Discover the Berlin Committee's role in inciting rebellion and the 1915 Singapore mutiny. Understand the global revolutionary efforts and their repercussions.
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Revolutionary Activities in Europe and Asia
Berlin Committee and Revolutionary Activities in Europe
Formation of the Berlin Committee: Established in 1915 by Virendranath Chattopadhyay, Bhupendranath Dutta, Lala Hardayal, and others, the Berlin Committee for Indian Independence was supported by the German foreign office under the ‘Zimmerman Plan’. Its goal was to mobilize Indian expatriates to aid the independence movement by sending volunteers and arms to India, inciting rebellion among Indian troops, and organizing an armed invasion of British India.
Objectives and Missions: The committee aimed to destabilize British rule in India through a coordinated revolutionary effort. They sent missions to Baghdad, Persia, Turkey, and Kabul to engage with Indian troops and prisoners of war (POWs) to foster anti-British sentiments. A notable mission led by Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh, Barkatullah, and Obaidullah Sindhi was sent to Kabul to establish a ‘provisional Indian government’ with the assistance of the Afghan crown prince, Amanullah. This effort sought to create a government-in-exile and rally support for the cause of Indian independence.
Impact and Legacy: While these efforts did not result in immediate success, they represented significant attempts to galvanize international support and coordinate revolutionary activities against British colonial rule. The Berlin Committee's initiatives highlighted the transnational dimension of the Indian independence movement and its connections with global anti-colonial struggles.
Details of the Mutiny: The mutiny occurred on February 15, 1915, when the Punjabi Muslim 5th Light Infantry and the 36th Sikh battalion, led by Jamadar Chisti Khan, Jamadar Abdul Gani, and Subedar Daud Khan, revolted against British authority in Singapore. The mutiny was a part of a broader wave of unrest among Indian troops stationed abroad.
Outcome and Repression: The mutiny was suppressed after a fierce battle, resulting in numerous casualties. In the aftermath, 37 participants were executed, and 41 others were sentenced to life transportation. The British authorities took severe measures to prevent future uprisings, reflecting the broader context of colonial repression during World War I.
Significance: This mutiny exemplified the growing discontent among Indian soldiers and the potential for coordinated resistance against British rule. It also highlighted the challenges faced by the British in maintaining control over their colonial troops during a period of global conflict.
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