Biographical Context & Historical Significance
Life: Born in Bhagur, Maharashtra (1883); died in Pune (1966) at age 83.
Historical period: Colonial India under British rule; independence struggle; post-independence.
Career:
- Revolutionary and political thinker
- Freedom fighter and activist
- Proponent of Hindu nationalism
- Ideologue of Hindutva (Hindu-ness)
- Politician and organizational leader
- Prolific writer and intellectual
Key Works:
- Essentials of Hindutva (1923): Foundational text on Hindu nationalism
- The Indian War of Independence (1909): Reinterpretation of 1857 rebellion
- Six Glorious Epochs of Indian History (Shad Bharati): Historical essays
- Various speeches, letters, and writings
Legacy:
- Founder of Hindu Mahasabha political ideology
- Influential in Hindu nationalist movement
- Controversial figure (both celebrated and criticized)
- Impact on Indian political discourse continues
Historical Context: Rise of Hindu Nationalism
The problem Savarkar addressed:
- Colonial rule humiliated Indian civilization
- Hindu culture seemed to be losing ground
- Muslims appeared to be asserting separate identity (Khilafat, Two-Nation theory)
- Need to reassert Hindu pride and unity
- Challenge to Western and Islamic influences
Why Savarkar emerged:
- Powerful response to colonial subjugation
- Alternative to Gandhian non-violence
- Response to Muslim separatism fears
- Appeal to Hindu consciousness and pride
- Offer of active, militant resistance
Core Philosophy: Hindutva (Hindu-ness)
What is Hindutva?
Definition: Hindutva literally means "Hindu-ness" or "the essential quality of being Hindu"
Savarkar's concept:
- Not merely religion but comprehensive worldview
- Includes culture, civilization, history, geography
- Geographical: All who live in and love the land of Bharat (India)
- Civilizational: Those who accept Hindu culture and traditions
- Historical: Those connected to Indian history and heritage
Core principle: Hindutva is about asserting Indian/Hindu identity against colonial and foreign domination.
Not Just Religion
Important distinction:
- Hindutva is NOT just Hinduism (religious belief)
- Includes cultural and civilizational dimensions
- Someone can be Hindu by culture even if not Hindu by religion
- But primarily based on Hindu cultural-civilizational framework
Savarkar's definition:
"A Hindu is one who regards this land, from the Indus to the Seas, as his Fatherland and the Repository of his ancestors' ashes, and who, as a consequence, has inherited the culture, the ideas, the ideals, the fond memories of that land."
Components of Hindutva
1. Geographical component:
- Bharat (India) is the sacred geography
- From Indus to the seas
- Holy land of Hindu civilization
- Natural boundaries of the Hindu nation
2. Civilizational component:
- Hindu culture and traditions
- Sanskrit and Hindu intellectual heritage
- Art, architecture, philosophy
- Values and ethics of Hindu civilization
3. Historical component:
- Glorious history of Hindu civilization
- Golden ages under Hindu empires
- Decline under foreign rule (Islamic and British)
- Need to restore past glory
4. Nationalistic component:
- Hindu nation (Rashtra) as primary identity
- Loyalty to Hindu nation above all
- Struggle against foreign rule
- Restoration of Hindu political power
The Two-Nation Theory and Hindu Nationalism
Savarkar's Response to Muslim Separatism
The context:
- Muslim League advocated separate Muslim nation
- Khilafat movement for Islamic caliphate
- Fears of Hindu marginalization
- Need to assert Hindu nationalist counter
Savarkar's position:
- Accepts that Muslims and Hindus are separate nations (in civilizational sense)
- Muslims have different culture, history, religion
- Cannot expect one nation from two different civilizations
- But both can coexist in Indian geographical space
- Hindu nation should be assertive about its identity
Implication:
- Two separate cultural-religious communities
- Not one united Indian nation but two nations
- Hindu nation must assert its interests
- Muslims should respect Hindu majority culture
Note: Later, Savarkar modified position; didn't necessarily advocate Partition but emphasized Hindu nationalist assertion.
Revolutionary and Militant Approach
Violence and Resistance
Savarkar's philosophy:
- Non-violence (Gandhian approach) is weakness
- Oppressed people have right to violent resistance
- Revolution is sometimes necessary for freedom
- Firearms and weapons are legitimate tools
Early revolutionary activities:
- Involved in revolutionary movements
- Supported armed struggle against British
- Underground revolutionary networks
- Arrested and imprisoned for sedition
Imprisonment:
- Arrested for seditious activities
- Sentenced to life imprisonment
- Imprisoned in Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- Underwent severe hardships
Later position:
- After release, worked within political system
- Formed Hindu Mahasabha political organization
- Continued to advocate nationalist ideology
- But through political and cultural means
Critique of Gandhian Non-Violence
Savarkar's arguments:
- Non-violence is not always moral
- Oppressed have right to use violence against oppressors
- Passive acceptance of injustice is immoral
- Must be prepared to fight for freedom
- Weakness invites further oppression
Against Gandhism:
- Gandhi's non-violence is surrender to British
- Limits India's ability to resist effectively
- Allows exploitation to continue
- Hindu nation must be militarily strong
Hindu Mahasabha and Political Organization
Formation and Purpose
Hindu Mahasabha:
- Political organization founded to promote Hindu interests
- Alternative to Congress (which Savarkar saw as too accommodating to Muslims)
- Mobilization of Hindu nationalist consciousness
- Political power to assert Hindu majority interests
Functions:
- Political party contesting elections
- Cultural organization promoting Hindu traditions
- Grassroots mobilization
- Training grounds for Hindu nationalist cadres