The Whirlwind

(3/5) Savarkar’s Vision of Hindu History

A sepia-toned painting of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar surrounded by symbolic imagery, including historical figures, ancient warriors, flags, and crossed sword and quill, representing his role as a revolutionary thinker and nationalist leader.

A Legacy of Resistance and Unity

Category 2: Historical Studies

Vinayak Damodar Savarkar didn’t just advocate for independence; he sought to rewrite the narrative of Indian history itself. His writings, often controversial, aimed to inspire a sense of pride and unity among Hindus, emphasizing their resilience against foreign powers. Let’s delve into some of his key historical works and explore the core ideas that shaped his vision.

Mazzini’s Influence: A Blueprint for Revolution

During his time in England (1906-1910), Savarkar translated Giuseppe Mazzini‘s autobiography into Marathi. This wasn’t merely a literary exercise. Mazzini’s revolutionary spirit and methods, particularly his concept of secret societies like Young Italy, deeply resonated with Savarkar. He saw Mazzini’s struggle against foreign occupation as a model for the Indian independence movement. This translation, despite facing censorship, became a significant source of inspiration for nationalist circles in Maharashtra.

Hindu Pad-Padashahi: Reclaiming the Maratha Legacy

In his “Hindu Pad-Padashahi,” Savarkar chronicled the rise and fall of the Maratha Empire, from Shivaji’s birth in 1627 to its decline in 1818. He argued that the Marathas’ fight was not just for regional interests but for the liberation of the Hindu nation from Muslim domination. He aimed to correct what he perceived as the biased and incomplete accounts of Western historians, emphasizing the Marathas’ role as defenders of Hinduism.

  • A National, Not Regional, History: Savarkar sought to elevate the Maratha narrative from a regional story to a vital part of Hindu national history.
  • Actor-Centered Approach: He focused on the motives, emotions, and actions of key figures, believing this provided a truer understanding of historical movements.
  • Pan-Hindu Perspective: He stressed the need for a unified Hindu community, highlighting the Maratha Confederacy as an example of national unity and purpose.
  • Social Reform: Savarkar linked political and social reform, praising the Marathas’ efforts in education, charity, and religious reconversion (Shuddhi).

Six Glorious Epochs of Indian History: Countering the Narrative of Defeat

Savarkar’s “Six Glorious Epochs of Indian History” aimed to challenge the perception of Indian history as a series of defeats. He highlighted periods of successful resistance against foreign aggressors, from Chandra Gupta Maurya to the British colonial era.

  • Epochs of Struggle: He defined “glorious epochs” as periods of armed conflict, the expulsion of foreign powers, and the consolidation of Hindu unity.
  • Emphasis on Defense: The concept of a “defensive democracy” and the importance of a strong army were recurring themes.
  • Critique of Buddhist Influence: He criticized the influence of Buddhism, particularly under Ashoka, for allegedly weakening the martial spirit of Hindu society.
  • Integration of Minorities: Savarkar explored the integration of foreign groups, emphasizing military defeat and cultural assimilation as key factors.
  • Hindu-Muslim Conflict: He devoted significant attention to the “passionate and gigantic struggle between Hindus and Muslims.”
  • British Colonial Rule: He briefly addressed the confrontation with British rule, hinting at the possibility of Hindu-Muslim cooperation.

The Indian War of Independence of 1857: A Call for Unity

Savarkar’s most famous work, “The Indian War of Independence of 1857,” sought to reframe the 1857 uprising as a unified struggle for national liberation. He aimed to inspire a second armed struggle against British rule.

  • Hindu-Muslim Unity: Unlike his previous works, Savarkar emphasized the potential for Hindu-Muslim cooperation against the British, seeing it as a necessary step towards independence.
  • Inspiration for Revolution: He intended to motivate his compatriots to continue the fight for freedom.

Other Historical Works: Sikhs and Nepalese

Savarkar’s interest in Hindu history extended beyond the Marathas. He also wrote about the history of the Sikhs and the Nepalese nationalist movement.

  • History of the Sikhs: He studied Sikh texts and wrote about the emergence of an independent Hindu kingdom in northern India, praising the Sikhs’ resistance against Muslim dominance.
  • History of the Nepalese Nationalist Movement: He recognized Nepal’s role in preserving Hindu culture and religion, viewing it as an integral part of Hindu India.

Savarkar’s Legacy: A Contested Vision

Savarkar’s historical writings remain a subject of debate. His emphasis on Hindu unity and his interpretations of historical events have been both praised and criticized. Regardless of one’s perspective, his works offer a unique and influential vision of Indian history, one that continues to shape discussions about nationalism and identity.

Sources:

CHIROL, Valentine. 1910. Indian Unrest. Macmillan and Co: London.

KEER, Dhananjay. 1988. Veer Savarkar. Third Edition. (Second Edition: 1966). Popular Prakashan: Bombay (Mumbai).

KER, James Cambell. 1973. Political Trouble in India 1907-1917. New Delhi: Oriental Publishers.

KRÜGER, Horst. 1984. Indische Nationalisten und Weltproletariat. Der nationale Befreiungskampf in Indien und die Arbeiterbewegung vor 1914. Band I. Akademie Verlag: Berlin.

SAVARKAR, Vinayak Damodar. 1971. Six glorious (golden) epochs of Indian history. Savarkar Sadan: Bombay. 

SAVARKAR, Vinayak Damodar. 1971. Hindu-Pad-Padashahi or a review of the Hindu empire of Maharashtra. Bharti Sahitya Sadan (Fourth Edition): New Delhi.