Swatantryaveer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar
Why in News?
Swatantryaveer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar is prominently in the news because India is celebrating his 143rd birth anniversary (Savarkar Jayanti) on May 28, 2026.
Early Life and Foundations
- Birth & Roots: Born on May 28, 1883, in Bhagur village, Nashik district, Maharashtra.
- Secret Revolutionary Societies: Founded Mitra Mela in 1899, which expanded into the prominent underground revolutionary network Abhinav Bharat Society in 1904.
- Foreign Base: Travelled to London in 1906, where he joined and led India House and the Free India Society to mobilize Indian students toward armed rebellion.
Revolutionary Struggle and Imprisonment
- Nasik Conspiracy Case (1910): Arrested by the British for allegedly plotting an armed revolt, smuggling Browning handguns, and abetting the assassination of Nashik District Collector A.M.T. Jackson.
- The Marseilles Escape: Achieved legendary status by leaping through a porthole into the sea to escape British custody when his transport ship docked at Marseilles, France, though he was recaptured shortly after.
- Double Life Sentence (Kala Pani): Convicted and sentenced to an unprecedented two consecutive life terms (50 years). He was deported in 1911 to the brutal Cellular Jail in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- Release: He was moved out of Cellular Jail in 1921 and released from confinement in 1924 under strict conditions to renounce revolutionary violence, following multiple mercy petitions.
Ideology and Literary Contributions
- Originator of "Hindutva": Authored the seminal book Hindutva: Who is a Hindu? while in prison, coining and establishing the core socio-political definition of cultural Hindu nationalism.
- 1857 Rebellion Re-evaluation: Authored The Indian War of Independence, 1857, famously being the first to term the 1857 uprising as India's "First War of Independence" rather than a mere "Sepoy Mutiny".
- Political Leadership: Served as the President of the Hindu Mahasabha from 1937 to 1943, heavily opposing the Partition of India and criticizing the Indian National Congress’s policies.
Social Reforms
- Abolition of Untouchability: Strongly advocated against the rigid Hindu caste hierarchy, holding inter-caste community dining programs.
- Patit Pavan Mandir: Established the historic Patit Pavan Temple in Ratnagiri, built specifically to allow entry to all Hindus, including Dalits.
Death
- Atmaarpana (Fast unto Death): Passed away on February 26, 1966, after choosing Prayopaveshana (fasting unto death), declaring that his life's mission for a free nation was accomplished.
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