In the annals of India’s struggle for independence, the role of revolutionary activities abroad stands as a crucial yet often overlooked aspect. From the bustling streets of London to the cafes of Paris, and the halls of Berlin to the ports of Singapore, Indian revolutionaries found allies, resources, and platforms to advance their cause beyond the confines of the subcontinent. The diaspora of Indian nationalists, intellectuals, and activists scattered across the globe played a significant role in shaping the narrative of resistance against British colonial rule. Establishing organizations like India House in London and the Paris India Society, these individuals advocated for home rule and propagated revolutionary ideologies aimed at liberating their homeland.
Revolutionary activities in foreign countries, like London, France, Germany, and Singapore, were important for India’s independence struggle. Indian revolutionaries created groups such as India House and the Paris India Society to support self-rule and spread revolutionary ideas. They used methods like assassinations, publishing materials, and raising the Indian flag to push for change. The Singapore Mutiny in 1915, connected to the Ghadar Conspiracy, showed that British colonial rule wasn’t as strong as it seemed. These events had a big impact on India’s fight for independence and helped lead to India gaining freedom from British rule.
Revolutionary Activities in London
Formation of Indian Home Rule Society/India House:
- In 1905, Shyamji Krishnavarma established the Indian Home Rule Society, known as India House, in London.
- India House served as a hub for Indian students and sought to recruit radical youth from India committed to achieving Indian independence.
Activities of India House:
- India House provided support for Indian students and facilitated discussions on the idea of home rule for India.
- The society published The Sociologist journal, which helped disseminate their ideas and raise awareness about their cause.
Members of India House:
- Renowned revolutionaries like Vinayak Damodar Savarkar and Har Dayal were associated with India House.
- They actively engaged in the society’s activities, contributing to the revolutionary movement for Indian independence.
Assassination of Curzon-Wyllie:
- In 1909, Madanlal Dhingra, a member of India House, assassinated Sir William Hutt Curzon-Wyllie, a British bureaucrat at the India Office.
- Dhingra’s act of violence was seen as a response to British oppression in India.
Safety Concerns and Extradition of Savarkar:
- Revolutionaries at India House faced growing safety concerns in London.
- Vinayak Damodar Savarkar’s extradition in 1910 and subsequent imprisonment in the Nasik conspiracy case heightened surveillance and pressure from British authorities, making London unsafe for their activities.
Revolutionary Activities In France
Madam Bhikaji Cama’s Revolutionary Activities: Madam Bhikaji Cama, a Parsi woman from Gujarat, led revolutionary efforts from Paris and Geneva, advocating for Indian independence.
Establishment of Paris India Society: With the help of Munchershah Burjorji Godrej and S R Rana, Madam Cama founded the Paris India Society in 1905, supporting the cause of Indian independence.
Bande Mataram Journal: The Paris India Society published Bande Mataram, a revolutionary journal, with the first issue released on September 10, 1909, edited by Lala Hardayal.
Funding for Talvar Journal: Madam Cama provided funding for Virendranath Chattopadhyaya to publish the Talvar journal, honoring Madan Lal Dhingra, another prominent revolutionary.
Raising the First Indian Flag: On August 3, 1907, at the International Socialist Conference in Stuttgart, Madam Cama raised the first Indian flag, designed by herself, Veer Savarkar, and Shyamji Krishna Verma, featuring eight lotuses and the words “Vande Mataram” in Hindi on a saffron stripe.
Ties with Socialist Party and Russian Exiles: Madam Cama maintained close connections with the socialist party and Russian exiles living in Paris, which aided her in advancing the cause of Indian independence.
Mother of the Indian Revolutionaries: Madam Bhikaji Cama earned the title of “Mother of the Indian Revolutionaries” due to her significant contributions to the independence movement.
Indian Independence Drive in Germany
Berlin Committee for Indian Independence: The Berlin Committee for Indian Independence was established in 1915 by Virendranath Chattopadhyaya, Bhupendranath Dutta, Lala Hardayal, and others, with support from the German office and in line with the Zimmerman Plan.
Objective: The main goal was to organize an armed uprising by Indian troops to free Indian territory, mobilizing Indian settlers abroad and providing them with volunteers, weapons, and ammunition.
Formation of Provisional Government: Another aim was to create a Provisional Indian Government, with assistance sought from Crown Prince Amanullah. A mission was sent to Kabul, led by Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh, Barkatullah, and Obaidullah Sindhi.
Missions for Support: To garner backing from Indian troops and prisoners of war, missions were dispatched to Baghdad, Persia, Turkey, and Kabul.
Journal: The Talvar journal, a Revolutionary Activities publication, played a crucial role in disseminating information and connecting revolutionaries. It served as a platform for exchanging ideas and coordinating activities within the movement.
Singapore Mutiny 1915
Composition of the 5th Light Infantry: The Singapore Mutiny of 1915 involved the Indian 5th Light Infantry, a regiment made up entirely of Muslim troops, which played a vital role in the island’s defense.
Uprising and disruption: The mutiny started around 3 p.m. with gunfire. Mutineers broke into the magazine and cut military phone lines, disrupting communication.
Absence of British officers: British officers of the regiment were off duty during the uprising, which slowed the spread of news and delayed calls for police help.
Attacks in Chinatown: Some mutineers went to Singapore’s Chinatown, killing encountered British individuals, indicating a violent and anti-British sentiment.
Tanglin Camp and German prisoners: Another group went to Tanglin Camp, offering guns and freedom to German internees and prisoners of war, but they refused due to colonial hierarchies.
Attacks on soldiers and civilians: A total of 47 soldiers and civilians, mostly British men, were killed during the mutiny. Some victims were Chinese and Malays.
Evacuation and racial tensions: British women and children sought refuge on steamers in the harbor, causing racial tension as Eurasian and Asian women tried to join them.
Loss of control and societal fragility: Lasting two days, the mutiny temporarily disrupted British control over their colonial stronghold, revealing the vulnerability of colonial society and the stability of British rule.
In conclusion, the revolutionary actions carried out in foreign countries like London, France, Germany, and Singapore played a big part in India’s fight for independence. These actions included forming groups, printing materials, carrying out targeted killings, and important events like the Singapore Mutiny. The aim was to push for self-rule, spread awareness, and stir up dissatisfaction among Indian soldiers against British rule. Despite facing difficulties and repression, these efforts contributed to the wider movement for Indian independence and paved the way for the country’s freedom. The activities abroad showed how determined and strong Indian revolutionaries were in their struggle for liberty.
Also Read: Revolutionary Activities in Punjab, Revolutionary Activities in Maharashtra, Revolutionary Activities in Bengal.