The early 20th century in India witnessed a surge in revolutionary activities across various regions. In Bengal, the Anushilan Samiti led significant actions, including bombings and the Alipore Conspiracy Case. In Maharashtra, figures like Vasudev Balwant Phadke and the Chapekar brothers spearheaded armed revolts, while Savarkar's Mitra Mela played a crucial role in the Nasik conspiracy. Punjab's revolutionary fervor, fueled by socio-economic grievances and inspired by Bengal, saw prominent leaders like Lala Lajpat Rai and Ajit Singh, with notable activities during WWI led by Rashbehari Bose and Bagha Jatin.
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A Survey of Revolutionary Activities: Anushilan Samiti, Alipore Conspiracy, Chapekar Brothers, Abhinav Bharat
Origin: By the 1870s, Calcutta’s student community was infiltrated by secret societies. The first revolutionary groups were organized in 1902 in Midnapore (under Jnanendranath Basu) and Calcutta (Anushilan Samiti founded by Promotha Mitter and including Jatindranath Banerjee, Barindra Kumar Ghosh, and others).
Early Activities: Their activities were initially limited to physical and moral training, gaining prominence in 1907-08.
Significant Actions:
In April 1906, Yugantar was launched by an inner circle within Anushilan, advocating revolutionary violence.
Rashbehari Bose and Sachin Sanyal organized a secret society covering Punjab, Delhi, and United Provinces.
In 1907, an abortive attempt was made on the life of Sir Fuller, Lt. Governor of Eastern Bengal and Assam.
Several attempts were made on British officials' lives, including the bombing by Prafulla Chaki and Khudiram Bose in 1908, leading to the death of two British women.
Alipore Conspiracy Case: The whole Anushilan group was arrested, including the Ghosh brothers, leading to a trial where Aurobindo was acquitted, but Barindra Ghosh and Ullaskar Dutt were sentenced to life imprisonment.
Impact: Revolutionary activities gained prominence, though they were eventually suppressed by State repression. Revolutionary activity emerged as the most substantial legacy of Swadeshi Bengal, influencing educated youth for generations.
Later Developments:
During World War I, the Jugantar party, led by Bagha Jatin, attempted to import German arms for an all-India insurrection known as the German Plot, but the plan was foiled.
Jatin Mukherjee died in a heroic gunfight in Balasore, Orissa, in September 1915.
Revolutionary Activities in Maharashtra and Punjab
Vasudev Balwant Phadke organized the Ramosi Peasant Force in 1879, aiming to instigate an armed revolt against the British by disrupting communication lines and raising funds through dacoities.
Tilak’s disciples, the Chapekar brothers, murdered British officials in 1897, leading to increased revolutionary fervor.
Savarkar and his brother founded Mitra Mela in 1899, later merging with Abhinav Bharat in 1904, which played a key role in the Nasik conspiracy.
In 1909, A.M.T. Jackson, the Collector of Nasik, was assassinated by Anant Lakshman Kanhere, a member of Abhinav Bharat.
Savarkar, along with his brothers, was the key figure behind the conspiracy, leading to his sentencing to transportation for life.
Punjab:
Punjab extremism was fueled by socio-economic grievances, such as frequent famines, rising land revenue, and irrigation taxes.
Lala Lajpat Rai and Ajit Singh were prominent leaders; the latter organized the extremist Anjuman-i-Mohisban-i-Watan in Lahore.
During World War I, Rashbehari Bose played a significant role in the Ghadr Revolution, collaborating with Bagha Jatin for an all-India armed rising, though the plan did not succeed, and Bose escaped to Japan in 1915.
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