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Shyamji Krishna Varma
Context:
167th Birth Anniversary of Shyamji Krishna Varma.
About:
- Shyamji Krishna Varma was a prominent Indian revolutionary, lawyer, and journalist whose contributions significantly shaped the Indian freedom movement.
- Born in Mandvi, Gujarat, he was a scholar in Sanskrit and English, and he became the first Indian to earn an MA from Oxford University.
- His early career included serving as a barrister and as the Diwan of several princely states in India before he turned his focus towards political activism against British colonial rule.
Key Contributions to the Freedom Movement:
- Founding of India House and the Indian Home Rule Society: In 1905, Shyamji established the Indian Home Rule Society and India House in London.
- These institutions became pivotal in promoting nationalist sentiments among Indian students and expatriates in Britain.
- India House served as a meeting point for radical nationalists, while The Indian Sociologist, a monthly publication he founded, provided a platform for disseminating revolutionary ideas and critiques of British rule.
- Advocacy for Independence: Through his writings and speeches, Shyamji Krishna Varma advocated for complete independence from British rule.
- He was influenced by cultural nationalists like Swami Dayanand Saraswati and philosophers such as Herbert Spencer, whose ideas on resistance to oppression resonated with his own beliefs.
- His declaration that “Resistance to aggression is not simply justified but imperative” encapsulated his approach to activism.
- Shift to Paris and Continued Activism: Due to increasing scrutiny from British authorities, Shyamji relocated to Paris in 1907, where he continued his revolutionary activities.
- He collaborated with other notable figures like Veer Savarkar and Bhikaji Cama, furthering the cause of Indian independence from abroad.
- His efforts were instrumental in galvanising support among Indians living overseas, fostering a sense of unity against colonial oppression.
- Legacy and Recognition: Shyamji’s legacy is commemorated through various memorials, including the Kranti Teerth, which houses a replica of India House and serves as a tribute to his contributions to the freedom struggle.
- In 2015, he was posthumously reinstated as a barrister by the Inner Temple, recognising the unfair treatment he received during his lifetime due to his political beliefs.
- His impact on the nationalist movement is remembered as foundational in inspiring future generations to continue the fight for India’s independence.