Indian War of Independence 1857

by V.D. Savarkar

Veer Savarkar was the first man who called the mutiny of 1857 ‘A War of Independence’. Until his time; no Indian had dared to say so. The martyrs of 1857 are really fortunate that they got such a historian to tell their history who himself was both a historian and a creator of history. At times; we visualise Veer Savarkar coloured in the red colour of that revolution; as if he himself was present on the battlefield and participated in the heroic war. At other times; we see him patiently analyse the strengths and weaknesses of both sides—why the mutineers lost and why the British won. The way he analyses the politico-military aspects of the revolution shows his wisdom as a youth of 26 years.
The Indian War of Independence; 1857; is a step by step account of the uprising of Indian Hindus and Muslims against the ruthless British rulers. Tracing footsteps of the barefooted; undernourished and almost unarmed Indian masses challenging the British bullets by the sheer force of their will power; the author establishes beyond an iota of doubt that the uprising was a War of Independence and not a mere Sepoy Mutiny as dubbed by the British.
Some glaring truths about this book:
• This book became the Bible for Indian revolutionaries.
• The book was proscribed by the British Government before its publication.
• The book was smuggled into India and England after it was published in Holland.
• The demand for this book was so enormous that it used to be sold and resold at the stupendous price of Rs. 300 (in 1910).

Genres: History, Marathi, India, Nonfiction, Literature, Historical

528 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1909

About the author

He was the proponent of liberty as the ultimate ideal. Savarkar was a poet, writer and playwright. He launched a movement for religious reform advocating dismantling the system of caste in Hindu culture, and reconversion of the converted Hindus back to Hindu religion. Savarkar created the term Hindutva, and emphasized its distinctiveness from Hinduism which he associated with social and political disunity. Savarkar’s Hindutva sought to create an inclusive collective identity. The five elements of Savarkar's philosophy were Utilitarianism, Rationalism and Positivism, Humanism and Universalism, Pragmatism and Realism.

Savarkar's revolutionary activities began when studying in India and England, where he was associated with the India House and founded student societies including Abhinav Bharat Society and the Free India Society, as well as publications espousing the cause of complete Indian independence by revolutionary means. Savarkar published The Indian War of Independence about the Indian rebellion of 1857 that was banned by British authorities. He was arrested in 1910 for his connections with the revolutionary group India House.

Following a failed attempt to escape while being transported from Marseilles, Savarkar was sentenced to two life terms amounting to 50 years' imprisonment and moved to the Cellular Jail in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

While in jail, Savarkar wrote the work describing Hindutva, openly espousing Hindu nationalism. He was released in 1921 under restrictions after signing a plea for clemency in which he renounced revolutionary activities. Travelling widely, Savarkar became a forceful orator and writer, advocating Hindu political and social unity. Serving as the president of the Hindu Mahasabha, Savarkar endorsed the ideal of India as a Hindu Rashtra and opposed the Quit India struggle in 1942, calling it a "Quit India but keep your army" movement. He became a fierce critic of the Indian National Congress and its acceptance of India's partition, and was one of those accused in the assassination of Indian leader Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. He was acquitted as the charges could not be proven.
The airport at Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar's capital, has been named Veer Savarkar International Airport.The commemorative blue plaque on India House fixed by the Historic Building and Monuments Commission for England reads "Vinayak Damodar Savarkar 1883-1966 Indian patriot and philosopher lived here".

Reviews

[Ashish Iyer]

Veer Savarkar in his book published as "The Indian War of Independence of 1857" in 1908, explaining the historic misrepresentations of facts about the events that led to the War of 1857, wrote this.

"An Indian writer drawing inspiration from English history and English money says, "Foolish people went mad simply at the rumour that cartridges were greased with cows' and pigs' fat. Did anyone inquire as to whether the report was true? One man said and another believed; because the second became disaffected, a third joined him, and so like a procession of blind men, a company of inconsiderate fools arose, and rebellion broke out."

We propose to discuss later on whether people blindly believed the rumour about cartridges. But it will be plain to anyone who has read even the English historians closely and thought about the matter, that a great attempt has been made to father all the responsibility of the revolution on this rumour. It is not surprising that to one, who thinks that a mighty rising like that of '57 can be produced by such trifles, it was only a company of inconsiderate fools'.

If the revolution had been due only to the cartridges, why did Nana Sahib, Tatya Tope, the Queen of Jhansi, Bahadur Shah Zafar of Delhi and Khan Bahadur Khan of Rohilkhand join it? These were not surely going to serve in the English army, nor were they compelled to break the cartridges with their teeth!

If the rising were due wholly or chiefly to the cartridges, it would have stopped suddenly as soon as the English Governor-General issued a proclamation that they should not be used any more! He gave them permission to make cartridges with their own hand. But instead of doing so, or ending the whole by leaving the Company's service altogether, the sepoys rose to fight in battle. Not only the sepoys but thousands of peaceful citizens and rajas and maharajas also rose, who had no direct or indirect connection with the army.

It is, therefore, clear that it was not these accidental things that roused the spirit of the sepoy and the civilian, king and pauper, Hindu and Mahomedan."

75 years post 1947, I think it's about time we stop calling it by the term(s) the British historians used, to describe it and then Indian left historian copied the same thing. It was India's first war of independence (as Veer Savarkar described it) against the British power.

In his ‘Jail Diary', Bhagat Singh has also quoted from Veer Savarkar’s book ‘Hindupadpaadshahi’ and he got the 4th edition of Savarkar's masterpiece on first War of independence published , the second was published by Netaji Subash Chandra Bose.

Additional reading:
1) The Walking Brahmin by Maneesh Godbole (or 1857: The Real Story Of The Great Uprising
by Vishnubhat Godse). They are same book.
2) Tatya Tope's Operation Red Lotus by Parag Topé.

[Hariprasad · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great work. Can only imagine the effort it would have taken to do the research and secretly publish this - more than a 100 years ago!

Make at least one more person read this book. Salutations to Sri Savarkar!!!

[Kedar Takalkar · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was d first time someone called "the Mutiny" , war of independence..... This sole thing made the book to be banned pre-release.... such was the power of d book and the author..... A very detailed review of the 1857 war.... n all the false allegations put out by the British are nailed .....!! a must read..... to understand the cost our forefathers paid for freedom.

[Pradeep Rajput · Rating 5 out of 5]

To Know about the truth of 1857 Revolt this book is a must read it gives full information on 1857 Revolt. Great Work by VD Savarkar.

[Rugved Vadhadiya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book written by savarkarji ...As said GEETA OF ALL VEERS..It gives all the details about indian martyrs who died for saving swadharm and swarajay..

[Osheen Negi · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the historical significance and background of the book is fascinating, it is a tedious read with rambling and exclamatory description of Indian glory, interspersed with actual and speculated events. As it was meant mainly written to inspire nationalism and counter an entirely colonial telling of history, I try not to judge too harshly.
The story of the the conspiracy and the people involved in it is very interesting. It's a little repetitive and overly sentimental, but Savarkar manages to flesh out the characters and the story very well. A worthwhile read as an example of agitprop that went on to inspire scores of young nationalists, and insightful if read as such.
Perhaps the most striking thing about the book is the fact that the 24 year old who wrote such a fiercely secular book became the father of the Hindu fascist movement. Oh, well.

[Kashyap Karthik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hats off to the work by Babuji.
It can be called as a 'Bhagavatgeeta' for all revolutionaries. Even today the wordings in the book are inspirational.
A must read book by all youngsters.

Thanks to Sawarkarji.
#VandeMataram

[Guruprasad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must Read Book to understand the First War of Independence of 1857

[DS Chauhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is must read. A balanced critical work on all aspects of origin and purpose

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful and detailed research oriented book.

[Shreyas 'Hosh' Trivedi · Rating 5 out of 5]

incredible book. It have gone through the journey that i have never heard or taught in my.life. i feel that i haven't given true and clear information of our history especially in time of independence somehow movement of Gandhijee always given priority but the fact is that such a independence​ war gave a platform. The way Savarkarjee has written i am not surprised that it was banned before publication. Thousand salute to him. Really my thoughts are very much affected by him after reading his books.I must say each Indian must read this book and feel how independence came and how indian fought except non violation which i hate. An independence without shedding blood has less value in mind of people, i strongly believe that. जय हिंद। वंदे मातरम

[Akshat Solanki · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are few books that show the glory of Indian independence and the history of the same.
Well, this book has got the same thing with it.
The book is written by one of the famous freedom fighters, prolific Marathi writers, Veer Sawarkar.
It portrays the then Indian history and unwinds each and everything slowly, but in a purposeful manner.
This is the reason, the author is still referred as one of the best literary figures in Marathi and so The republic of India.
It's a great and an insightful reading and must read for all Marathi youngsters.
I have its first edition.

[Devanshu Vashishtha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read book if you want to know the true history of the revolt of 1857.
I gave you insight that wether it was mere soilders revolt just for some garbage bullets. Or bullets act as the spark in barrel of gun powder of the zeal of freedom that indians have in their hearts.
It will make you aware about many unknown faces hidden in history of time who have spent their all even life in serving the land and freedom.
This book was remarkable work of history written by veer savarkar and known as the geeta of freedom fighters.

[Prathamesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

All time favourite!!

[Pratima · Rating 4 out of 5]

Its good book

[Lasic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the first book written on The Indian War of Independence 1857. No doubt why this book was banned. Salute to Savarkar.

[Abhishek Gadgil · Rating 5 out of 5]

First-ever book written on the subject which called it the 'First War of Independence'.

[Prasenjit Basu · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is a masterly history that tells the authentic story of the Indian Revolution of 1857. Since the revolution failed, its story is hardly known to modern Indians today; and what little is known is told through a British prism. A key reason is that this book, written by the 24 year old Veer Savarkar to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1857 revolution (but actually published in London on the 52nd anniversary of the rising in Meerut, i.e., 10th May 1909) was banned by the British even BEFORE it was published. A smuggled version was first published in Holland, then in France, before it finally made it to print in London. Meanwhile the author was arrested, and was sent to solitary confinement (and extreme torture) in "Kalapani" (the Cellular Jail at Port Blair, Andaman Islands).
Sadly, the book ban remained in place until 1946, and was never entirely lifted thereafter, making it permanently difficult to obtain the book — which used to be (clandestinely) the “Bible” (or should we say Mahabharata) of all Indian revolutionaries in the 1920s and 1930s (including Bhagat Singh and Surya Sen), as well as for the Ghadarites in WWI and the INA in WWII. I finally was able to read a reprint issued in 2019, and hence available at amazon.in.
The most striking feature of the book is the passion with which the author extols the glories of the heroic leaders and warriors of that war, and in particular the Hindu-Muslim unity that lay at its heart — and made it so potent against the might of British technological and strategic superiority. This is most evident in how he describes the death of Moulvi Ahmed Shah (one of the Indian heroes who had captured Bareilly and much of Awadh as late as May 1858) at the hands of the cowardly traitor, Raja Jagannath Singh of Powen and his brother.
Similarly, the role of Jung Bahadur Rana of Nepal in helping the British by outflanking Tatya Tope and his heroic forces after they’d reconquered Lucknow is thoroughly and frankly exposed. Tragically, the British won because the Rajas of Patiala, Jind, Nabha (whose descendants are still very much part of our modern elite) and Kashmir were like immovable rocks of support to the British.
But the real story of course begins with Nana Saheb (the adopted son of the feckless last Maratha Peshwa, Baji Rao II) and his assistant Azimullah Khan seeking support from the Russians and Ottomans for their coming revolution, and then meticulously planning it through visits in 1856 to Ambala, Meerut, Jhansi, Bareilly, Barrackpore (each of the places that would rise up in 1857) to plan and instigate the sipahis. The chapatis with incendiary messages were their doing, not some spontaneous unplanned eruption. Mangal Pandey acted three months too early (the actual war had been planned to begin on 23rd June, the centenary of the tragic Battle of Polashi via which the British had gained the vast province of Bengal). And the uprising in Meerut on 10th May was too early as well; once they’d acted, however, Bareilly and all Ayodhya (the original name for what was then known as “Awadh” or “Oudh”) rose up in revolt and they soon captured Delhi. Nana Saheb’s forces captured Kanpur and replanted the saffron flag of the Marathas there and across North India, in close alliance with the Mughals.
Tatya Tope and Rani Lakshmibai in early-1858, Kunwar Singh and Amar Singh in Bihar, the Nawab of Farrukhabad, Bakht Khan and his forces from Bareilly, Nana Saheb and Bala Rao are all described in heroic detail. The tragic story of how Delhi was lost on 20th September — after Patiala enabled a massive British siege train to relieve the beleaguered British on Delhi’s ridge -- is told in graphic detail. It is a story that we all must know and read, so that the British-inspired story that 1857 was a mere “mutiny” can be buried once and for all. In reality, the sepoys rose and fought in the name of the Mughal emperor on whose behalf the East India Company ruled, based on the 1713 firman from emperor Farrukhsiyar (and, until 1835, the EICo implicitly acknowledged this by issuing its coins in the name of the Mughal emperor).
The book lays bare the horrific massacres by the British (for instance, the burning of dozens of villages around Benares, and the indiscriminate slaughter of over 6000 civilians in the area around Allahabad) soon after the revolution began. Tragically, a book banned by the British has never been properly unbanned by independent India. So three generations have been deprived of the heroic story of how Hindus and Muslims combined their forces in 1857-58 to nearly bring the British Empire to its knees. This great secular story needs to be read and widely known.

[Purva Abhyankar · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the moment that I started reading the first page, I was completely hooked up by this. This isn’t the history we are taught. This should be the history that should be taught in schools. So much detail and so much to learn! This book indeed leaves a mark on your heart. How much the people of India struggled for independence. It wasn’t a revolt. It was a full fledged was against the British Raj. Hats off again to the greatest historian that has ever lived - Swatantraveer Bharat Ratna Dr VD Savarkar! Vande Mataram!

[Upendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Indian independence history

Itihas that has been hidden from Indian by Indian.... I wish this book become part of history teaching in achool

[Mayank Parkhi · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the words of one of India's most revered former prime ministers, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayeejee Ji -
Savarkar means radiance! (Tej) Savarkar means sacrifice! (Tyag) Savarkar means hard work! (tup) Savarkar means principles! (Tatva) Savarkar means logic! (Tarka) Savarkar means Vigour! (Tarunya) Savarkar means a piercing arrow! (Teer) Savarkar means a fine Sword! (Talwar)

And Swatantrya Veer Savarkar was nothing short of the above. But, unfortunately, Veer Savarkar was treated as a persona non-grata during the post-independence Nehruvian - Gandhi era, and even today, Veer Savarkar's legacy remains contested. To form an objective opinion of the person of such a high prominence, one must read and study their own writing. Despite all of this, very few can argue today that he was the 1st one to describe and say that the Indian rebellion of 1857 was a unified and national-level uprising of India. The book argues that it was not merely a small-scale military mutiny but a war of independence waged upon the oppressors by British sepoys of Indian origin, Indian princes, and Indian people alike. According to Veer Savarkar, the principal reasons behind the war were Swadharma, Swarajya, and Swadesh, which loosely translates as protection of religion, nation, and motherland.

This book is a testament to his efforts and contribution to India's organized revolution and his endeavors of inspiring generations of Indian youth towards the freedom struggle. While studying in England, Veer Savarkar was highly impressed with the works of Mazzini, French and American revolutions, and Maratha conquests. The purpose behind the book was to inspire a generation of Indian revolutionaries in India and bring the Indian freedom struggle to people's attention in Britain. The book was considered so provocative and inflammatory that its Marathi version was banned in India even before the publication.

The book is masterfully written by Veer Savarkar, has an eloquent language, the necessary rhetoric, and is filled with many figures of speech. Veer Savarkar has used a volcano metaphor to describe the war of independence and has elegantly split the book into 4 parts - the volcano, the eruption, the destructive wildfire, and temporary peace. The idea behind the same is to escalate the narrative and the tension and build up a great climax. Veer Savarkar reserves the most prominent stories for the end, including accounts of legendary Maharani Laxmibai, old warrior-king Kunvar Singh, nationalist leader Maulavi Ahmadulla, and ingenious strategist Tatya Tope. There are multiple places where you would get goosebumps near the end of the book. In the last chapter, Veer Savarkar hints that the peace is temporary, and the British should expect more extensive resistance from the Indian population.

The book also does a phenomenal job of summarizing critical reasons behind the war, the rationale and driving forces behind why it played out the way it did, and its failures. The book also credits the British leaders' discipline and courage and admires them for their nationalistic fervor. Writing this book is a fantastic feat considering it is so well researched, and the research and background work was done during the peak of Britain's hold in India.

[Sudhanshu Parashar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Atleast 800,000 Indians including infants and pregnant women were killed by Britishers during and after the first war of independence which started on 10 May, 1857. Villages were burned, people were hanged, guns and canons were fired upon them. What was their fault? They supported the revolutionaries. Even if they didn't, still brutal death was what they got.

This book written by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar was the first book in the world which got banned before getting published (and remained banned till 1946). Britishers were so afraid of it that even they didn't know who was its author and what was actually written in it, still they tried their best to stop it from getting published just on the basis of few pages. But revolution is something that can't be stopped. It got illegally published and lakhs of revolutionaries including Sardar Bhagat Singh and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose got inspiration from it. It became the holiest book for revolutionaries. As a result, Savarkar was sentenced to two life terms of imprisonment totalling 50 years and was moved to the Cellular jail, popularly known as Kaala Paani. A popular leader of our nation has been calling Savarkar a traitor and coward from a long time. Infact many people in our country have the same opinion without knowing anything about him. I would just suggest them to read this book and they will get to know who Veer Savarkar actually was. He was far better than those so called political prisoners who got VIP treatment in jails. He was someone who told the youth what revolution actually means. He told the world that it wasn't just a 'Sepoy Mutiny' of 1857, it was a well planned 'First War of Independence.' He told the world that it was for the first time in Indian history when Brahmins and Dalits, Hindus and Muslims fought together against a common enemy and for a common goal, that was, swarajya and swadharm. He told us that how we lost because of traitors and all those royal houses that exist today, were the traitors of 1857.

And last but not the least, he told us about those unsung heroes like Mangal Pandey, Tatya Tope, Nana Saheb Peshwa, Azimullah Khan, Bahadur Shah Zafar, Maulvi Ahmed Shah, Rani Laxmibai, Kunwar Singh, Amar Singh, Rao Sahab Peshwa and many more. Otherwise we would have lost them somewhere inmidst of history.

Along with all this, he has openly admitted mistakes made by our freedom fighters which were also a very big reason for our failure.

Never in my life I have ever read such an honest book. It just spoke truth. This is what Vajpayee ji had once said about Savarkar which I today feel was absolutely true;

"सावरकर माने तेज, सावरकर माने त्याग, सावरकर माने तप, सावरकर माने तत्व, सावरकर माने तर्क, सावरकर माने तारुण्य, सावरकर माने तीर, सावरकर माने तलवार।"

[Ramu · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I am reading this book with absolute freedom for which thousands of people if not millions gave absolutely everything to accomplish 2 principles swarajya and swadharma. Must read for all who enjoy the freedom which came our way without drop of blood of ours. That’s the least we can do to honor those by knowing what did they do for us . If not for the effort of patriot like Savarkar who captured every detail of 1857 freedom struggle these details would have been concealed from the history of independent India and what we would have known was what brits wants us to know. A great lesson for any revolution in what can go wrong in such a well coordinated effort. If not for Ignorance , selfishness and dishonesty of some group of people we would had freedom ages ago. Any revolution should have vision of *what after that * and lack of such vision was the main reason for the failure. Irrespective of that 1857 revolution brought the fire in the people to revolt against authoritarian govt and will also inspire generations to come. I am glad I was able to read this book, thanks to Savarkar

[Srinivas Nidugondi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read book for every indian. Thankfully the so called 1857 mutiny is now more widely acclaimed as the first war for independence.
The book details out the reasons and the 1+ year of the war for independence. While it could be argued the book could be written a little differently and the overall story spun better, for me, the emotions with which Savarkar wrote and described the happenings cannot be matched by anyone else. Little wonder so many revolutionaries and freedom fighters espoused this book.

[Vivek Ratna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the English version and it was very a good read. Never had I read about the 1857 war of independence in such details. I had heard of all the stalwarts like Kumar Singh or Tatia Tope but never did I know in details their feat. It’s a must read book for anyone who would like to know the history of India better.

[Pramod Divedi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best and only authentic well researched book, a history book which has a history of its own. Only book which was docked even before it was published. Book which inspired generations like Bhagat Singh and Netaji Subhash Chandra bose. A little tough read but nevertheless a great read.

[Manju · Rating 5 out of 5]

yhyjytrghthgbgfbrthshn

[Vishal Jambhekar]

Very good book for someone who in interested in an Indians point of view for the 1947 revolt against the British rule.

[Vinayak B H · Rating 5 out of 5]

The nation that has no consciousness of its past has no future.

[Amogh Pendse · Rating 4 out of 5]

प्रखर असे स्वातंत्र्यसमर . एक ठिणगी विनाशाची .