was not discontentment in form of revolts. enslaved in a day or two, it was rather Hence English rule and revolutionary a result of continuous intricate virus grew together and prepared the conspiracies over a century. It is also base for future clashes. not fair to put entire blame over British A microscopic analysis of the Raj for Indian submission. The fact is revolutionary trend in Indian freedom that no institution can ever be so struggle reveals that they were nobody severely damaged unless it is perished else but revolutionaries who evolved within itself and British could not have freedom movement and compelled so easily burgled into its very roots. English to quit India. It is a sheer Even during the rule of Aurangzeb. thanklessness of nation to call Mughal empire started shedding its revolutionaries as less gangsters. luster and soon became vulnerable to Manmath Nath Gupta justifies this various indigenous forces. It is beyond revolutionary upsurge, "On the one doubt that some of these forces had hand the peasants who grow corn for enough strength to give a death blow to all, starve with their families. The the empire but they really lacked in art weaver who supplies the world market of building ahen new one. Though with textile fabrics can not find enough they had capabilities of vanquishing to cover his own and his children's the Mughal empire yet they could not bodies. Masons, smiths, carpenters, do so, as at this juncture the British who build magnificent places lived and forces unexpectedly jumped in perished in slums. On the other hand, between and shattered the dreams of capitalists, exploiters, parasites of other Indian forces that were aspiring society squander millions on mere to be the masters of India. whims."1 This was the era when the Bipin Chandra, in his book British Empire was undoubtedly an "Nationalism and Colonialism in industrial giant and possessed the best modern India" says, "countless Indians refused to be in such inhuman state and 14

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rose in revolt and gave their blood to its culmination point, cannot be ruled the foundation of free India. How can out. India being the land of diverse there be any parameter to measure social patterns and scarce economy their contribution ? Revolutionaries of would certainly have been vulnerable Northern India during 1920's became to these vital factors. Economic popular heroes in their own life time hardships inflicted by British rule and have remained so since then. There compelled the common people of India are few to question the magnanimity of to live wretched life and it eventually the noble ideals they cherish and the paved the path of revolution. grand sacrifices they have offered"2 This paper will also make an Manmath Nath Gupta further outlines attempt to bring forward the first ever the role of revolutionaries, say, "At the references of those Indian revolts that time of First World War, when the somehow slipped from the formal British Government stood at the history of Indian freedom struggle. threshold of glorious victory, was not One such uprising was "Sanyasi worried about any body and anything Revolt" in the year 1700. Saints, forest except the revolutionaries. The dwellers, Santhals and Bhils held the congress had been there since 1885, string of this revolt against the British but it was not even mentioned in 226 Raj. This revolt was spread from banks pages report of Rowlatt Committee. of Ghraghra, in the then United Tilak and Aurobindo were mentioned, Province (U.P.) to the banks of because they were revolutionaries, not Brahmaputra river. We also come because they were congressmen."3 across instances of Hindu Sanyasin and The revolutionaries were not Sufi Faquirs comming together to scared of chaos or anarchy which so challenge British rule. Bankim frightened the middle class Chandra wrote historical novel "Anand intelligentsia of the time. The task of Math". It was not merely a fiction distruction was essential before work. It was in fact based on real regeneration could occur. The happenings between Bhawani Pathak 'Revolutionary' published by the HRA and Sufi Majnu Shah6. Dudhar Singh in January 1925 had proclaimed and Mishri Khan, rulers of Burdwan "Chaos is necessary to the birth of a got the help of Sanyasis and Sufis new star and the birth of life is against British rule in 1719, Nawab of accompanied by agony and pain." The , Mir Kasim sought the help of manifesto of the HSRA (1929) fully Sanyasins in 1700. endorsed this anarchistic streak.4 These small embers of local According to the philosophy of the unrest eventually transformed into a Bomb, "the revolutionaries already see volcano in 1857. Keeping aside their the advent of the revolution in the mutual differences, various leaders restlessness of the youth, in its desire from different parts of India assembled to break free from the mental bondage under the banner of last Mughal and religious superstitions that hold Emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar to them.5 challenge their common enemy. It is beyond any doubt that Though this revolt was brutally foreign rule itself was very seed that muzzled yet it sent tremors to very gave birth to revolutionary upsurge in roots of English rule in India. Keeping India. But the role of various in view its almost national character, it socioeconomic forces instrumental in is considered to be the very first war of 15

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Indian Independence. Opposite to this Saheb. Eventually, English surrendered there is another school of thought that and accepted the terms of Nana.7. does not agree with this and calls it Among the main subordinates mere a sepoys' muting. There is no of , who assisted him, were doubt that participant groups had Azimullah, Baba Rao, Jwala Prasad divergent aims yet they were and Tikka Singh etc. Apart from them unanimous on their primary goal, that a number of reputed people of Kanpur was immediate expulsion of foreign also supported him: regime. Had there been a better 1. Chaudharies of Bithur coordination among leaders of this 2. King of Thathia uprising, most likely they would have 3. Moti Singh given a last nail to the British coffin. 4. Rajputs of Panki - Gangagnaj and Whatsoever was the outcome but it was certainly a great revolutionary 5. King of Shivrajpur, Sati Prasad effort that further enriched the 6. King of Sachendi, Durga Prasad revolutionary cult and gave a fillip to 7. King of Nar-Dariyav Chand the growth of Indian Nationalism. They all participated in siege of Revolution knocked the doors Wheeler. Besides them, Zamindars and of Kanpur also. In the mid night of 4th Powerful people of Bithur, , June Revolt began with firing. Next Shivrajpur, Narval and Rasulabad day, platoon no. 1 of Indian troops rose openly participated in revolt. But this in revolt but they did not harm any victory could not last for long. On 17th English officer. They proceeded July, Kanpur once again slipped into towards Nawabganj and plundered the hands of English forces. Nana treasury and court gate of the jail was Saheb fled away and took shelter in opened with the help of two more Bithur to organise his forces again. On platoons that rose in revolt later. Nana 16th August, General Havelock Saheb was declared the King and attacked Nana Saheb. A fierce battle Subedar Tikka Singh was deputed with took place between revolutionaries and Leadership of platoon no. 53. English forces which resulted in a lot The flag of freedom was put on of causalties. Finally, English emerged an elephant and a procession was taken victorious and General Stephenson out. It was declared that the reign of occupied with the help of Sikh Nana Saheb had begun. and English force. General burnt the On 6th June, Nana Saheb palace of Nana Saheb and plundered attacked the fort of English and three its treasure9. days later, platoon no. 48 staying at November 10th, , an Chaubepur also revolted. All English able army chief of Nana closed officers were killed except one named Yamuna river to attack English forces Bolton who succeeded in fleeing away. at Kanpur and occupied Bhognipur, On the same day, from Fatehgarh, 60 Shivla, Akbarpur, Shivrajpur and half to 70 English men, women and of the Kanpur. In the month of children reached to Nawabganj by a December, Kanpur once again fell into boat, through the course of Ganges. All the hands of English and revolt came were killed. Fort was under the siege to an end. British confiscated the and ration was gradually exhausted. property of those who supported for 4th and 5th platoons of Awadh Local the cause of Nana Saheb. On 22nd Infantry also joined the forces of Nana November, Pandu Rang Rao an 16

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adopted son of Nana Saheb's younger Kand' which was sold like a hot cake. brother was hanged to death by On 23rd March, 1931, when Bhagat English.13 Singh, Rajguru and By mid twenties, Kanpur again were hanged he published the whole came under the sway of revolutionary incident alongwith their biographies activities. Attempts were made to and photographs. On the very next day, instigate the soldiers in the cantonment Vidyarthi lost his life during a of Kanpur. Kartar Singh accompanied communal riot between Hindus and by Pingley visited Kanpur cantonment Muslims. during this period.11 In 1923 Jaychand In thirties, not many Vidyalankar a prominent revolutionary revolutionary incidents are reported of Punjab sent to Kanpur but during the phase of 'Quit India for revolutionary work who worked in Movement', C.I.D. found a renewed association with 'Pratap'12. A week upsurge in revolutionary activities. As after B. K. Dutta and Bhagat Singh per its sources, Gajpati Saxena was hurled bomb in Assembly. Searches acting as a secret Dictator, Ishwar were made at various places in Kanpur Chandra of Naughada was in charge of and prominent revolutionary Shiv organising demonstrations, processions Verma was arrested. and meetings and Ram Dulare Trivedi Salig Ram Shukla was one such of Pratap Press was entrusted with the revolutionary of Kanpur who led his task of wire cuttings, destruction of activities from D.A.V. College hostel. railway lines, raids on police stations , Surendera and Government buildings. Deo Dutt Nath Pandey, Vishwanath and Nand Sharma of Sharma printing works was Kishor Nigam were other associates of incharge of publicity of revolutionary the Shukla Salig Ram organised 'Uttar activities16. It was also observed that Pradesh Youth Guard' which was Acharya Jugal Kishore divided U.P. joined by many young men of Kanpur into three zones, for revolutionary who were given a special uniform for activities with head quarters at , the purpose. Salig Ram was a fine Banaras and Kanpur. Ram Swarup shooter and Police kept an eye over his Gupta was in charge of Kanpur activities. Police Sub-Inspector zone17. Shambhu Nath was after his life. Initially revolutionary activities Shukla started living with his associate were confined to bomb throwing and Surendra Nath, who lived at cases of burning post boxes. In Nawabganj14. On December 2nd, February, 1943, two bomb were 1930 Shukla was short dead in a gun exploded at Kanpur central railway duel with Police.15 station causing death of three persons. Another activist of Kanpur, Likewise there was an explosion at Ganesh Shanker Vidayarthi started Nishat Talkies. As per C.I.D. and Publication of 'Pratap' on 9th police records, two groups were November, 1913. He published the involved in these activities. The first stories of revolutionaries in a series. group was responsible for the petty He was a guide to Bhagat Singh and small bomb cases, burning of post Chandra Shekhar Azad. He published offices and second was responsible for the incident of 'Kakori' along with bomb important documents in 'Pratap' He explosion and Nishat Talkies Bomb also published book titled 'Kakori case.18 17

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The investigation of the Trivedi, Yadunath Singh and Ram Railway Station Bomb case was started Lal24 by Government Railway Police while It is significant that that of Nishat Talkies case by the revolutionaries of Kanpur were in Kotwali Police. The culprits could not close association with the members of be traced.19 C.I.D. officials led by and Socialist Trilok Singh took the investigation in congress and worked in an ambience. his hands. They were of an opinion Many H.S.R.A. members belonged to that these activities were a part of Kanpur. Revolutionaries like Gajpati, rebellious programme of the Congress Ram Dulari Trivedi and Ishwar to terrorize the general public.20 Chandra were active participants in Suspected revolutionaries were anti British Movement. Congress later challanged in the session's court. Leaders like Bal Krishna and Ram 14 persons were sent for session court Manohar Lohia addressed meeting in trial. Uma Shanker had been the Kanpur to encourage masses to approver in his Kanpur Station Bomb participate in anti British campaign. case but C.I.D. officials wanted Kanpur was also the center of activities another approver in order to strengthen for Keshav Das Malviya, Acharya, the case 21. On 16.10.1943 Deputy Jugal Kishore and Ram Swarup Gupta. Superintendent of police, Tika Ram It is also significant to note that wrote to superintendent of police, I.B., members of Indian National Congress that they needed a second approver and like G.M. Khanolkar and socialist like they might approach Babu Ram, who Dalpat Singh and Devendra Agnihotri later refused to be so22. 13 persons were closely associated with were put on trial and Uma Shanker was revolutionaries of Kanpur. also examined as approver in Kanpur It is indeed a strange Station and Nishat Bomb cases. The phenomenon that even the blood of judgement was pronounced on 10-11- countless martyrs did not stir a nation. 1944. The session Judge convicted 6 of So called intellectual writers seemed to them and acquitted the rest from all camouflage their own escapism with charges. The Judge referred the case to modesty. The revolutionaries, who High Court23. deserved the adoration of the It is indeed necessary to surface countrymen are being referred as the names of those revolutionaries who 'Terrorist'. What a mental bankruptcy! played significant role in various It is shocking, that a nation which saw subversive activities during Quit India the emergence of 'Geeta' is herself movement in Kanpur. The important devoid of its essence. The devil must onces are, Mohan Lal, Durga Prasad, be killed, whether by the bullet of Baij Nath, Tejnath Pandey, Sri Ram, revolutionary or by the Sudarshan Bhagwan Das, Anand Prakash, Chakra of Krishna. It is abundantly Harbhagwan, G.D. Chawla, Jagdish clear that violence or non-violence Prasad Dubey, Shambhu Dayal, Ram does not matter, it is the spirit behind Ghulam, Dr. Deo Bharat Som, Bajrang the action that is the main deciding Singh, Baboo Ram Srivastava, factor. Chandra Prabhakar, Dalpat Singh, The tails of revolutionaries are Ram Niranjan Singh, G. L. Khanolkar, endless and their contribution in Master Gobardhan, Ram Dulare freedom struggle is beyond any measure, yet an apathy of historians 18

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towards revolutionary history is indeed 8. Narayan Prasad Arora, Kanpur Ka an intriguing issue. Isn't it a matter of Itihas, p.117 9. Narayan Prasad Arora, Kanpur Ka disgrace that about 1654 army men of Itihas, p.125 I.N.A. were killed in the war against 10. Narayan Prasad Arora, Kanpur Ka British forces and pages of history are Itihas, p.152 still quiet? It was perhaps the cathartic 11. M.N. Gupta, History of Indian Revolutionary effect of Gandhian philosophy that Movement, pps 40-46 12. M.N. Gupta, History of Indian seemed to blur the vision of historians Revolutionary Movement, pps 114- and adversely affect their objectivity as 115. well. It was the same philosophy that 13. , Sansmritian, pps 149-150. made Indian National congress so 14. Kripa Kant Jha, Ke Amar much numb that they did not feel any Shahidon Ki Kahaniyan, pps 108-111 15. M.N. Gupta, Bhartiya Krantikari need to observe a condolence meeting Andolan Ka Itihas p. 141 at the execution of Bhagat Singh. The 16. P. N. Chopra, life of Bhagat Singh was symbolic to British Secret Documents, pps.101-102 the revolutionary philosophy which 17. Ibid, pps. 251-252 gave birth to countless such heroes 18. Letter of M.A. Warsi, Deputy Superintendent of Police, C.I.D., I.B. to who laid down their lives for the sake Assistant Inspector General of C.I.D. of the nation. The nation that has no Dated 09.12.1944, p. 2001 consciousness of its past has no future 19. Report of Deputy Superintendent of and my work is merely an attempt to Police, N.C. Mishra dated 03.05.1943. rediscover these precious gems who 20. Secret Letter of Tika Ram, Deputy Superintendent of police, I.B. dated somehow slipped from our hands due 22.02.1943, pps. 96-100. to sheer ignorance. 21. Progress Report no. 4 by Phool Chand Gupta, dated 15.10.1943, p.1391. REFERENCES 22. Letter To Tika Ram, Deputy 1. Manmath Nath Gupta, Bhagat Singh Superintendent of Police, C.I.D., I.B. to and His Times, p. 167 Superintendent of Police, dated 2. Bipin Chandra, National And Colonialism in 16.10.1943, p.1932 Modern India, p.228. 23. Advance copy of Judgement Report by 3. Manmath Nath Gupta, Bhagat Singh M.A. Warsi and Phool and His Times, p.54 Chand Gupta, dated 5.12.1944, pps. 4. Bipin Chandra, Nationalism and colonialism 1611-1612 In Modern India, p.235. 24. History sheets of persons involved in 5. Bipin Chandra, Nationalism and Kanpur Station Bomb case, reported by colonialism In Modern India, p.245 Phoochand to Colville, Superintendent of 6. Vachnesh Tripathi, Zara Yaad Karo Police Kanpur, pps.965-974 and Qurbani part 1; pps. 31, 33 statements on pages 2147-51, 2189, 2109- 7. Narayan Prasad Arora, Kanpur Ka 2119, 2151-59, 2447 etc. (File no. RR 27, Itihas, p.113 C.I.D. Investigation)

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