Echoes from a Forgotten Past, 1883–1924

The article presents a summary of "Savarkar: Echoes from a Forgotten Past (1883-1924)" - Chapters 1,2, and 3.

The book Savarkar: Echoes from a Forgotten Past (1883–1924) by Vikram Sampath is a biography that provides a detailed account of Savarkar’s early years, revolutionary activities, imprisonment, and ideological evolution.

Vinayak was born on 28th May 1883 at Bhagur, Maharashtra. Like most families, they lived very simply and happily, spending afternoons eating mangoes and evenings by the Daarna river, and singing hymns to idol of Goddess Bhavani. He began his formal education at age of six. In evenings his father would read books and the lives of heroic figures like Shivaji, Rana Pratap, and Peshwas, followed by deep discussions. Since childhood, Vinayak has been a voracious reader and has been against the caste system. At the tender age of 12, his first poem “Swadesh ki Phatkar”, got published in Newspaper.

There was a time when many people of India had the innocent belief in the fairness of British rule, believed that things happen for good and the British would help India to prosper, but the continuous inaction from the British Government at times of crisis and calamity made Indians realize that loyalty and dedicated service towards the British was of no use, The British even denied people their right to visit their dying family members. These incidents made people leave their Govt. jobs and join revolutionary groups to throw out the British Government.

Two such revolutionaries were the Chapekar brothers who were hanged for shooting two officers after the people of Pune were frustrated with the vandalism by the officers and soldiers during the fatal pandemic of Plague during 1896-97. This deeply moved young Vinayak, who took a vow before the idol, saying, "I will wage war against the enemy and fight till my last breath."

Vinayak’s father was worried seeing his son become so attached to patriotism, with great affection his father told him, “Vinayak, you are our only hope, don’t put your life at risk, you do not know the consequences of this path”. Vinayak remained silent but, told himself that nobody could now change his resolve.

In 1899, Nashik was hit by the plague, his father driven by a sense of duty and compassion involved himself in the relief operations and lost his life. At the age of 16, Vinayak was orphaned. And the 3 Savarkar brothers moved to Nashik permanently.

Vinayak, along with 3 members started a society with the aim to liberate India. The members would read, research, write, and conduct meetings. In high school, Vinayak started learning about the Dutch, Iran and Spain revolutions.

Since the courteous petitions are not giving any freedom, the armed struggle becomes the only means. Along with knowledge, the members started preparing for the struggles of imprisonment, hunger, and lashings. Vinayak proclaimed that their only caste and religion is humanity. They did not hate British but should be considered enemies till they illegitimately subjugated Indians.

“The path will be risky, bloody, and your innocent family will suffer. Do you have it in you, to burn in a pyre like Sati? If yes, only then this path is yours”.

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