What Was The Role Of Vinayak Damodar Sawarkar In Indian Independence Movement?

Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, also known as Veer Savarkar, was a prominent figure in the Indian independence movement. He was a revolutionary, a politician, a writer, and an advocate of the Hindu nationalist ideology of Hindutva. He played various roles in the struggle for freedom, such as:

• He founded a secret society called the Abhinav Bharat Society, which aimed to overthrow British rule in India by violent means. He also joined other revolutionary groups such as India House and the Free India Society in London, where he inspired many young Indians to join the cause of independence.
• He wrote several books and pamphlets that challenged the British colonial narrative and exposed their atrocities. One of his most famous works was The Indian War of Independence, 1857, which portrayed the Indian Rebellion of 1857 as the first war of national liberation against the British Empire. This book was banned by the British authorities, and Savarkar was arrested for his involvement in revolutionary activities.
• He attempted to escape from the British custody while being transported to India for trial. He jumped off the ship SS Morea and swam to the shore of Marseilles, France, hoping to seek asylum there. However, he was captured by the French police and handed back to the British. This incident became known as the Marseilles episode and sparked an international controversy over the violation of Savarkar’s human rights.
• He was sentenced to two life terms of imprisonment totaling 50 years and was sent to the Cellular Jail in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where he faced harsh conditions and torture. He wrote several mercy petitions to the British government, renouncing his revolutionary activities and pledging loyalty to the British Crown. He was eventually released in 1924 on the condition that he would not participate in any political activities.
• He resumed his political career after his release and became a leader of the Hindu Mahasabha, a Hindu nationalist organization and political party. He popularized the concept of Hindutva, which defined Indian culture as a manifestation of Hindu values, and advocated for the creation of a Hindu Rashtra (Hindu Nation). He also opposed the idea of partitioning India on religious grounds and supported a united India that included all regions inhabited by Hindus.

Savarkar’s role in the Indian independence movement was controversial and debated. Some view him as a hero who fought bravely for India’s freedom, while others criticize him for his extremist views and collaboration with the British. His legacy remains influential in Indian politics and society today.

Source:
(1) Vinayak Damodar Savarkar | Biography, History, & Books. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Vinayak-Damodar-Savarkar.
(2) Vinayak Damodar Savarkar – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinayak_Damodar_Savarkar.
(3) Vinayak Damodar Savarkar Wiki, Age, Death, Wife, Children, Family …. https://wikibio.in/vinayak-damodar-savarkar/.
(4) Veer Savarkar: The Polemic Revolutionary – ClearIAS. https://www.clearias.com/veer-savarkar/.
(5) Veer Savarkar Life contributions to the Indian Freedom Movement – MindStick. https://yourviews.mindstick.com/view/85256/veer-savarkar-life-contributions-to-the-indian-freedom-movement.

I hope this answer has given you some insight into Savarkar’s role in the Indian independence movement. If you have any further questions, please feel free to leave them below. Thank you for reading! 😊.