Many people sacrificed their lives in the struggle for the freedom of India. But there were some great personalities who not only sacrificed their lives but also inspired thousands and thousands of people to fight for freedom. One such great revolutionary was —— Sachindranath Sanyal.
Who was Sachindra Nath Sanyal? Congress and Marxists made a malafide attempt to keep this greatest revolutionary in oblivion after independence. Why the struggles of this greatest revolutionary could not find a place in the history books.
A Glimpse of Sachin Da’s Contribution in India’s Freedom Struggle.
Sachindra Nath Sanyal spent twenty one years in prison out of fifty years of his life.
Sachindra Nath Sanyal was the only revolutionary who was sentenced to life imprisonment twice.
Sachindra Nath Sanyal also had three younger brothers. Jitendra Nath Sanyal, Rabindra Nath Sanyal, Bhupendra Nath Sanyal. Brothers of Sachindra Nath Sanyal were also active in the armed freedom struggle, due to which all these brothers also had to go to prison many times. and spent years in jail in the freedom struggle.
The book “Bandi – jeevan”(A LIFE OF CAPTIVITY ) written by Sachindra Nath Sanyal is called the Bible of Indian revolutionaries, which was translated into more than twenty-eight languages and countless people who read this book chose the path of revolution for the independence of the country.
Sachindra nath Sanyal was the founder of “Hindustan Republican Association”
Sanyal was a close associate of the famous revolutionary Rash Bihari and Subhash Chandra Bose. Sachindra Nath Sanyal was the political teacher (GURU) of great revolutionaries like Chandrashekhar Azad, Bhagat Singh, Trilokya Chakraborty, Bhagwati Charan Vohra, Nalini Kishore Guh, Baba Prithvi Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru, Lala Hardayal, Ajit Singh . Sachindra Nath Sanyal was popularly known as Sachin Da among revolutionaries.
This country and countrymen will always be indebted to Sachin Da. His entire family struggled for the freedom of the country, Hardly any other example can be found. Sachindranath Sanyal was not only a revolutionary, a great philosopher, writer, teacher and creator of the entire army of revolutionaries. There is no revolutionary who wasn’t influenced by Sachindra da. Sachindra Nath Sanyal was a great warrior who attempted to re-arm revolution in India after the revolt of 1857. Well, I personally like to evaluate any person on the basis of work, not on the basis of that person’s family, and personal relationships, but Sachindra Sanyal’s subject is something very different . Sachin da’s never giving up and striving nature was developed by his family. Apart from this, very little has been written on Sachindranath Sanyal, and that is why very few people know about him so I decided to write this post to make more and more people acquainted with Sachin Da.
Life introduction:-
Sachindranath Sanyal was born on 3rd June 1893 in his ancestral residence in Madanpura locality of Varanasi. His father Harinath Sanyal was a nationalist person. His mother Kshirodhavasini was an indomitable, courageous and pious woman. They raised their children in a nationalist environment. His father was an accountant in the army. He was transferred from place to place. Due to which the childhood of Shachindranath Sanyal was spent in cities like Kolkata, Banaras, Peshawar etc. Two childhood incidents which reveal Sachin da’s nature and determination.
When Sachin da’s father was posted in Shimla (the summer capital of those days) he once saved his younger brother Jitendra by risking his life. (he saved the life of his younger brother who had slipped and was about to fall from the hill of Shimla)
Once a young British horse rider had pushed his mother while riding a horse, on which Sachindra da beat up that defiant young man. His father died in 1908, due to which Sachin Da’s family shifted to their ancestral house in Banaras (Varanasi). For more information about this subject please visit :- https://nithinks.com/2021/06/20/yoga-how-tech-yogi-saw-the-light-of-the-future-in-the-brahmastra-of-the-hindu-nationalists/
To understand Sachin Da, one has to understand that era. The era of the nineteenth century was the era of “renaissance of India and mainly of Bengal”. The national movement was getting social, political, economic and moral support from this Bengal renaissance. Poems of Michael Madhusudan Dutt, Ranglal Bandyopadhyay, with national sentiment And most importantly —– Bankim Chandra Chatterjee.
Bankim Chandra Chatterjee reinterpreted the Gita, the holy book of the Hindus. Durgeshnandini, Anand Math and Devi Chaudharani written by Bankimchandra also presented armed rebellion against injustice as an ideal. अहिंसा परमो धर्मः धर्म हिंसा यथैव च. Non Violence is the ultimate religion (Dharma) So too is violence in service of Dharma. Even killing a Brahman who has come to kill you is not a sin. Shri Krishna chanted the mantra of Shakti during Kurukshetra, encouraging Arjuna the war-bearer. After a long time, those mantras again filled the youth with hope. In his novel Anand Math, Bankim Chandra wrote the valor of the revolutionaries who challenged the British and made the Indians realize that freedom is their first right, which is the solemn duty of every Indian to achieve. The novel, based on the revolt of the monks of Bengal against British imperialism, had a song on the worship of the motherland. The title of this song was —- Vande Mataram. Later this title became the epitome of opposition to British imperialism. Its popularity can be understood from the fact that it was accepted for greetings throughout the country. The exploitation of British imperialism had created discontent throughout the country. The freedom struggle of 1857, the French Revolution, the Irish struggle, Japan’s victory in the Russia-Japanese War had strengthened the spirit of nationalism. Harinath Sanyal, influenced by the spirit of nationalism, admitted Sachindra and his younger brother to the Anushilan Samiti. Along with the exercise, the youth were also imparted the education of nationalism. Gradually such organizations were becoming popular among educated middle class youth in other parts of the country as well.
ANUSHILAN :-(To give serious thought to a subject).
It was founded by Satish Chandra Basu in 1902. It was also known as the first school of revolutionaries.
It is clear from seeing the symbol of Anushilan Samiti that this committee had a firm belief in the concept of motherland of Bankim Chandra Chatterjee. The only objective of this organization was to prepare the members of Anushilan Samiti for any sacrifice for the motherland. Here the map of united India, and in clear letters, “जननी जन्म-भूमिश्च स्वर्गादपि गरियसी” (MOTHER AND MOTHERLAND ARE SUPERIOR EVEN TO HEAVEN) can be seen. For more information about this subject please visit :- https://nithinks.com/2021/01/25/bharat-mata-mandirmother-india-temple-and-vande-mataram/
After 1885, Ramesh Chandra Dutt, and Dadabhai Naoroji also started to attribute the poverty of India to British imperialism in the Congress sessions. In the famine of 1887-90, lakhs of people died in Bengal, the 1905 break-up(Bengal partition ) further ignited the flame of revolution. Swadeshi Swaraj, and boycott of foreign goods gained more momentum. Leaving the path of persuasion in the freedom movement, Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal, Lala Lajpat Rai (Garam-Dal) came out. Lala Lajpat Rai was imprisoned in 1907, Tilak in 1908. There were many cases against Bipinchandrapal. The British government resorted to harsh repression. Press Act, Arms Act was enacted. The repression of the British government further fueled militant nationalism. National movements gained more momentum. The thoughts of Sachindra Nath Sanyal were formed in this background.
FROM WHITE CITY TO CITY OF SHIVA
The ancestors of Sachindra Sanyal had settled in Benares (Varanasi)from Bengal. The ancestors of Sachindra da were a distinguished scholar. Impressed by his scholarship, Raja Chet Singh of Banaras had appointed him as a Pandit.
While working on Sachin da’s story, dusting off some old reading rooms and libraries in Banaras, I came to my attention to an article published in a years old magazine. In this short article written about Sachin Da
(barely ten lines) The author, Mrs. Monica Sanyal, who wrote this article, had written about the arrival of Sachin da’s ancestor to Benares and the appointment of a Pandit in the court of Raja Chet Singh. This was an extraordinary information for me. Because in this one line, the secret of nationalism of Sachin da’s family, and attachment to revolution was hidden.
During the time of Raja Chet Singh, a rebellion had failed in Banaras. What if this rebellion had been successful? Perhaps the country would have become independent on 15 August 1781 instead of 15 August 1947 (yes the dates are the same). Undoubtedly, the ancestors of Sachin da were closely associated with this rebellion due to the appointment of Pandit by Raja Chet Singh, and being a scholar, he must have been very well aware of the reasons for the failure of this rebellion. The upcoming generations were also affected by this. Naturally how Sachin da alone once again tried to make the country independent through armed revolution, created a revolutionary organization, united the revolutionaries across the country, The “failed revolution of Benaras” must have been behind this marathon effort. For more information about this subject please visit :- https://nithinks.com/2020/08/14/benares-rebellion-15august-1781/
The failure of the Banaras revolution, the first freedom struggle of 1857, the principle of Karma of Gita, the thoughts of Swami Vivekananda, Arvind Ghosh and many great revolutionaries of the world and their sacrifices can be seen in the philosophy of Sachin da. For more information about this subject please visit :- https://nithinks.com/2021/06/10/a-happily-tea-adict-country/
“Any man who tells you that an act of armed resistance-even if offered by ten men only-even if offered by men armed with stones-any men who tell you that such an act of resistance is premature, imprudent, or dangerous, any and every such man should be at once spurned and spat at, for remark you this and recollect that somewhere and some how and by somebody a beginning must be made and that the first act of resistance is always and must be premature imprudent and dangerous”
This statement of an Irish revolutionary has been mentioned by Sachindra Nath Sanyal in his book Bandi Jeevan. This statement seems as if it has been written for Sachindra Nath Sanyal . Never give up, complete dedication and endless effort.
I TELL YOU: – ONE MUST STILL HAVE CHAOS IN ONESELF TO GIVE BIRTH TO A DANCING STAR. I TELL YOU STILL HAVE CHAOS IN YOURSELVES. ( FRIEDRICH NIETZCHE)
CHAOS IS NECESSARY TO THE BIRTH OF NEW STAR Sachindra Sanyal has also mentioned this sentence in his book.
Beginning of Revolutionary Life :- The revolutionary life of Sachindra Sanyal started from Varanasi. Sanyal established the branch of Anushilan Samiti in Varanasi. When Anushilan Samiti was banned, its name was changed to Young Man Association. There was also an internal committee of this organization. Young people used to sign with their blood in front of Mother Kali and become its members. The members of the association used to cut white pumpkins during Kali Puja. This white pumpkin was a symbol of British rule.
As the right hand of Rash Bihari Bose, Sachindra Nath Sanyal established many revolutionary centers. About eight thousand members of Hindustan-Ghadar Party, a well-known organization of revolutionaries, The passengers coming to India by ships were also taken in their crew immediately. Komagatamaru, Nishanmaru, Tosha Maru, SS Korea, etc. On the advice of Rash Bihari Bose, an attempt was made for a mass dedicated revolution like the revolution of 1857. Vishnu Ganesh Pingale, the leader of the Ghadar Party, met Rash Bihari Bose in Banaras(Varanasi). Sachindra Nath Sanyal came to Punjab for the purpose of revolution, after coming here he met Kartar Singh Sarabha, and other leaders of Ghadar Party. Sachindra Nath Sanyal also gave some revolvers and bullets to Kartar Singh Sarabha. After some time Rash Bihari Bose took over the leadership of Punjab. By going to Banaras, Punjab and many military cantonments of the country, the revolutionaries prepared soldiers. The soldiers of the Miyamari, Ferozepur Military Cantonments got ready for the revolution on February 19, 1915. Unfortunately, the secret of revolution was exposed and the revolutionaries were arrested.
KAALA PAANI:-(CELLCULAR JAIL) This prison remains in Port Blair, the capital of Andaman and Nicobar. Now it has been converted into a national monument. Cellular Jail– A prison surrounded by water on all sides, due to which no one could escape from here. It was the most infamous prison during the British period. Here the revolutionaries were kept and treated inhumanly.
FIRST LIFE IMPRISONMENT
Sachindra Nath Sanyal went to the military cantonment of Varanasi many times to prepare the soldiers for the revolution. Ten powerful bombs were also given to Vishnu-Ganesh Pingale by the revolutionaries of Varanasi. Pingle got arrested with bombs in Meerut military cantonment. The soldiers of the military cantonment of Varanasi refused to hand over their weapons. Many soldiers were court-martialed. Sachindra Nath Sanyal was arrested on 26 June 1915 in Varanasi. Sachindra Nath Sanyal was imprisoned in Lahore jail in handcuffs and shackles. Then brought back to Varanasi, trial was held in the special tribunal. Along with Sachindra Nath Sanyal, his two younger brothers Ravindra and Jeetendra, Damodar Swaroop of Kota were also trialed. Sachindra Nath Sanyal and Girija Babu were sentenced to life imprisonment. Jitendra Nath Sanyal, brother of Sachindra Nath Sanyal, was sentenced to two years. Sachindra Nath Sanyal was placed under house arrest in Gorakhpur. All the property of Sachindra Nath Sanyal was confiscated and mother of Sachindra Nath Sanyal was thrown out of the house.
This great revolutionary was sent to the Cellular Jail in Andaman. In the Cellular Jail, Sanyal was given the job of plowing like a bull in an oil mill with a blindfold on his eyes. For refusing this work, he was given a more severe punishment. After Britain’s victory in World War I, amnesty was given to political prisoners. Under this amnesty, Sachindra was released on February 1920. Immediately after his release he met many national leaders for the release of other prisoners. A few days later, Sachindra Nath Sanyal was also married to Pratibha Devi.
Contact with Gandhi :- On the initiative of Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das, The revolutionaries assured Gandhiji that they would not take any revolutionary action for one year and would fully cooperate with Gandhiji. It happened, but when Mahatma Gandhi withdrew his first non-cooperation movement after the Chauri Chaura incident, the revolutionaries again took up arms. Sachindra Sanyal founded the famous revolutionary organization Hindustan Republican Association in 1922. Sachindra Sanyal made about twenty centers of this revolutionary organization in North India. He also wrote pamphlets under the name “request to the countrymen” and “Revolutionary”. The session of the Hindustan Republican Association was held in Kolkata in 1924. The documents prepared by Sachindra Sanyal about the continuation of both open and secret movements in the country. For more information about this subject please visit :- https://nithinks.com/2020/10/02/gandhi-irrelevant-on-social-media/
Life Imprisonment For The Second Time
Soon Sachindra Sanyal was again imprisoned for giving impetuous speeches. This time he got a harsh punishment of two years. A few days after his release from jail, Sachindra Sanyal was associated with the KAKORI TRAIN ACTION (Kakori conspiracy case Years later, on 9th August 2021, the name of “Kakori Conspiracy” has been changed to “Kakori Train Action. )The revolutionaries looted the government treasury going by train at a place called Kakori near Lucknow. Revolutionaries associated with the Hindustan Republican Association were involved in this robbery.
The police arrested many people in connection with this case. Finally, the court sentenced Rajender Nath Lahiri, Thakur Roshan Singh, Ashfaq Ullah Khan, Ram Prasad Bismil to death in the Kakori case.
Sachindra Nath Sanyal, Sachindra Nath Bakshi, Yogesh Chandra Chatterjee, Mukund Lal, Govind Charan were imprisoned for life under Kala Pani (Sent to Port Blair Cellular Jail) Manmanath Gupta for 14 years. Many more people were jailed for many years. Sachin Da was released in 1937. He was arrested again in 1939 when the Second World War started. This time it was alleged that he was attempting an armed revolution in India with the help of Japan. A prisoner got tuberculosis in the jail, in those days people were very afraid of tuberculosis, as a result the prison staff refused to treat this prisoner. Sachindra Nath Sanyal himself took the responsibility of this prisoner, while serving this prisoner he himself became a victim of tuberculosis. This great revolutionary died of tuberculosis on 6th February 1943. The effort to make the impossible possible, the desire to sacrifice everything for the country is what makes this great soul different than others. The history of revolution and freedom struggle of India cannot be imagined without Sachindra Sanyal. There is no page in the history of India’s freedom struggle where Sachin da’s clear impression cannot be felt. As long as the freedom struggle of India will be remembered by the people, the sacrifice of Sachindra Nath Sanyal, the life of struggle will continue to inspire people.
VANDE MATRAM
