Politics of Yesterday is History of Today
Politics of Today will be History of Tomorrow
On 22nd June 1897 three brothers sat out to kill Charles Walter Rand who had unleashed a reign of terror and atrocities while handling the plague outburst in Pune. A meticulous plan was made. But slight misunderstanding in code word, another police officer Lt Charles Ayrest was shot by Balkrishna Chapeker. However the folly was quickly realized and Damodar Chapekar shot Charles Rand. Damodar along with is brothers Balkrishna and Vasudev and their friend Mahadev Ranade were eventually hanged to death. This hanging took place three decades before famous martyrdom of Bhagat Singh. He was not even born when Chapekar brothers were sent to gallows .
On 25th June this year lot was read and hear about LORDS of ’83. Everywhere media – print or electronic – were oozing with CRICKET, with match against Hong Kong being held on same day this year. There was even talks of bollywood actor whose birthday falls on this day.
But hardly a word was heard or read about this fire band batsman, who adorned the crease in two century long match against Imperialist, held in India itself. As the war against autocratic foreign was crumbling, he took the charge and led the massive line up of legendary stalwarts like Rashbihari Bose, Bhagat Singh, Benoy Basu, Dinesh Gupta and many more. They contributed to clinching the trophy of freedom and independence.. Chapekar was to revolutionary freedom fighters what Paji and Mahee are to one-day cricket and its fans. He was the person about whom Lala Lajpat Rai once wrote, “Chapekar brothers were in fact the founders of the revolutionary movement in India. They were the first to invoke Gita in support of political action of kind.” Sister Nivedita, while visiting his house in Chinchwad had said, “A golden statue of Chapekar Brothers be erected at entrance of India, which will inspire the future generations for bravery.”
On evening of 22nd June 1897, Chapekar shot Walter Charles Rand, in-charge of Plague prevention at Pune during outbreak then. In the confusion Lt. Charles Eagerton Ayerst was also shot. Plague broke out in Bombay Presidency during 1896. Presidency government took to prevention on war footing. Even law, "The Epidemic Diseases Act ", was enacted. The act gave sweeping powers to police to carry out search of any house on pretext of Plague prevention. At Pune, government constituted plague prevention committee with Walter Charles Rand as its President. He started plague hospital and even set up epidemic prevention camp. There was mass exodus from city. As people use to avoid reporting of plague, Rand ordered for implementation of Act’s provision to search houses. While Hindu and Muslim soldiers carrying out search ensured to maintain sanctity of sacred places in house, British soldiers totally disregarded it. Rand supported action of soldiers. People were often pulled out of house, undressed in public for examination. There were instances of theft also. The terror then unleashed even led many to commit suicide.
Chapekar were natives of Valneshwar in Konkan. Chape near Jaigad strait in Konkan region was their ancesteral town, from where title Chapekar was derived. Chapekar family moved to Chinchwad on outskirts of Pune in 1830. Damodar was born on 25th June 1869. Balkrishna was born in 1873 and Vasudev in 1879 to Haribhau and Luxmi.
Haribhau use to perform kirtan to earn livelihood. During Chaturmas (period between monsoon to diwalee) the family would shit to Mumbai.All three brothers had very little formal education. Chapekar had aversion for English language. Yet three brothers were well versed in sacred text and even accompany their father to kirtan. Damodar got married to Durga in 1887. Balkrishna to Yamuna in 1890 and Vasudev tied nuptial knot with Sita in 1895. All brothers lived together along with their parents
Chapekar considered Tilak as his guide. One day he poured out his feelings before Tilak about bashing soldiers who were doing the heinous deeds. Tilak told him there was no use of it. As they were merely following the orders of master. The real culprit is Rand. Subsequently talking to his friend Mahadev Ranade and others, Damodar made his intention clear of eliminating Rand.
Eventually on 18th April 1898 Chapekar was hanged. This was followed by hanging of Vasudev on 8th May 1899, Mahadev Ranade on 10th May 1899 and Balkrishna was hanged on 12th May 1899.
Damodar Chapekar was hanged to death for assassinating Rand whose acts were no less draconian than the incidence of Jalianwala Bagh led by Gen Dyer.
This incident took place 111years ago. On closer look one would find similarity in reckless firing ordered by General Dyer on gathering at Jalianwala Bag and action initiated by Charles Rand under the pretext of Plague prevention. Just as Udham Singh murdered General Dyer subsequently, Damodar Chapekar killed Rand. While Jalianwala Bag episode is vehemently mentioned in history of Independence, outbreak of plague in Bombay Presidency and its political fall out are hardly mentioned in annals of history. Lala Lajpat Rai inspired Bhagat Singh who was sent to gallows along with his friends Sukhdev and Rajguru. Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak inspired Damodar Chapekar. Lal (Lala Lajpat Rai), Bal (Bal Gangadhar Tilak) and Pal (Bipin Chandra Pal) trio constituted the extremist faction of National Movement. In turn Damodar Chapekar inspired Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. However Chapekar brothers find hardly any mention in history of Independence. If Udham Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, Bhagat Singh and others were fired by spirit of patriotism, were Chapekar brothers merely schizophrenic., all under 30 years of age, to have laid down their life, to free the mother land from bondage of foreign rulers ? Vasudev Chapekar, the youngest of three was barely 20 year old when hanged. At that tender age what must have prompted him to take this path of leaving away his love or may be could have been a career elsewhere. They were certainly not sponsored or funded by anyone, yet they laid down their lives for the country and welfare of generations to come. . Chapekar brothers were even described as first individual martyrs by Lala Lajpat Rai. When it comes to paying tribute and express gratitude, there are places named after Shahid Bhagat Singh (a road in Mumbai and a Bus terminal in Delhi to name a few). But hardly a street or a round about is named outside Pune after the persons who was the earliest individual martyrs. Does it mean that nation does not recognize the contribution of Chapekar in freedom struggle or does it think that they did it so just to while away the time or were they unpractical minded people…
It was openly famous that Lala ji was inspiration to Bhagat Singh. What is not known was, Bal Gangadhar Tilak was non descript political guru of Damodar Chapekar. And Lal (Lala Lajpat Rai), Bal (Bal Gangadhar Tilak), along with Pal (Bipin Chandra Pal ) were the famous trio of extremist faction of Nationalist movement.
The Politics or History of triangle of trio laying down lives for mother land from east was completed by Badal, Benoy and Dinesh, who killed Col N S Simpson who was the Inspector General of Prison then at Kolkatta on 8 th Dec 1930. Yet outside Bengal hardly anyone knows Badal, Benoy and Dinesh and outside Maharashtra nobody has probably heard of Chapekar Brothers.
Isn’t 22 nd June really a historical date about which we know hardly anything.
Politics of Today will be History of Tomorrow
On 22nd June 1897 three brothers sat out to kill Charles Walter Rand who had unleashed a reign of terror and atrocities while handling the plague outburst in Pune. A meticulous plan was made. But slight misunderstanding in code word, another police officer Lt Charles Ayrest was shot by Balkrishna Chapeker. However the folly was quickly realized and Damodar Chapekar shot Charles Rand. Damodar along with is brothers Balkrishna and Vasudev and their friend Mahadev Ranade were eventually hanged to death. This hanging took place three decades before famous martyrdom of Bhagat Singh. He was not even born when Chapekar brothers were sent to gallows .
On 25th June this year lot was read and hear about LORDS of ’83. Everywhere media – print or electronic – were oozing with CRICKET, with match against Hong Kong being held on same day this year. There was even talks of bollywood actor whose birthday falls on this day.
But hardly a word was heard or read about this fire band batsman, who adorned the crease in two century long match against Imperialist, held in India itself. As the war against autocratic foreign was crumbling, he took the charge and led the massive line up of legendary stalwarts like Rashbihari Bose, Bhagat Singh, Benoy Basu, Dinesh Gupta and many more. They contributed to clinching the trophy of freedom and independence.. Chapekar was to revolutionary freedom fighters what Paji and Mahee are to one-day cricket and its fans. He was the person about whom Lala Lajpat Rai once wrote, “Chapekar brothers were in fact the founders of the revolutionary movement in India. They were the first to invoke Gita in support of political action of kind.” Sister Nivedita, while visiting his house in Chinchwad had said, “A golden statue of Chapekar Brothers be erected at entrance of India, which will inspire the future generations for bravery.”
On evening of 22nd June 1897, Chapekar shot Walter Charles Rand, in-charge of Plague prevention at Pune during outbreak then. In the confusion Lt. Charles Eagerton Ayerst was also shot. Plague broke out in Bombay Presidency during 1896. Presidency government took to prevention on war footing. Even law, "The Epidemic Diseases Act ", was enacted. The act gave sweeping powers to police to carry out search of any house on pretext of Plague prevention. At Pune, government constituted plague prevention committee with Walter Charles Rand as its President. He started plague hospital and even set up epidemic prevention camp. There was mass exodus from city. As people use to avoid reporting of plague, Rand ordered for implementation of Act’s provision to search houses. While Hindu and Muslim soldiers carrying out search ensured to maintain sanctity of sacred places in house, British soldiers totally disregarded it. Rand supported action of soldiers. People were often pulled out of house, undressed in public for examination. There were instances of theft also. The terror then unleashed even led many to commit suicide.
Chapekar were natives of Valneshwar in Konkan. Chape near Jaigad strait in Konkan region was their ancesteral town, from where title Chapekar was derived. Chapekar family moved to Chinchwad on outskirts of Pune in 1830. Damodar was born on 25th June 1869. Balkrishna was born in 1873 and Vasudev in 1879 to Haribhau and Luxmi.
Haribhau use to perform kirtan to earn livelihood. During Chaturmas (period between monsoon to diwalee) the family would shit to Mumbai.All three brothers had very little formal education. Chapekar had aversion for English language. Yet three brothers were well versed in sacred text and even accompany their father to kirtan. Damodar got married to Durga in 1887. Balkrishna to Yamuna in 1890 and Vasudev tied nuptial knot with Sita in 1895. All brothers lived together along with their parents
Chapekar considered Tilak as his guide. One day he poured out his feelings before Tilak about bashing soldiers who were doing the heinous deeds. Tilak told him there was no use of it. As they were merely following the orders of master. The real culprit is Rand. Subsequently talking to his friend Mahadev Ranade and others, Damodar made his intention clear of eliminating Rand.
Eventually on 18th April 1898 Chapekar was hanged. This was followed by hanging of Vasudev on 8th May 1899, Mahadev Ranade on 10th May 1899 and Balkrishna was hanged on 12th May 1899.
Damodar Chapekar was hanged to death for assassinating Rand whose acts were no less draconian than the incidence of Jalianwala Bagh led by Gen Dyer.
This incident took place 111years ago. On closer look one would find similarity in reckless firing ordered by General Dyer on gathering at Jalianwala Bag and action initiated by Charles Rand under the pretext of Plague prevention. Just as Udham Singh murdered General Dyer subsequently, Damodar Chapekar killed Rand. While Jalianwala Bag episode is vehemently mentioned in history of Independence, outbreak of plague in Bombay Presidency and its political fall out are hardly mentioned in annals of history. Lala Lajpat Rai inspired Bhagat Singh who was sent to gallows along with his friends Sukhdev and Rajguru. Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak inspired Damodar Chapekar. Lal (Lala Lajpat Rai), Bal (Bal Gangadhar Tilak) and Pal (Bipin Chandra Pal) trio constituted the extremist faction of National Movement. In turn Damodar Chapekar inspired Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. However Chapekar brothers find hardly any mention in history of Independence. If Udham Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, Bhagat Singh and others were fired by spirit of patriotism, were Chapekar brothers merely schizophrenic., all under 30 years of age, to have laid down their life, to free the mother land from bondage of foreign rulers ? Vasudev Chapekar, the youngest of three was barely 20 year old when hanged. At that tender age what must have prompted him to take this path of leaving away his love or may be could have been a career elsewhere. They were certainly not sponsored or funded by anyone, yet they laid down their lives for the country and welfare of generations to come. . Chapekar brothers were even described as first individual martyrs by Lala Lajpat Rai. When it comes to paying tribute and express gratitude, there are places named after Shahid Bhagat Singh (a road in Mumbai and a Bus terminal in Delhi to name a few). But hardly a street or a round about is named outside Pune after the persons who was the earliest individual martyrs. Does it mean that nation does not recognize the contribution of Chapekar in freedom struggle or does it think that they did it so just to while away the time or were they unpractical minded people…
It was openly famous that Lala ji was inspiration to Bhagat Singh. What is not known was, Bal Gangadhar Tilak was non descript political guru of Damodar Chapekar. And Lal (Lala Lajpat Rai), Bal (Bal Gangadhar Tilak), along with Pal (Bipin Chandra Pal ) were the famous trio of extremist faction of Nationalist movement.
The Politics or History of triangle of trio laying down lives for mother land from east was completed by Badal, Benoy and Dinesh, who killed Col N S Simpson who was the Inspector General of Prison then at Kolkatta on 8 th Dec 1930. Yet outside Bengal hardly anyone knows Badal, Benoy and Dinesh and outside Maharashtra nobody has probably heard of Chapekar Brothers.
Isn’t 22 nd June really a historical date about which we know hardly anything.
15 comments:
really an eye opener blog. nobody remembers real heroes. Time has come that we come out of impression of bollywood and sports non existant heroes. They do nothing for our country. How much time was alloted for Sam Manekshaw on news channels?
Nice to see the picture on
aapulki
Kharatar aslyaa Swaatantry veeranmulech aaplya deshala Swaatantry milale aahe.
Like the feelings but needs a lot of polish.
is thwe reference to mahadev ranade being hanged rght?
Mahadev Ranade was hanged on 10 th May 1898 in Pune.
When one reads of 10 yr old girl being raped inside school during school hour and a traffic marshal being crushed to death by speeding vehicle in wrong lane one wonders why Damodar or his followers sacrificed their comfort.All this in capital of India. Do we understand meaning of freedom
Sh Mani Ram Diwan showed Britisher how to go about with TEA plantation in India. Since Imperialists wanted to maintain their monopoly on market,they prohibited others from doing plantatation, including Sh Diwan, through an ACT.
Sh Diwan decided to ignore it and started plantation. Infuriarated by his doings, he was hanged to death. The reason being according to Imperialists he had violated the Law.
Today people in India are taught about Boston Tea Party's role in American Independence. There is lot of talk about Dandi March & Salt Satyagrah. But no mention of this TEA MARTYR from east India.Indeed history of India will have to be re written if coming generations are to be made aware of realities like Chapekar , Diwan and others of freedom movement.
Even today some countries think they have monopoly in some commodity and that Indians should toe their line.
Thanks for this information.
Snehasis Chatterjee
the cricket analogy was juvenile.. it makes me laugh.. i understand ur charged.. but yeah this is what makes caricature..kindly avoid
It is proud to note that Maharashtra Government has announced cash award to India's first ever individual gold medalist at Olympic Games. There have been only three instances when an individual Indian has won the medal for India since its birth. Interestingly none of these games have any popularity or fan following in the very country for which they bought medals.
The proponents of Marathi Asmita or even government of land at least never took cognizance of fact that first ever Olymic medal was won by resident of Goleshwar village in Karhad taluka of Maharashtra.
The first individual Olympic medalist for India was Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav in Wrestling at Helsinki in 1952.Fifty Six years have gone by. Khashaba died unsung death in 1984.
Is he not actual Bharat Ratna ?
This is the real story about pioneers in India. One certainly needs a juvenile texts to bring forth harsh realities to light.
Subhashji
Great efforts.
Narendra Godse
In the times we live nobody is bothered about the people who gave their lives so that we can enjoy the freedom today.The goverment of the day is interested only in lip sertvice.Their are thousands of monument to deify Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi.Not that I wish to demean them but in the bargain why should the country ignore others who laid down their lives for the country.
Jai Hind
Jai MAharashtra.
Thanks for writing such a nice piece on our freedom fighter. Salute to Chapekar Bros. Do we have any hindi movie on the life of these revolutionaries??
HMM INTERESTING
I hava seen a film in Marathi on the same subject.At the moment I can not recollect the exact name of the film.
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