Rang de Basanti

When my eyes fell upon this book called “Freedom War of 1857” in my grandpa`s library, the first question that came to my mind was why isn’t the title revolt or mutiny or otherwise frequently referred as rebellion? Because this is how our history books cast an impression of the great sacrifices our freedom fighters had made. So, why is it titled as ‘Swatantryasamar’ a freedom war? Well, had it been a revolt and that too just based on an issue of cartridges, British could have easily suppressed it. Had it been just a rebellion from few natives and sepoys, East India Company would not have faced almost a yearlong organized fight from all sections of society. In fact, this war was not borne out of a single event but was a volcanic outburst of suppressed emotions, intolerance to animalistic treatment and endless social, economic and religious exploitation over a period of a century ever since the battle of Plassay in 1757. I think it would be safe to say that issue of cartridges was just a trigger that blew up the bomb ticking for a long time beneath the British Raj.

Savarkar’s sole purpose behind writing this book was to revitalize the dying spirit of the Indian youth towards ‘Kranti’. To motivate young minds by making them realize that it was a war waged by those who sought freedom and not a mere rebellion as disparaged by most of the British writers. It was always for the love of Bharatbhu and not for any personal and communal welfare. He wanted to enlighten them by bringing forth, the gospel truth of what had started as a freedom fire with inspiring leadership and systematized battles, all in pursuit of a single goal of burning down the foreign rule; sadly burned down to its own ashes by pity intentions of few frauds and traitors among natives.

After defeating the nawab of bengal Siraj Ud daulah at plassay; East India Company started anchoring its firm roots deeper and deeper in Indian soil. Under the name of business and trade expansion, the company started dominating the native emperors. Emperors and native landlords, who never had bowed before anyone, now had to submit to the outsiders’ unreasonable demands. Annexation of empires into the company was carried out one after the other. Mughal nawabs and Hindu maharajas were forced to pay certain fraction of their income to the company. Landlords and title holders were denied their pensions and titles as the clauses were not applicable to their adopted heir. Slowly and steadily by 1856, entire Hindustan came under the rule of East India Company. The company also masterminded mass religious conversion into Christianity; especially amongst the Indian army by providing lucrative perks to those who would get converted.

Agitation and ferocity was all around. Bomb was ticking under the royal British chair ready to explode anytime. But this dark night of silent obsequiousness was about to end just after the dawn of 29^th March when the issue of greased cartridges broke the jinx and set the entire nation ablaze.

But before that, leaders like Nana sahib Peshve, Moulavi Ahmadshah, Vazeer Ali Naqqi Khan had secretly brought all freedom fighters which included peasants, farmers, landlords, traders, sadhus and soldiers under one roof. Plans for simultaneous attack in every corner of the British Empire were concocted and stealthily messaged to everyone. According to the plan, on 31^st May 1857, war had to be commenced. But a Soldier from 34^th regiment in Barakpur, named Mangal Pandey was brimming with anger and was eager to dethrone his white commandants. On March 29^th he broke open the fire assaulting two British officers. When kernel Wheeler heard about the incidence, he ordered other sepoys to capture Mangal Pandey. But to his surprise, no one even dared to touch that brave hearted man. Mangal Pandey felt that running away and getting hunted down by British would be an act of cowardice; but if one Mangal Pandey sacrifices himself for his soil then thousand more would rise up. If this Yadnya starts with Abhishek of Mangal Pandey’s blood then many more would shed their sweat and blood towards its completion. He was sentenced to be hanged till death. On 8^th April 1857, Mangal Pandey embraced death and his valiant soul stirred the entire nation to step forward.

The Motive behind the revolt was simple. To safeguard the very fundamental rights of humanity which British had stolen: Swaraj and Swadharma. The news of heroic deeds of Mangal Pandey spread everywhere like a wildfire. Now there was no point in waiting for 31^st May to dawn. One after the other regiments from Meerut, Delhi, Aligarh, Naseerabad, Banaras, Alahabad, Kanpur, Zansi and Ayodhya drew their swords. In all the regions they outnumbered British by a huge number. They embarked on destroying British buildings, Churches and offices, looted weapons and wealth, slayed every single British who came in their way. The army was led by some of the finest warriors like Nana sahib, Tatya Tope, Kuvar Singh, Amar Singh, Moulavi Ahmadshah and Rani Laxmi Bai.

                                                              

It was very interesting to read that the planning was carried out so secretly since a year and a half. More interesting was the fact that British rulers never doubted about what was cooking beneath their floors. Despite various regiments rising up against British, they felt that their soldiers would remain loyal to their commandants. But they were fools not to realize the very important fact that the eternal happiness and satisfaction is in serving our own Swaraj and Swadharma and not in being bullied under an outsider’s raj however lavish their offers may be.                                

When we read such awe inspiring tales where so many people are united under one goal, fight and even bleed to death while pursuing it but ultimately fail to achieve it; we wonder then what exactly went wrong. Rebels were more than 250000 against the British who were merely 50000. The development of the war tactics had been so secretive that even after the revolt began, British administration was totally clueless. British were already stuck in the battles with Nepal and China over the territory issues. They were frightened with the thought of what might happen if the Indian soldiers come to know about greased cartridges. So, everything was against the British rulers. Yet in the end they won. How did it happen??

Well, for any organization to survive, its foundation needs to be a rock solid one. Visionary governance, smooth planning and flawless execution are the main three pillars of the foundation. In case of the revolt of 1857, it received support almost from all over north India but not from the entire India. To make the situation worst, few regiments, nawabs and landlords supported the company by providing them monetary and military reinforcement whenever they needed. Most of the south India stayed aloof and preferred to be nothing but just spectators. They did not realize the importance of great sacrifice their brothers and sisters were committing; the ultimate goal they were seeking. Thus, rebellions failed to unite entire Hindustan under one banner.

Secondly, even if you are staying indifferent and contributing nothing that’s all right. But there are some people who don’t have dignity or self-respect at all. Sycophancy, that’s all they practiced and British rule, that is all they worshipped. One of the reasons for the fall of this great revolt was the betrayal by few backstabbers. It’s a shame to write that the root cause for the defeat was not the strength of the enemy but the weakness of our own army. The Mother India with her one eye would have shed tears for her courageous children who bled to death while trying to free her arms; while with other eye, must have cried out of regret for evil treachery her few children committed.

Thirdly, although the revolt was driven by a motive worth pursuing, but is it wise to say that only well-planned preparations for the revolt sufficient to reach out the goals? Shouldn’t the execution of the processes be well regulated with backup reinforcements if certain events go haywire? And what after the revolt? What after the rebellions succeed in throwing off the British Empire? Who will take the charge of the entire nation building? Who would govern the administration, judiciary and legislation? The rebellions had a motive to bring upon the change but were totally oblivious about its sustainability. These were few of the many such questions which remained unanswered to many people. The old issues would resurface. Again the same chaos, those old Hindus and Muslims, upper class and lower class, Brahmins & shudras and what not. If ultimately you are throwing off existing harsh rules and promise no headway, then why die for no reason? Thus, so many Indians turned a back upon the revolt.

So these were the lessons this great revolt taught us. Steve Jobs had said once; that the dots cannot be connected looking forward. They are always connected looking backward. We draw inspirations from the heroic patriotisms of freedom fighters, visionary leaderships of kings and queens; we learn virtues of morality and ethics, brilliant science wealth and rich cultural heritage which otherwise would have lost in the ocean of oblivion. We also critique on the failures of then civilizations and insane religious rituals practiced at that time. Thus, history gives us a glimpse of what had happened before and guides us for what we should do in future to avoid such troubles.

  

There was a reason which stirred everyone to march forward during the revolt. Be it Hindu or Muslim, Brahmin or Shudra, rich or poor; Freedom War of 1857 brought natives together and they all fought united under one roof. At least for that period everyone had forgotten their caste and religion. All they knew was that they all were brave sons and daughters of Hind Mata wanting to see her free from foreign rule. Well, similar is the situation now. Our Nirbhaya is being attacked by some wicked minds across the country. Their immoral behavior is getting encouraged by milder law and order and by a society which is still a patriarchal one. Every day in news, I come across some or the other minor or major cases related to harassments of women. This is omnipresent. Be it day time or late night hours, S.T. bus or railway compartments, Shops, malls or even in internal family affairs; she is strangled, suffocated and she is screaming out for a helping hand.

Everybody knows our National pledge by heart but knows no significance of the second line “All Indians are my brothers and sisters”. They are uneducated when it comes to controlling their physical urges instead of helping out a poor lonely girl. Men boasting on their qualification degrees, self-proclaimed Gods or Netas, businessmen, young collegians, everyone is responsible for the atrocity she suffers. Their all qualification degrees, status, religion, castes vanish ephemerally and permit them to torture, harass or abuse vulnerable ones whenever and however they wish. How could we behave like this with our sisters? Would we enjoy seeing/reading/gossiping people about the fate she endured?

So what should be done to curb this mess? Very simple!! Wait for a “not from your house” woman to be in jeopardy, to make a fuss across the country and die eventually. Then with some fancy slogans get down on the streets, just blindly join the mob and start protesting against the government; beat couples sitting privately in pubs and gardens; Lock up our sisters in their own houses after the night while let men wander even in the unearthly hours; compel them to wear what only men think is right; beat them or at times even kill if they are in relations with someone not belonging to their caste. Sounds heroic? Male chauvinism huh ?  Or if you are some sort of nonviolence adherent, hold some candlelight march or form a human chain exhibiting disapproval in Gandhiji style. Simplest of all, just be a bystander; sitting on a couch, sipping hot morning tea; read the news and express condolences for the unfortunate ones and thank Gods for she wasn’t from your home. Are womankind born to be the slaves in daytime and entertainment toys at night?  Are we going to wait for someone from our own house to face the fate?

Well, I`m not going to dwell on what our neta log or social activists should do because it hardly makes sense to wait for someone else to take control of cleaning my house. This attitude of ours to wait for someone to appear with a magical wand and solve our problems has already worsened our will to bring the change. So to bring this change; measures right from the grass root level need to be amended. Very fundamental change would be a change in our perception of who is responsible for this. I.e. change from ‘we’ to ‘I’ is necessary. Let us stop saying that we or they are responsible for all this mess. Instead of ‘we are’ say ‘I am’. Because only when every individual will understand that this is his/her duty to right all the wrongs, real reformer within shall awake. That awakening will be from the depth of their hearts, spiced with honest motives. First I will bring the change within myself that I seek in others. I will respect her, give her the liberty she earlier only fancied, help her in her needs; stand rock solid by her in difficulties and together with mutual cooperation, let’s climb this step one honestly.    

Secondly, our education system is gravely inefficient to provide necessary value education. And by value education I don’t mean only what we listen in schools with sleepy eyes. One of the steps might be to make it in a much more broader and inclusive, rather than just thinking of it in terms of grades, degrees and vocational skills. In fact this value education continues ever since we are born till we are dead. It takes time to understand. What you were thinking is right four years back, now you may realize that it is wrong and vice versa. What you listen is knowledge but it needs to be well comprehended to make it a wisdom. That is why focus of education should be more not on plain memorization but on understandability, thinking and implementation of the moral lessons in our day to day life. So, a way to start would be to add explicit elements of social and moral responsibility within the educational curriculum of young people right at the school level. These classes (preferably co aided) should be rich in discussions over issues ranging from current topics to our ancient cultures and traditions without any awkward feelings or hesitations. Field visits should be opulent in practical learning and not just picnic oriented. Students will work closely on diverse issues; they will be exposed to the real world which no textbook can even highlight. New ideas and thought should be encouraged; while good virtues from old cultures should also be respected. Students should be able to learn where to draw a line rather than someone else to define a line for them.

Thus, against this demon of inhumane attitude, there is a need to revolt with weapons like self-initiated stance and an education of moral principles. This revolt needs to start right from our own houses. It will not come to its fruition in a day or a month or even a year. But sooner or later I imagine India with a culture where men and women are working, progressing and achieving their goals standing shoulder to shoulder, having no fear and uncomfort. I imagine India which inspires women to be fearless, bold and confident in chasing their dreams, guarding their families just as Zansi ki rani Laxmibai. I envision people with a mindset which values noble virtues, filters out the dogma of bad elements of old culture and embraces newer and purer qualities from every corner of the world. Let us remember and try our best to implement in our lives the great saying by Ved Vyaas "Paropakaraya Punyaya, Papaya Para Peedanam "