Revolutionary Activities in Bengal (1902-1917)

During the Early phase, revolutionary nationalism confined to India was in Bengal, Maharashtra, Punjab, U.P.Orissa, Biha, and Madras provinces, but it predominantly operated in major three regions Bengal, Maharashtra, and Punjab as these regions were more politically active than other parts of the country. Now let us study a brief survey of the revolutionary activities in different parts of India and abroad before and during the First World War.

Revolutionary Activities in Bengal

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In the 1870s, secret societies were present among Calcutta’s student community, although they remained relatively inactive. The first revolutionary groups like the Anushilan Samiti, led by Jnanendranath Basu in Midnapore and Promotha Mitter in Calcutta, and including Jatindranath, were established in 1902. However, their activities were primarily focused on providing physical and moral training to their members and had little impact until 1907-08. 

Major Activities

• Formation  of Yugantar: By April 1906, an inner circle within the Anushilan group, consisting of Barindra Kumar Ghosh and Bhupendranath Dutta, initiated the publication of the weekly “Yugantar” and carried out a few unsuccessful actions. 

• Revolutionary Violence in Indian Newspapers: During 1905-06, various newspapers began advocating revolutionary violence.
  •  For example, after severe police brutality at the Barisal Conference in April 1906, “Yugantar” wrote remedy lies with the people. The thirty crore people inhabiting India must raise their sixty crore hands to stop this curse of oppression. 
    • Force must be stopped by force.
• Jatindranath Mukherjee (Bagha Jatin) led the western Anushilan Samiti, which transformed into the Jugantar (or Yugantar) and expanded its reach to various regions in Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa.
• Rashbehari Bose and Sachin Sanyal established a secret society that operated across Punjab, Delhi, and the United Provinces, while individuals like Hemachandra Kanungo sought military and political training abroad.
• Secret Societies and Overseas Training: In 1904, V.D. Savarkar organized Abhinav Bharat as a secret society of revolutionaries. 
  • After 1905 several newspapers openly (and a few leaders secretly) began to advocate revolutionary terrorism. 
• Establishment and Evolution of Abhinav Bharat: In 1907, the Yugantar group made an unsuccessful attempt on the life of the British official Sir Fuller, who was unpopular. 
  • In December 1907, there were efforts to derail a train carrying the lieutenant governor, Sri Andrew Fraser. 
• In 1908, Prafulla Chaki and Khudiram Bose threw a bomb at a carriage, mistakenly targeting a white judge, Kingsford, in Muzaffarpur, resulting in the unintended deaths of two British ladies. 
• In February 1909, a public prosecutor was shot dead in Calcutta, and in February 1910, a deputy superintendent of police met the same fate outside the Calcutta High Court. 
• In 1908, the Barrah dacoity was organized by the Dacca Anushilan to raise funds for revolutionary activities. 

German Plot or Zimmerman Plan

• Jugantar Party’s German Plot: During World War I, the Jugantar party attempted to import German arms and ammunition for an insurgency in the ‘German Plot’ or ‘Zimmerman Plan.’ 
  • They raised funds through dacoities, such as taxicab and boat dacoities, but the plan was foiled due to a leak. 
  • Bagha Jatin and his associates were located and engaged in a gunfight with the police, resulting in their deaths or arrests. 
  • Bagha Jatin died a hero’s death in Balasore in September 1915.

Major Conspiracy Case

Alipore Conspiracy Case (1908)

• Arrests and Trials: The entire Anushilan group, including the Ghosh brothers, Aurobindo, and Barindra, were arrested and tried in the Alipore conspiracy case. 
• Searches and Arrests in Calcutta: The Alipore Conspiracy Case had connections with Calcutta (now Kolkata), West Bengal. 
  • The authorities conducted searches for illicit arms in various locations in Calcutta, including Maniktala Gardens, which led to the arrest of several individuals involved in revolutionary activities. 
• Aurobindo was acquitted, but Barindra Ghosh and Ullaskar Dutt received the death penalty, later commuted to life in prison. 

Delhi Conspiracy Case (1912)

• Rashbehari Bose and Sachin Sanyal carried out a bomb attack on Viceroy Hardinge in December 1912, injuring him.

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• These actions led to the Delhi Conspiracy trial, resulting in the conviction and execution of Basant Kumar Biswas, Amir Chand, and Avadh Behari. Rash Behari Bose, the alleged mastermind, escaped arrest. 

Conclusion

Revolutionary activities in Bengal from the early 1900s to World War I were marked by a blend of fervent ambition and tragic missteps. Groups like the Anushilan Samiti and Jugantar played pivotal roles in challenging British rule through direct action and secret plotting. Despite their significant efforts, such as the German Plot and various violent acts, their impact was often limited by internal divisions and external failures. Nonetheless, their courageous struggle highlighted the intense nationalist fervor that characterized this tumultuous period.

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