Revolutionary Activities Abroad

Overseas Revolt: Catalysts for Indian Independence

The revolutionary activities abroad, particularly in London, France, Germany, and Singapore, played a significant role in India’s struggle for independence. Indian revolutionaries established organizations such as India House and the Paris India Society to advocate for home rule and promote revolutionary ideas. Assassinations, publications, and the raising of the Indian flag marked their efforts. The Singapore Mutiny of 1915, part of the Ghadar Conspiracy, exposed the underlying fragility of British colonial rule. These events shaped the course of the Indian independence movement and contributed to the eventual liberation of India from British rule.

Revolutionary Activities In London: Struggles and Sacrifices

Revolutionary Activities in London had a significant impact on India’s struggle for independence. Following are the key points related to revolutionary activities in London:

• Formation of Indian Home Rule Society/India House: The Indian Home Rule Society, or India House, was founded in London in 1905 by Shyamji Krishnavarma. It served as a centre for Indian students and aimed to recruit radical youth from India who were dedicated to the cause of Indian independence.
• Activities of India House: India House operated as a program to support Indian students and provided a platform for them to discuss and promote the idea of home rule for India. The society published a journal called The Sociologist, which helped in spreading their ideas and creating awareness.
• Members of India House: Notable revolutionaries such as Vinayak Damodar Savarkar and Har Dayal were members of India House. They actively participated in society’s activities and contributed to the revolutionary movement for Indian independence.
• Assassination of Curzon-Wyllie: In 1909, Madanlal Dhingra, a member of India House, assassinated Sir William Hutt Curzon-Wyllie, a British bureaucrat working at the India Office. Dhingra’s act of violence was seen as a response to British oppression in India.
• Safety Concerns and Extradition of Savarkar: The revolutionaries in India House soon realized the increasing danger of their activities in London. Following Savarkar’s extradition in 1910 and subsequent life imprisonment in the Nasik conspiracy case, the remaining revolutionaries faced heightened surveillance and pressure from the British authorities, which made London an unsafe place for their activities.

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Revolutionary Activities In France: Trailblazer of Indian Independence in France

Madam Bhikaji Cama was a prominent leader to carry out revolutionary activities in France. The following are the key points related to revolutionary activities in France:

• Madam Bhikaji Cama’s Revolutionary Activities: Madam Bhikaji Cama, a Parsi lady from Gujarat, carried out her revolutionary activities from Paris and Geneva. She played a prominent role in advocating for Indian independence.
• Establishment of Paris India Society: With the assistance of Munchershah Burjorji Godrej and S R Rana, Madam Cama established the Paris India Society in 1905. The organization served as a branch of the India Home Rule Society, supporting the cause of Indian independence.
• Bande Mataram Journal: The Paris India Society published Bande Mataram, a Revolutionary Activities journal. On September 10, 1909, the first-ever issue of Bande Mataram was published, with Lala Hardayal as the editor.
• Funding for Talvar Journal: Madam Cama provided funding for Virendranath Chattopadhyaya to publish the Revolutionary Activities journal Talvar. Talvar was created in honour of Madan Lal Dhingra, another prominent Revolutionary Activities.
• Raising the First Indian Flag: On August 3, 1907, at the International Socialist Conference in Stuttgart, Germany, Madam Cama raised the first Indian flag. The flag was designed by Madam Cama, Veer Savarkar, and Shyamji Krishna Verma. It featured eight lotuses and the words “Vande Mataram” in Hindi on a saffron stripe. The flag is currently on display at the Maratha and Kesari Library in Pune. 
• Ties with Socialist Party and Russian Exiles: Madam Cama maintained close ties with the socialist party and Russian socialists living in exile in Paris. These connections helped her in furthering the cause of Indian independence.
• Mother of the Indian Revolutionaries: Madam Bhikaji Cama is referred to as the mother of the Indian Revolutionaries, recognizing her significant contributions to the independence movement.

Germany’s Indian Independence Drive: Revolutionary Pursuits

The revolutionary activities in Germany aimed at achieving Indian self-rule through the Berlin Committee for Indian Independence. Some of their activities and objectives are mentioned below:

• Berlin Committee for Indian Independence: With assistance from the German office and in accordance with the Zimmerman Plan, the Berlin Committee for Indian Independence was founded by Virendranath Chattopadhyaya in 1915, Bhupendranath Dutta, Lala Hardayal, and others.
• Objective: To organise an armed uprising by Indian troops to liberate Indian territory by gathering and mobilising Indian settlers abroad and sending them volunteers, weapons, and ammunition.
• Formation of Provisional Government: To organise a Provisional Indian Government with the aid of Crown Prince Amanullah, the committee also sent a mission to Kabul under the command of Raja Mahendra Pratap Singh, Barkatullah, and Obaidullah Sindhi.
• Missions to get support: To gain the support of Indian troops and Indian prisoners of war (POWs), they also dispatched missions to Baghdad, Persia, Turkey, and Kabul.
• Journal: The Revolutionary Activities journal Talvar played a significant role in connecting and disseminating information. It served as a platform for Revolutionary Activities ideas and helped coordinate activities within the movement.

Singapore Mutiny 1915: Colonial Turmoil and Rebellion

The Singapore Mutiny of 1915 was a significant event that took place at Alexandra Barracks in Singapore on February 15, during the Chinese New Year holiday. Here is some background information about the mutiny:

• Composition of the 5th Light Infantry: The regiment involved in the mutiny was the Indian 5th Light Infantry, which was entirely composed of Muslim troops. This regiment played a crucial role in the island’s garrison.
• Uprising and disruption: The mutiny began around 3 p.m. when shots were fired. The mutineers broke open the magazine and cut the military phone lines, disrupting communication.
• Absence of British officers: At the time of the uprising, the British officers of the regiment were off duty, either resting at home or enjoying time on the beach. As a result, news of the mutiny spread slowly, and no one thought to call for police assistance.
• Attacks in Chinatown: Some of the mutineers headed towards Singapore’s Chinatown and killed British individuals they encountered along the way. This suggests that the mutiny had a violent and anti-British sentiment.
• Tanglin Camp and German prisoners: Another group of insurgents marched to Tanglin Camp, where 307 German internees and prisoners of war were held. The mutineers offered them guns and freedom, but colonial hierarchies prevented the German officers from joining the mutineers.
• Attacks on soldiers and civilians: Across the island, a total of 47 soldiers and civilians were attacked and killed during the mutiny. Among the victims, five were Chinese and Malays, while the majority were British men who were targeted in various locations such as golf courses, cars, and carriages.
• Evacuation and racial tensions: In response to the mutiny, women and children of British individuals sought refuge on steamers in the harbour. This caused tension and a racially charged situation as Eurasian and other Asian women tried to join them.
• Loss of control and societal fragility: The mutiny lasted for two days, during which the British temporarily lost control of their colonial stronghold. This event exposed the underlying fragility of colonial society and raised questions about the stability and control of British colonial rule.

Features of the Singapore Mutiny: Insights into Colonial Upheaval

Here are some features and historical background related to the Singapore Mutiny:

• Ghadar Conspiracy: The mutiny was part of the Ghadar Conspiracy, an Indian independence movement against British colonial rule. The Ghadars aimed to incite discontent within the Indian Army.
• British terminology: The British referred to the mutiny as the “Singapore Mutiny.” However, in Singapore, it was known as the “Sepoy Mutiny” or the “Indian Mutiny,” despite the fact that the term had previously been used to describe the 1857-1858 uprising in India.
• Similar thwarted plan: Prior to the Singapore Mutiny, there was a similar plan involving the 130th Baluchis in January 1915, but a timely warning prevented its execution.
• History of the 5th Light Infantry: The 5th Light Infantry had a long-standing history in the Indian Army, dating back to 1803. Originally known as the 2nd Battalion, 21st Bengal Native Infantry, it was renamed the 42nd Bengal Native (Light) Infantry in 1843. Following the Indian Mutiny of 1857, it became the 5th Bengal Native (Light) Infantry before being reformed and renamed the 5th Light Infantry.
• Battle honours: The regiment had a distinguished military record and had earned several battle honours, including Arakan, Afghanistan, Kandahar 1842, Ghunze 1842, Kabul and Moodkee, Ferozeshah, and Sobraon. It also participated in the Second Afghan War of 1879-1880 and the Third Burmese War of 1885-1887, which led to the British annexation of Burma.
• Garrison duties and deployment: Before World War I, the 5th Light Infantry was primarily assigned to garrison duties in India. However, it was sent to Singapore to replace the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, which had been ordered to France in October 1914.
• Muslim composition: The 5th Light Infantry was notable for being an unusually Muslim unit for that period, consisting mainly of Ranghars (Muslims of Rajput origin) and Pathans. It was commanded by both British and Indian officers.
• Stationed in Alexandra Barracks: Upon its arrival in Singapore, the 5th Light Infantry was stationed in Alexandra Barracks, which served as its base.

The aftermath of the Singapore Mutiny: Sentences, Executions, and Deployments

The aftermath of the Singapore Mutiny involved legal proceedings, punishments, and subsequent deployments of the remaining members of the 5th Light Infantry. Here are some key points regarding the aftermath:

• Court-martial sentences: In the months following the mutiny, approximately 200 sepoys (Indian soldiers) were tried in court-martial proceedings. Of those, 64 were sentenced to life imprisonment.
• Executions: Forty-seven sepoys were executed by firing squad at Outram Prison. The executions took place in front of a crowd of thousands, indicating the severity of the punishment and the public nature of the event.
• Additional executions and deportation: Kassim Mansoor, the owner of a coffee shop, was also executed. Nur Alam Shah, a preacher, was deported from Singapore.
• Deployment to Africa: In July 1915, the remaining members of the 5th Light Infantry were sent to Africa to participate in the fighting against German forces in the Cameroons and German East Africa. They fought alongside the Malay State Guides, who had previously been deployed to Africa after suppressing a tribal uprising in Malaya.
• Colonel E. V. Martin: Colonel E. V. Martin, despite defending his bungalow during the mutiny, faced heavy criticism from the subsequent Court of Inquiry. He was later retired, implying that his career suffered as a result of the events of the mutiny.
• Lack of active combat: It is mentioned that during the course of the First World War, Colonel Martin’s only experience of action was in defending his own home against his own men during the mutiny. This highlights the unusual and unfortunate nature of his involvement in the war.  

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Conclusion

In conclusion, the revolutionary activities conducted abroad in London, France, Germany, and Singapore played a crucial role in India’s struggle for independence. These activities involved the formation of organizations, publications, assassinations, and significant events like the Singapore Mutiny. The revolutionaries sought to advocate for home rule, raise awareness, and incite discontent within the Indian Army against British colonial rule. These efforts, although met with challenges and repression, ultimately contributed to the broader movement for Indian independence and paved the way for the liberation of the country. The revolutionary activities abroad showcased the determination and resilience of Indian revolutionaries in their fight for freedom.

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