Revolutionary Activities in Bengal: The Fight for Independence and Ideological Evolution

In the 1920s, numerous revolutionary factions restructured their covert operations, with some aligning themselves with Congress. This strategic move granted them access to the masses, simultaneously offering the Congress a robust organizational foundation in both towns and villages. A significant number of these groups collaborated with C.R. Das in his Swarajist endeavors. However, following Das’s demise in 1925, the Bengal Congress splintered into two factions. One faction was led by J.M. Sengupta (bolstered by the Anushilan group), and the other was led by Subhash Bose (supported by the Yugantar group).

Rise of the Chittagong Group

Escalation of Revolutionary Activities: In 1924, the reorganized groups orchestrated a bold assassination attempt on the infamous Calcutta Police Commissioner, Charles Tegart (resulting in the death of another individual named Day), carried out by Gopinath Saha. 

• In response, the government, armed with a new ordinance, cracked down severely on the revolutionaries. 
• Numerous activists, including Subhash Bose, were apprehended. Gopinath Saha met a tragic end through hanging as a consequence of his actions.
• Resurgence of Revolutionary Spirit: Due to intense government repression and internal factionalism among the revolutionaries, the momentum of their activities waned. However, in the face of adversity, many of these activists began to regroup. 
• • Among the emerging ‘Revolt Groups,’ the Chittagong group under the leadership of Surya Sen stood out as the most active and renowned.

Chittagong Armoury Raid (April 1930)

Surya Sen’s Revolutionary Activities: Surya Sen, a prominent figure, had actively taken part in the Non-Cooperation Movement and later became an educator at the national school in Chittagong. He faced imprisonment from 1926 to 1928 due to his involvement in revolutionary activities. After his release, he continued his association with the Congress, serving as the secretary of the Chittagong District Congress Committee. 

• Surya Sen strongly advocated for the importance of humanism, considering it a distinctive virtue of a revolutionary. 
• Additionally, he was an ardent poetry enthusiast, finding inspiration in the works of Tagore and Qazi Nazrul Islam.
• Surya Sen, in collaboration with his associates Anant Singh, Ganesh Ghosh, and Lokenath Baul, made a bold decision to orchestrate an armed rebellion. 
  • Their objective was clear, to demonstrate that it was indeed feasible to challenge the formidable military power of the British Empire. 
  • Their meticulously devised plan involved seizing control of two central armories in Chittagong. 
  • They aimed to secure and distribute arms to fellow revolutionaries, disrupt communication by destroying telephone and telegraph lines, and sever the railway connection between Chittagong and the rest of Bengal.
•  Chittagong Armory Raid of 1930: In April 1930, the daring raid unfolded, orchestrated by 65 activists operating under the banner of the Indian Republican Army—Chittagong Branch. 
  • Remarkably successful, Surya Sen led the operation where they seized control of the central armories. 
• Proclamation of Provisional Independence: Sen, displaying remarkable courage, hoisted the national flag, took a salute, and declared himself as President of the Provisional Independent Government of India. 
  • Following this audacious act, the activists dispersed into nearby villages and conducted further raids on government targets.
• Legacy and Impact: Surya Sen met his arrest in February 1933 and faced execution in January 1934. However, the impact of the Chittagong raid resonated deeply within the hearts of the youth inclined towards revolution. 
  • Inspired by this audacious act, a continuous influx of recruits poured into the revolutionary groups, fired up by the spirit of defiance and resistance.

Aspects of the New Phase of Revolutionary Movement in Bengal

Some noteworthy aspects

• Women Revolutionaries: A significant aspect of this era was the extensive involvement of young women, particularly under the leadership of Surya Sen. These courageous women provided shelter, conveyed crucial messages, and even took up arms in the struggle. Prominent female revolutionaries in Bengal during this period included : 
  • Pritilata Waddedar sacrificed her life during a raid. 
  • Kalpana Dutt, arrested and tried alongside Surya Sen, received a life sentence. 
  • Santi Ghosh and Suniti Chandheri, schoolgirls from Comilla, bravely shot dead the district magistrate in December 1931.
  • Bina Das, who fired point blank at the governor while receiving her degree at the convocation in February 1932.
• Shift to Collective Revolutionary Action: During this period, there was a deliberate shift towards collective action targeting key organs of the colonial State, rather than individual efforts. 
  • The primary objective was to serve as a beacon for the youth, inspiring them, and simultaneously, to undermine the morale of the colonial bureaucracy. 
  • As Kalpana Joshi (Dutt) has put it, the plan was that when, after the Chittagong rebellion, the Government would bring in troops to take back Chittagong they (the revolutionaries) would die fighting — thus creating a legend and setting an example before their countrymen to emulate.
• Shift Towards Secularism: During this time, the previous inclination towards Hindu religiosity was discarded. Rituals such as oath-taking ceased to exist, making it easier for Muslims to participate actively. 
  • In Surya Sen’s group, notable Muslims like Satar, Mir Ahmed, Fakir Ahmed Mian, and Tunu Mian were actively involved, reflecting the inclusivity of the movement.

There were some drawbacks too:

• The movement retained certain conservative elements.
• It failed to develop broader socio-economic objectives.
• Those aligned with Swarajists neglected to champion the cause of Muslim peasantry against zamindars in Bengal.

Official Reaction

• Government’s Repression: Initially, panic ensued, swiftly followed by intense government repression. Equipped with 20 repressive Acts, the government unleashed the police force upon the revolutionaries. 
  • In Chittagong, numerous villages were set ablaze, and punitive fines were imposed on several others. 
• Jawaharlal Nehru’s Arrest: In 1933, Jawaharlal Nehru was arrested on charges of sedition, earning a two-year sentence due to his condemnation of imperialism and admiration for the heroism of the revolutionaries.

Ideological Rethinking

The HRA, under the leadership of Bhagat Singh and his comrades, marked a significant breakthrough in terms of revolutionary ideology, methods of revolutionary struggle, and the goals of the revolution. 

• Revolutionary and Communist Ideals: This transformation began in the mid-1920s when the Founding Council of HRA decided to advocate for revolutionary and communist principles. 
  • The HRA Manifesto of 1925 declared the organization’s commitment to abolishing all systems that enabled the exploitation of one person by another.
• Demand for Nationalization of Key Industries: The HRA’s main publication, “Revolutionary,” proposed the nationalization of railways, other means of transport, and heavy industries like shipbuilding and steel. 
• Labor and Peasant Mobilization: The HRA also made the strategic decision to establish labor and peasant organizations and work towards an “organized and armed revolution.” 
• Transition from Individual Acts to Mass Political Engagement: In the late 1920s, these revolutionaries shifted away from individual acts of heroism and violence, turning their focus towards mass politics.

Bhagat Singh’s Ideological Shift

Before his arrest, Bhagat Singh transitioned from a belief in violent and individual heroic action to embracing Marxism and the conviction that only a widespread, inclusive movement could bring about a successful revolution. In essence, he believed that revolution could only be “by the masses, for the masses.” This shift in ideology led Bhagat Singh to co-establish the Punjab Naujawan Bharat Sabha in 1926. This organization served as an open platform for revolutionaries, dedicated to political engagement among the youth, peasants, and workers. Its mission also included establishing branches in rural villages.

• Bhagat Singh and Sukhdev took the initiative to establish the Lahore Students’ Union for legitimate and open engagement with students. 
• Recognizing the essence of revolution, Bhagat and his comrades understood that it required the organization and mobilization of the exploited and oppressed sections through the efforts of the revolutionary intelligentsia. 
• Bhagat often emphasized that “…real revolutionary armies are in villages and factories.”

Redefining Revolution

The perception of revolution underwent a profound transformation, no longer synonymous with mere militancy and violence.  As articulated by Bhagat Singh in court, “Revolution does not necessarily involve sanguinary strife, nor is there a place in it for personal vendetta. It is not the cult of bombs and pistols. By revolution, we mean the present order of things, which is based on manifest injustice, must change.”

• Bhagat Singh wholeheartedly embraced Marxism and its class-based analysis of society. 
• He emphasized, “Peasants have to free themselves not only from the foreign yoke but also from the yoke of landlords and capitalists.” 
• Additionally, he asserted, “The struggle in India will persist as long as a handful of exploiters continue to exploit the labor of common people to further their interests. It matters little whether these exploiters are British capitalists, British and Indian capitalists in alliance, or purely Indians.” 
• Bhagat Singh scientifically defined socialism as the abolition of capitalism and class domination.

Were the revolutionaries seditionists and enemies of society or true patriots, martyrs, and freedom fighters? 

Divergent Perspectives: The question will be differently answered by the imperial historians and Indian writers. Equally difficult it is to answer the question of the measure of real success achieved through revolutionary terrorist methods. 

• Acknowledgment of Revolutionary Zeal: Though the Ghandhites and the Indian National Congress disapproved of Terrorist methods they were not unaware of the spirit of selfless service to the Motherland that inspired the young revolutionaries.
  • Even Gandhiji appreciated Bhagat Singh’s patriotism, courage, and deep love for Indian humanity and observed: “Our heads bend before Bhagat Singh’s bravery and sacrifice.” 
• Political Sufferers: The All India Congress Committee, too, observed 18 August 1929 as “Political Sufferers Day” all over India. Further, the second phase of revolutionaries was not merely romanticist and revivalist but gave a socialist orientation to the movement. 
  • Above all, the slogan of Inquilab Zindabad (Long Live the Revolution) under which the Gandhites fought the struggle was first popularized by the revolutionaries.

Conclusion

The actions of revolutionaries in Bengal in the 1920s and 1930s were crucial in India’s fight for freedom. Despite harsh repression and internal conflict, individuals such as Surya Sen and Bhagat Singh infused the movement with their boldness and dedication. Their actions together and changes in beliefs motivated future generations. Though opinions vary on how they go about it, their commitment to the liberation of India is a powerful display of their love for their country and willingness to make sacrifices.

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