Veer Savarkar, also known as Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, was an Indian independence activist, writer, and politician who played a significant role in the Indian freedom struggle. He was born on May 28, 1883, in Bhagur, a small town in Maharashtra, India, and died on February 26, 19
Veer Savarkar, also known as Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, was an Indian independence activist, writer, and politician who played a significant role in the Indian freedom struggle. He was born on May 28, 1883, in Bhagur, a small town in Maharashtra, India, and died on February 26, 1966, in Mumbai.
Savarkar was one of the founders of the Hindu nationalist ideology and a key figure in the Indian nationalist movement. He was a proponent of the concept of Hindutva, which sought to unite all people of Indian origin, regardless of religion, under a common national identity based on Hindu culture and traditions.
Savarkar was an advocate of armed resistance against British colonial rule in India and was arrested in 1910 for his involvement in revolutionary activities. He was sentenced to life imprisonment in the Cellular Jail in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where he spent several years.
Savarkar was a prolific writer and penned several books and essays, including “Hindutva: Who is a Hindu?”, “The Indian War of Independence”, and “Essentials of Hindutva”. He was also a vocal critic of Mahatma Gandhi and the Indian National Congress, and his ideas and beliefs have been a subject of much debate and controversy.
Savarkar remains a controversial figure in Indian history, with some regarding him as a freedom fighter and nationalist hero, while others view him as a divisive and polarizing figure due to his association with Hindu nationalism and his alleged involvement in the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi.
“Essentials of Hindutva”
“Essentials of Hindutva” is a book written by Veer Savarkar in 1923, which outlines the key principles of Hindutva, a term that he coined. Hindutva is a nationalist ideology that seeks to unite all people of Indian origin, regardless of their religion, under a common national identity based on Hindu culture and traditions.
The book discusses the historical, cultural, and spiritual aspects of the Hindu civilization and argues that Hindus need to unite to counter the threat posed by other religions and cultures. It calls for a revival of Hindu nationalism and emphasizes the importance of Hindu unity in the face of external threats.
Savarkar argues that Hindutva is not just a religious or cultural identity, but a political one as well. He emphasizes the need for Hindus to take an active role in politics and work towards the establishment of a Hindu Rashtra, or a Hindu nation-state.
The book also discusses the role of minorities in a Hindu Rashtra and argues that they should be treated as equal citizens as long as they accept the supremacy of Hindu culture and values.
“Essentials of Hindutva” has been a controversial and divisive book, with some viewing it as a call for Hindu supremacy and others seeing it as a call for Hindu unity and national identity. The book has been a subject of much debate and has been a source of inspiration for many right-wing Hindu nationalist organizations in India.
“The Indian War of Independence”
“The Indian War of Independence 1857” is a book written by Veer Savarkar in 1909, in which he argued that the Indian Rebellion of 1857 was not a mere “Sepoy Mutiny”, as it was commonly called, but a full-fledged war of independence against British colonial rule in India.
Savarkar’s book challenged the British view of the rebellion as a mere mutiny of Indian soldiers and instead portrayed it as a mass uprising against British colonialism. He argued that the rebellion was a conscious and coordinated effort by Indian freedom fighters to overthrow British rule and re-establish Indian sovereignty.
The book highlights the role of Indian leaders like Rani Lakshmibai, Tantia Tope, and Bahadur Shah Zafar in the rebellion and argues that they were not just local leaders but part of a larger movement of Indian nationalists fighting for independence.
Savarkar’s book had a significant impact on the Indian freedom struggle, inspiring many nationalists to take up the cause of Indian independence. It also helped to reshape the way the rebellion was viewed in Indian historiography, moving it away from the British narrative of a mutiny and towards an Indian perspective of a war of independence.
Overall, “The Indian War of Independence 1857” is an important work in Indian historiography and remains relevant today as a reminder of India’s struggle for freedom from British colonialism.
Hindutva: Who is a Hindu?
“Hindutva: Who is a Hindu?” is a book written by Veer Savarkar in 1923, which explores the concept of Hindutva and defines who can be considered a Hindu.
In the book, Savarkar argues that Hindutva is not just a religion or a way of life but a political and cultural identity that unites all people of Indian origin. He defines a Hindu as someone who considers India as his or her motherland, respects its culture and civilization, and accepts the supremacy of the Hindu way of life.
Savarkar also discusses the historical, cultural, and spiritual aspects of Hinduism, arguing that it is not just a religion but a way of life that encompasses all aspects of human existence. He emphasizes the importance of Hindu unity and the need for Hindus to take pride in their culture and traditions.
The book also discusses the role of minorities in a Hindu Rashtra and argues that they should be treated as equal citizens as long as they accept the supremacy of Hindu culture and values. However, Savarkar’s views on minorities have been controversial, with some accusing him of promoting Hindu supremacy and intolerance towards non-Hindus.
Overall, “Hindutva: Who is a Hindu?” has been a seminal work in the development of Hindu nationalism in India and has influenced the political discourse in the country for decades. The book has been a subject of much debate and controversy, with some viewing it as a call for Hindu unity and national identity and others seeing it as a call for Hindu supremacy and exclusion of minorities.
