Vasudev Balwant Phadke, Life and Times.
Many have led many revolutions against the tyrannical British Raj but One who ignited the fire of revolution among the Youth was "AdyaKrantikarak" Vasudev Balwant Phadke. Today is his 175th birth Anniversary.
Vasudev was born on 4th November 1845. From a very young age, he found himself interested in the arts of wrestling and riding horse. Not so academically bright, he dropped out of school and moved to Pune in search of Job. He got a job as a clerk in military accounts and was there for 15 years. And then he came in contact with a person who would change the course of his life. Lahuji Raghoji Salve, an excellent wrestler and a person revered by Punekars. Lahuji was from Mang samaj and Vasudev from Brahman Samaj, but this did not deter them from accepting each other as Guru Shishya as they were fighting for a common goal.
Vasudev learned the techniques of wrestling from Lahuji Vastad and mastered it. Lahuji uses to give him lectures regarding the need to start an armed revolution against the British, as Lahuji knew that the British are harming this nation more than ever. Vasudev was getting inspired. Lahuji also told him the importance of engaging the people of backward castes in the freedom struggle which helped Vasudev in his future task. Along with Lahuji's lecture, he also started attending Govind Ranade's lecture on how British policies were hurting our people. Vasudev, after learning the atrocities that the British were committing against the people of Bharat, decided to start an agitation against the empire. He became a member of 'Aikya Vardhini Sabha' a youth organization that helped the public put forth their grievances. During this time, his mother got ill and he asked for leave for a few days to see her. But the British officers did not grant it. She passed away. Enraged by the thought that he wasn't able to see his mother during her last breath, he quit the job and got fully engaged in the freedom struggle. Gaikwad's of Baroda was removed from power by the British in 1875 and to protest against this Vasudev launched an agitation. He went from people to people to get united to fight against the tyrannical British Raj. But wasn't able to get support from the educated class.
He then remembered the words of his Guru Lahuji and approached the Ramoshis and they readily accepted to help him. He taught them the skills of wrestling, riding, and fencing. He gathered more than 300 men that were motivated to fight against the British. But the funds were insufficient and hence they decided to loot the British treasury at Dhamari in Shirur Taluka. They looted the British Income tax which summed upto Rs 400. They took the money and used most of it to give the famine-stricken villages. But the British were now on his tail. Hence he had to flee from one village to another. Due to his generous acts, the people of Ramoshis and Backward class gave him a safe house and for time being he was saved. He continued to loot many British treasuries in the coming days and the strength of his army increased. But he realized that people are with him just for the cause of loot and rewards and not the main intention behind it. Realizing this he kept his loot with people and went to the south where he recruited 500 Rohilas for his mission. His deeds were being sung by people nationwide. He was inspiring many to loot the treasuries to break the backbone of the British Raj.
He was hence called the 'AdyaKrantiKarak' the First Freedom Fighter. He attacked many treasuries in the coming days. He gathered money and gave it to people who were suffering due to famine. He helped many villagers and inspired many to fight against the British Raj. His army was growing with Rapid speed but as we all know that good man is cursed with treachery, he was also betrayed by one of his men. The British and The nizam had put bounty over Fadke and seeing the amount a person betrayed Vasudev Balwant Fadke and informed the British about his movements. He was captured fighting against the British in Karnataka, Kaladgi village on 20 July 1879. Vasudev along with his Comrades was taken to custody in Pune. He was sentenced to life for his deeds and was regarded as one of the most dangerous people of that time for the British Raj. Vasudev Balwant Fakde was then transported to Aden Jail in Yemen. His strength knew no bounds, he took the door of the jail from hinges and escaped on 13th February 1883. But his escape was shortlived He was captured again and put back in Prison. He went on a hunger strike and breathed his last on 17th Feb 1883.
What Vasudev Balwant Fadke did was revolutionary during the harsh times when British Tyranny was at its peak. The Story of Vasudev Balwant Fadke, inspired by the idea of Liberating Bharat Mata from the clutches of the British, guided by Lahuji Vastad still ignites the fire in our hearts to fight against the wrong. He lives within our hearts forever. There is a memorial of him near COEP College Pune, where you can find the jail he was kept in during his trial. The area is completely ignored and It's our duty to protect the stories and monuments of Such courageous men.
I bow down to Vasudev Balwant Phadke on his 175th Birth Anniversary! 🙏