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This section contains the complete archive of The Whirlwind is a blog dedicated to the life, thought, and influence of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. Each entry explores aspects of his political action, philosophical thinking, social reform efforts, historical interpretations, and cultural legacy. The blog aims to offer critical insights into Savarkar’s role in shaping modern Indian political and ideological discourse.
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The Chapekar Brothers – A Spark That Ignited Revolution
Read more: The Chapekar Brothers – A Spark That Ignited RevolutionIn 1897, Poona reeled under a brutal bubonic plague and even harsher British repression. To control the outbreak, British officials led by Collector Walter Rand enforced draconian measures – homes were raided, women harassed, and dignity trampled. While most of society watched in helpless silence, the Chapekar brothers – Damodar, Balakrishna, and Vasudev – chose…
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Bonfire of Foreign goods at Fergusson College, Poona
Read more: Bonfire of Foreign goods at Fergusson College, PoonaIn 1905, being in his early twenties, Vinayak Damodar (Veer) Savarkar emerged as a fiery student leader in Poona, galvanizing youth against British imperialism. A staunch proponent of Swadeshi, Savarkar saw the boycott of foreign goods as the moral counterpart to the political opposition to the Partition of Bengal by Viceroy Lord Curzon planned to…
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Savarkar’s Enrollment at Fergusson College in Poona
Read more: Savarkar’s Enrollment at Fergusson College in PoonaOn 24 January 1902, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar enrolled at the prestigious Fergusson College in Poona, undertaking a major in the arts with the aim of securing a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree. At the turn of the century, Fergusson College had become a vibrant hub of nationalist thought and reformist energy. It attracted some of…
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‘I also took a vow to drive out the Britishers from my beloved motherland and make my country free and great once again – the glory that was Hind.’
Read more: ‘I also took a vow to drive out the Britishers from my beloved motherland and make my country free and great once again – the glory that was Hind.’Source: Savarkar in his last press interview conducted by Shridhar Telkar at Savarkar’s house in Bombay (today Mumbai) in 1965. The interview was for the weekly ORGANISER and appeared in the Diwali number 1965 of that journal and got reprinted in Savarkar. Commemoration Volume. Savarkar Darshan Pratishthan (Trust), edited by Sudhir Phadke, B.M. Purandare, Bindumadhav…
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A Voyage to Revolution: Savarkar’s Journey on the S.S. Persia
Read more: A Voyage to Revolution: Savarkar’s Journey on the S.S. PersiaIn June 1906, a young Vinayak Damodar Savarkar stepped aboard the S.S. Persia, setting sail for England. At first glance, it may have appeared to be a student’s voyage in pursuit of a legal education. But this journey would prove far more consequential—not just for Savarkar, but for the future of India’s freedom struggle. Funded…
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‘I am indeed happy and proud that I am not a party to the partition of Hindusthan.’
Read more: ‘I am indeed happy and proud that I am not a party to the partition of Hindusthan.’Savarkar in his last press interview conducted by Shridhar Telkar at Savarkar’s house in Bombay (today Mumbai) in 1965. The interview was for the weekly ORGANISER and appeared in the Diwali number 1965 of that journal and got reprinted in Savarkar. Commemoration Volume. Savarkar Darshan Pratishthan (Trust), edited by Sudhir Phadke, B.M. Purandare, Bindumadhav Joshi.…
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The Sacred Soil: Codeelement Punyabhumi, the Sanctity of the Territory
Read more: The Sacred Soil: Codeelement Punyabhumi, the Sanctity of the TerritorySavarkar’s coding of Hindutva; Metacode Rashtra, Part 4; Code Territory (3/6) The concept of Punyabhumi, or “sacred land”, is central to Vinayak Damodar Savarkar’s definition of the Hindu Rashtra. While he acknowledges the geographical and territorial aspect of the nation (Pitribhu), he further elevates it by embedding a religious dimension, defining it as a “sacred…
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Savarkar and the Codeelement Pitribhu: Defining Territorial Boundaries
Read more: Savarkar and the Codeelement Pitribhu: Defining Territorial BoundariesSavarkar’s Coding of Hindutva, Metacode Rashtra, Part 3; Code Territory (2/6) Vinayak Damodar Savarkar’s ideological framework for Hindutva is deeply rooted in territorial delineation, a concept that is essential for political realism while seemingly contradictory to his broader worldview. His reflections on the nature of the Indian nation and its territorial boundaries stem from a…
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Code Territory: The Role of Space in Hindutva and Nation-Building
Read more: Code Territory: The Role of Space in Hindutva and Nation-BuildingSavarkar’s Coding of Hindutva; Metacode Rashtra, Part 2 ; Code Territory (1/6) In the complex tapestry of Hindutva, the concept of Rashtra, the shared land, more specifically the Code Territory, plays a pivotal role. It’s more than just a map; it’s the foundation upon which the idea of a unified Hindu identity is built. To…
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The Metacode Rashtra: Geographical Coding in Hindutva
Read more: The Metacode Rashtra: Geographical Coding in HindutvaSavarkar’s Coding of Hindutva; Metacode Rashtra, Part 1 The concept of Hindutva is deeply intertwined with geography, history, and a unique cultural identity. At its core, the idea of Rashtra – the first Metacode – serves as the constitutive element of the “common land.” This Metacode not only defines the territorial framework of Hindutva but…