The Maratha Movement

by V.D. Savarkar, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar

This is the story of Maratha struggle to re-established sovereign Hindu empire in India, beautifully narrated by V.D. Savarkar. A born patriot dedicated his life to the cause of independence and was responsible for revolutionary activities in India and abroad.

This book was written by him in 1925 in order to bring into the light of glorious period which had so far been dugged into darkness by so called historian in west and their followers in India.

The book is interesting to read and inspiring too.

Genres: History, India, Nonfiction

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2020

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another lovely book by Veer Savarkar. This book was written before Independence. He wrote this book in inspiring way. He wanted to inspire all Hindu to get united and throw britishers away from India. By Hindu it means those who are living in Bharat. He wanted to bring back glorious Bharat. The author bring back the past glorious by taking example of Maratha Empire. He explained how Maratha did it against invaders. He beautifully explained it with his commentary. It gives an excellent overview of the pan Indian struggle of the Marathas to establish a empire where Hindus did not have to pay jizya, nor were their life and property under threat by fanatical Islamic empires. In this book you can get history of Maratha as well as motivating factors to get united against British and get Swaraj.

[Vishvas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thrilling narrative - one of the most inspiring I've read.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very well authored, motivating handbook of Hindu past glory and glamour, for a reader with a revolutionary Hindu nationalist mindset.

If you are a rationalist, this book is more about Maratha wins and tribulations than Hindu glory per say, written at a time when the author and his Hindu Mahasabha brethren were desperately seeking collective Hindu support against Gandhian secularism. The reflections of the same ideology are evident in current day ‘changing goalposts’ of Maharashtrian politics, right from alienation of Hindu migrants to disdain for backward castes and religious minorities, all in the name of the ‘ever suffering’ Marathi-manus.

If one reads between the lines, shall notice the constant infighting and bickering amongst the Indian princely states, that lead to the rise of the ‘divide and rule’ British policy and 175 years of slavery. It’s up to the reader to decide if the British Raj brought Indians together or pulled them apart.

[Aditya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only a very inspiring work written in such powerful language, but also a great introspective work on the struggle of the Marathas for reestablishing a Hindu Empire in India. The first part of the book is a historical sketch of the Maratha struggle after Chhatrapati Shivaji's death till around early 19th century. The second part of the book comprises an examination of various aspects of the Maratha struggle - this is particularly very thoughtful, informative and full of lessons to take.

[Mangesh · Rating 2 out of 5]

Much controversial writing. Defaming Chhatrapati Sambhaji....and praising Peshwas