Hindu Rashtra Darshan

by V.D. Savarkar, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar

A Hindu, to sum up the conclusions arrived at, is he who looks upon the land that extends from Sindhu to Sindhu, from the Indus to the seas, as the land of his forefathers, his pitrabhu, who inherited the blood of that race whose first discernible source is traced to the Vedic Saptasindhus, which, on its onward march, assimilated much that was incorporated and ennobling. The Hindus, who inherited and claimed as their own the culture of that race, as expressed chiefly in their common classic language, Sanskrit, and represented by a common history, a common literature, art and architecture, law and jurisprudence, rites and rituals, ceremonies and sacraments, fairs and festivals, and who, above all, address this land, this Sindhustan, as their punyabhu, as the holy land, the land of their saints and seers, of godmen and gurus, the land of piety and pilgrimage. These are the essentials of Hindutva – a common rashtra, a common jaati, and a common sanskriti. All these essentials could best be summed up by stating in brief that they are Hindu to whom Sindhustan is not only a pitrabhu but also a punyabhu.
—Excerpts from this book

This classic and unique book, Hindu Rashtra Darshan by Swatantrayaveer Savarkar, gives the true meaning and correct picture of the Hindu Rashtra, wherein everyone living on the land this side of Indus river is a Hindu by culture, by values and not by the religion in its narrow definition. The book is divided in three major parts—First part is Hindu Pad-Padshahi, Second is Hindu Rashtra Darshan and third part is Essentials of Hindutva. It is a must read book for all Bharatiyas.

148 pages, Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1949

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

[Srinivas Nidugondi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captures savarkar’s thoughts on the Maratha rule - he gives how the unity amongst various kingdoms and the perseverance and valour of the Marathas helped them to rule most of india. Savarkar uses this reign of the Marathas to goad Indians to fight again. The other sections in the book that comprises of his speeches and thoughts on Hindutva are an eye opener - baffles me why he is not lauded as a true liberal. A must read for whoever wants to understand savarkar and the context of those times

[Bhargab Borah · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome book by savarkar, it is actually a collection of speeches. It shows us what type of country actually Savarkar wanted. Here Savarkar criticized Gandhian absolute non violence, congress's ideology, muslim league and wrote the main goal of Hindu mahasabha i.e. militarization of hindus which would lead to complete independence of India through armed revolt

[Tanay Agrawal · Rating 1 out of 5]

Another concocted set of ideas. He openly praises Nazism and compares Muslim minority of India like that of Jews in Germany in Hitler's era.