Tag: Bandi jeevan

Untold Stories of India’s Freedom: 4 Must-Read Books

Reclaiming India’s True History: Heroes Who Made the Nation Free

After India became independent, many historians focused on glorifying just one family, one ideology, and one religion.

They rewrote history to favor the Gandhi-Nehru family, promoted Marxism, and described Hinduism as conservative while showing Islam as peaceful. But history cannot be just what some people want it to be.

As George Orwell once wrote, “History has stopped. Nothing exists except an endless present in which the Party is always right.” If everyone accepts lies as truth, then lies become a part of history.

Because of this, today, many Indians cannot truly understand the freedom struggle by reading standard school books. To learn the real story, one must read books written before independence by people who were part of the movement.

Unfortunately, most of these books are not in school or college libraries. Here are some of the most important ones that every Indian should read.

(I)

Anand Math – Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay

Published in 1882, Anand Math is a novel that inspired Indians to rise against the British. Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay wrote it in Bengali, and it was later translated into many Indian languages.

The book revived the spirit of courage and duty from the Bhagavad Gita, reminding Hindus that they were not a defeated race.

The story recounts the tales of brave revolutionaries who fought against the British, demonstrating that freedom was their inalienable right.

The song Vande Mataram, featured in the novel, became a symbol of India’s independence. Anand Math helped awaken the nation and inspire many young people to join the freedom struggle.

(II)

INDIAN WAR OF INDEPENDENCE or 1857 ka swatantraya samar

Indian War of Independence – Vinayak Damodar Savarkar

This was the first book in the world to face a ban before its publication.

Veer Savarkar wrote the first true history of India’s 1857 revolt, showing it as the First War of Independence.

This book was banned in India even before it was published in 1909. Despite this, copies reached people in France, the United States, and the Netherlands, and Indians secretly brought them back home.

Savarkar’s book corrected the false story that the revolt was a “sepoy mutiny.”

He proved it was a nationwide fight against colonial rule. His book inspired countless Indians to fight for freedom. Written in Marathi, it remains one of the most important works to understand India’s independence.

(III)

Aankhon Dekha Ghadar – Vishnu Bhat Godse

This book tells the story of the 1857 revolt through the eyes of a common Indian. The author was not a scholar, but he captured the real emotions, chaos, and courage of people during the revolt.

It shows the bravery of Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi, who fought to protect her kingdom and her people. The book makes readers feel the destruction of war and the heroism of freedom fighters.

Even though it is not a formal history book, it brings alive the true spirit of India’s fight for freedom.

(IV)

Bandi Jeevan – Sachindra Nath Sanyal

Called the “Gita of revolutionaries,” Bandi Jeevan tells the story of what drives a revolutionary to dedicate life to freedom. Sachindra Nath Sanyal, also called Sachin Da, guided revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, and many others.

He spent most of his life in jail but never gave up hope. His writings inspired freedom fighters to stay courageous and determined. Bandi Jeevan is more than a book; it is a guide for anyone who wants to understand the heart and soul of India’s struggle for independence.

The Real Story of History

For years, many historians influenced by Marxism and other ideologies tried to erase the contributions of true revolutionaries. They glorified certain families and created false stories. They minimized the sacrifices of brave men and women who fought for India.

Neo-Marxists, even after the collapse of the Soviet Union, continued the same approach. They erased real heroes, exaggerated fictional stories, and spread ideas that weakened the spirit of freedom. This has caused Indians to lose touch with their true history.

Why We Must Reclaim India’s History

Restore True Legacy: We must honor revolutionaries and thinkers who sacrificed their lives for freedom. They are the real heroes of India.

Remove False Stories: Fictional glorification of certain people and events must be corrected. History should be based on facts, not politics.

Inspire Young Indians: Reading about real freedom fighters will teach children courage, sacrifice, and love for the nation. They will learn that freedom came with hard work and dedication.

    Lessons from True Freedom Fighters

    Bravery Over Fear: Revolutionaries like Rani Laxmibai, Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, and many others showed immense courage. They stood up against the powerful British army despite knowing the dangers.

    Sacrifice Over Comfort: These heroes gave their lives for the country. They worked even when it meant imprisonment or death.

    Unity Over Division: True freedom fighters believed in one India. They worked together across regions, religions, and languages to fight colonial rule.

    Vision Over Selfishness: They cared for the future of India more than personal fame or wealth.

    The Danger of Ignoring True History

    If children only read biased or incomplete history books, they will grow up not knowing the truth about India’s freedom struggle. They may think independence was easy or that only a few people fought for it. This dishonors the sacrifices of the real heroes and weakens the spirit of nationalism.

    What We Must Do

    Read old books written before independence by revolutionaries and freedom fighters.

    Teach children about the true heroes, not just political figures.

    Preserve the legacy of brave Indians in schools, libraries, and public memory.

    Celebrate courage, sacrifice, and dedication so that future generations can learn from them.

      India’s freedom struggle was fought by countless men and women who believed in bravery, sacrifice, and love for the country.

      Books like Anand Math, Indian War of Independence, Aankhon Dekha Ghadar, and Bandi Jeevan are windows into their lives. They show the courage of revolutionaries, the struggles of common people, and the unstoppable spirit of a nation.

      We must reclaim this history from biased narratives and false stories. We must honor those who fought for India’s freedom, not just glorify a few families or ideologies. By learning the truth, we can inspire new generations to respect our heritage, love our country, and carry forward the legacy of real heroes.

      As George Orwell said, “The most effective way to destroy people is to deny and obliterate their own understanding of their history.” It is our duty to ensure that India’s history remains true, inspiring, and proud. The stories of brave men and women who sacrificed everything for the nation must never be forgotten.

      Sachindra Nath Sanyal: The Unsung Revolutionary Who Shaped India’s Freedom Struggle

      A Glimpse of Sachin Da’s Contribution to India’s Freedom Struggle

      *Sachindra Nath Sanyal spent twenty-five years in prison out of the fifty years of his life.

      *He was the only revolutionary who was sentenced to life imprisonment twice.

      *Sanyal had three younger brothers—Jitendra Nath Sanyal, Rabindra Nath Sanyal, and Bhupendra Nath Sanyal—who were also active in the freedom struggle. Because of their involvement, they too were imprisoned many times and spent years in jail for India’s independence.

      *Sachindra Nath Sanyal wrote the book Bandi Jeevan (A Life of Captivity), which is considered the Gita of Indian revolutionaries. The book was translated into more than eight languages, inspiring countless people to take the revolutionary path in the fight for independence.

      *Sanyal was the founder of the Hindustan Republican Association.

      *He was a close associate of the famous revolutionaries Rash Bihari Bose and Subhas Chandra Bose.

      *Sachindra Nath Sanyal was the political mentor (Guru) to many great revolutionaries, including Chandrashekhar Azad, Bhagat Singh, Trilokya Chakraborty, Bhagwati Charan Vohra, Nalini Kishore Guh, Baba Prithvi Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru, Lala Hardayal, and Ajit Singh.

      *Sachindra Nath Sanyal was popularly known as Sachin Da among fellow revolutionaries.

      India and its people will always be indebted to Sachin Da. His entire family dedicated their lives to the freedom struggle.

      There are hardly any other examples of such commitment. Sachindra Nath Sanyal was not only a revolutionary, but also a philosopher, writer, teacher, and the creator of an entire army of revolutionaries.

      Sachindra Nath Sanyal was a great warrior who tried to rekindle the spirit of revolution in India after the 1857 revolt.

      I prefer to evaluate people based on their work rather than their family background, but in Sachindra Nath Sanyal’s case, his family also played an important role in shaping his determination and resilience.

      Unfortunately, very little has been written about Sachindra Nath Sanyal, and that’s why many people are unaware of his significant contributions.

      I decided to write this post to help more people learn about Sachin Da and the immense impact he had on India’s freedom struggle.

      The City of Shiva: The Roots of Sachindra Nath Sanyal’s Nationalism

      The ancestors of Sachindra Nath Sanyal had settled in Varanasi (Banaras) from Bengal. They were distinguished scholars, and their knowledge was highly respected. Raja Chet Singh of Banaras, impressed by their scholarship, appointed Sachindra Da’s ancestor as a Pandit in his court.

      While researching Sachindra Da’s story in the old libraries and reading rooms of Banaras, I came across a short article in an old magazine.

      This article, written by Mrs. Monica Sanyal, mentioned Sachindra Da’s ancestor coming to Banaras and being appointed as a Pandit by Raja Chet Singh.

      This was remarkable information for me because it revealed something crucial—this line contained the secret of Sachindra Da’s family’s deep connection to nationalism and their attachment to revolution.

      During Raja Chet Singh’s reign, a rebellion had failed in Banaras. But what if that rebellion had succeeded? Could India have gained independence on 15 August 1781 instead of 15 August 1947? The date is the same, but the consequences would have been far different.

      The ancestors of Sachindra Da were likely closely connected to this rebellion, the Pandit appointment by Raja Chet Singh. Being a scholar, he must have understood why the rebellion failed, and this knowledge would have been passed down through the generations.

      This history of failure and resilience deeply impacted the family, and it’s clear that this legacy influenced Sachindra Da’s actions.

      He made an extraordinary effort to free India through armed revolution. He formed a revolutionary organization, united revolutionaries across the country, and kept fighting for India’s independence. It’s likely that the “failed rebellion of Banaras” fueled his determination and the long struggle for freedom.

      Sachindra Nath Sanyal: A Hero’s Journey from Childhood to Freedom Fighter

      Sachindra Nath Sanyal was born on June 3, 1893, in his ancestral home in the Madanpura locality of Varanasi. His father, Harinath Sanyal, was a nationalist, and his mother, Kshirodhavasini, was a brave, strong, and religious woman. They raised their children in a nationalist environment.

      His father worked as an accountant in the army, which meant the family moved frequently. Because of this, Sachindra Nath’s childhood was spent in cities like Kolkata, Varanasi, and Peshawar.

      Two childhood incidents stand out and show the nature and determination of Sachindra Da:

      @ When his father was posted in Shimla, Sachindra Da once saved his younger brother Jitendra’s life. Jitendra had slipped and was about to fall off a hill, and Sachindra Da risked his own life to pull him to safety.

      @ On another occasion, a young British horse rider pushed his mother while riding. In response, Sachindra Da bravely beat up the young man, standing up against the British in his own way.

        In 1908, after the death of his father, Sachindra Da’s family moved back to their ancestral home in Varanasi.

        The Beginning of Sachindra Nath Sanyal’s Revolutionary Life

        Sachindra Nath Sanyal’s journey as a revolutionary began in Varanasi. He started a branch of the Anushilan Samiti, a group dedicated to armed revolution. When the British banned the Anushilan Samiti, the organization was renamed the Young Man Association.

        This group had an internal committee, and the young members pledged their loyalty by signing in blood before Mother Kali. As part of their ritual during Kali Puja, they would carve white pumpkins, which symbolized British rule.

        Sanyal, as the right-hand man of Rash Bihari Bose, helped set up several revolutionary centers. He played a key role in the Hindustan-Ghadar Party, an organization that had around eight thousand members. Many people who traveled to India by ship were recruited into the group, including passengers on ships like Komagatamaru, Nishanmaru, Tosha Maru, and SS Korea.

        Inspired by Rash Bihari Bose, Sanyal worked towards a revolution that would be as powerful and widespread as the one in 1857. He met with Vishnu Ganesh Pingale, a leader of the Ghadar Party, in Banaras. Sanyal also traveled to Punjab, where he met Kartar Singh Sarabha and other Ghadar leaders, supplying them with revolvers and ammunition.

        Soon, Rash Bihari Bose took over leadership in Punjab, and the revolutionaries spread across Banaras, Punjab, and military cantonments, preparing soldiers for an uprising. The revolution was planned for February 19, 1915, with soldiers from places like Miyamari and Ferozepur Cantonments ready to join the fight. Sadly, the plot was uncovered, and many of the revolutionaries were arrested.

        First Life Imprisonment of Sachindra Nath Sanyal

        Sachindra Nath Sanyal worked tirelessly to prepare soldiers for the revolution. He visited the military cantonment in Varanasi multiple times, and the revolutionaries of Varanasi even gave Vishnu-Ganesh Pingale ten powerful bombs. However, Pingale was arrested in Meerut with these bombs. The soldiers in the Varanasi cantonment resisted giving up their weapons, leading to the court-martial of several soldiers.

        On June 26, 1915, Sachindra Nath Sanyal was arrested in Varanasi. He was shackled and sent to Lahore Jail. Later, he was brought back to Varanasi for a trial in a special tribunal.

        Along with Sanyal, his two younger brothers, Ravindra and Jeetendra, and Damodar Swaroop from Kota were also tried. Sachindra Nath Sanyal and Girija Babu were sentenced to life imprisonment, while Jitendra Nath Sanyal was sentenced to two years and his property was confiscated. His mother was also thrown out of their home.

        The Return of a Revolutionary: Sachindra Nath Sanyal’s Release After Years of Imprisonment

        After Britain’s victory in World War I, the British government decided to release many political prisoners who had been incarcerated during the struggle for India’s independence. Sachindra Nath Sanyal, one of the most prominent revolutionaries of his time, was among those released.

        Sanyal had been imprisoned for several years, including a period spent in the notorious Cellular Jail (Kala Pani) in the Andaman Islands. The British authorities, after the war, decided to release many political prisoners in the hope of easing tensions and stabilizing their rule in India. This release came in 1920, shortly after the end of the war, as part of a general amnesty granted to many revolutionaries and activists.

        While Sachindra Nath Sanyal’s release was a significant moment in his life, the impact of the British decision was twofold. It marked the return of a key figure in the revolutionary movement, who continued to be an inspiration for future generations of freedom fighters. On the other hand, Sanyal, despite being free from imprisonment, faced ongoing surveillance and restrictions on his movements, as the British continued to regard him as a serious threat to their colonial rule.

        Life Imprisonment for the Second Time

        * Soon after his release, Sachindra Nath Sanyal was imprisoned again for making bold speeches. This time, he was sentenced to two years in prison.

        After being released, Sachindra Sanyal became involved in the Kakori Train Action (which was later called the Kakori Train Action instead of the Kakori Conspiracy). The revolutionaries, part of the Hindustan Republican Association, looted the government treasury from a train at Kakori, near Lucknow.

        Many people were arrested in connection with this action. The court sentenced Rajender Nath Lahiri, Thakur Roshan Singh, Ashfaq Ullah Khan, and Ram Prasad Bismil to death.

        Sachindra Nath Sanyal, along with others like Sachindra Nath Bakshi, Yogesh Chandra Chatterjee, Mukund Lal, Manmanath Gupta, and Govind Charan, was sentenced to life imprisonment and sent to the Cellular Jail in Port Blair.

        Sachindra Nath Sanyal was released in 1937 but was arrested again in 1939 when the Second World War began.

        This time, it was alleged that he was trying to start an armed revolution with Japan’s help. During this time, a prisoner in the jail contracted tuberculosis, and the prison staff refused to treat him because of the fear of the disease. Sachindra Nath Sanyal took responsibility for caring for the prisoner, and in the process, he contracted tuberculosis.

        Sachin Da died on 6th February 1943 from tuberculosis. His sacrifice, determination, and willingness to give everything for India’s freedom set him apart.

        The history of India’s struggle for independence cannot be written without remembering Sachindra Nath Sanyal. His legacy lives on in the hearts of the people, and his life of sacrifice will continue to inspire future generations.