Swaraj@ 75: An overview of the Struggle for Independence

Organiser Bureau

Lakhs of countrymen lost their lives. The British committed massacres. A spirit of nationalism was ignited. Little wonder, a myth was spread that the First War of Independence was limited only to Northern parts of India. In reality, the whole of Bharat fought this war

Every Indian will feel proud hearing the events of the War of Independence of 1857. This war was the most phenomenal, stupendous, surprising and unparalleled event in the history of the world. The War of Independence shook the whole world as it was the first challenge anywhere to the imperialist British rule by organised rebellions of Indians across the country. Lakhs of people lost their lives. The British not only committed massacres but indulged in robbery as well. This war went on for more than a year.

Facts about the War of Independence also give us an insight into the causes that led to the war, the kind of efforts that went into it and its effect on the social life of the country. Here are a few facts about the 1857 War of Independence that is sure to increase one’s interest in the unparalleled phenomenon.

• A myth was spread that the war was limited only to Northern parts of India. But in actuality, the whole of Bharat had fought this war. The whole country fought as one irrespective of caste and creed. Soldiers, landlords, farmers, laborers, poor, Dalits, women and intellectuals, everyone fought together in the war. Justice Macarthy has written in his ‘History of Our Times’ that, “The reality is that the revolt was affected by the people of entire Northern and North-Western regions of the country”.
• The War of 1857 was not just some eccentric indulgence of a few kings and their soldiers who were in power. It was a planned collective effort. Although the war did not give the expected results and some term it as a failure, the war paved the way for a future where Indians stand up together and fight. In spite of all the brutality the Britishers heaped on the Indians, they failed to curb their desire for Independence.
• It is said that the British killed the intense desire of Indians for Independence. As a matter of fact the war was the beginning of a joint effort for Independence. It was also claimed that the British quashed rebellion as easily as flicking away a fly on one’s shoulders, but the fact remains that the War for Independence affected the future course of action of Indians across all regions.
• Those who participated and contributed to the struggle for Independence in 1857 are venerable forever. Veer Savarkar wrote, “Those who did not have courage or strength but only prayed that their nation should be free from foreign rule also played a role in this fight for independence.”

Three other important aspects of the 1857 War of Independence:

• Satyagraha and armed rebellions for Independence were carried out by various individuals and organisations.
• The environment for the Independence struggle was also set by those who travelled to foreign shores.
• Satyagraha and protests happened all over India across the regions and not just few pockets

Overview of the Struggle for Independence

• Sardar Panikar in “A survey of Indian history” writes everyone during the War of Independence had only one common desire - to throw the British out and make India Independent. In this light, it certainly cannot be called a mere protest or a sporadic rebellion. It was in fact a great national uprising.
• Tatya Tope during his trial at Shivpuri had told the judge, “I know very well that we will have to face death because of our uprising against the Britishers. Neither I need a court nor be part of any case”.
• Vasudev Balwant Phadke in his call to all Indians said, “O Indians! Why should I not accept death just as Maharshi Dadheechi did? By sacrificing myself why should I not try to free you from slavery and sorrow? My final greetings to you all.”
• ‘Amrit Bazar Patrika’ in its November 1879 edition had written this about Vasudev Balwant Phadke - “He was an amalgamation of the qualities of all great men who came to this world for an important cause. He was a messenger of the Almighty. The greatness of his personality was akin to comparing the height of a common man to that of the Satpura or Himalayas.”