"History is the version of past events that people have decided to agree upon", said Napoleon Bonaparte. It is a common account accepted by most of the people (either by compulsion or by conviction)
In our country, the modern education system introduced by Lord Macaulay had its own compulsions to serve the British cause. He said the following about India in 1835 in British Parliament.
"I have traveled across the length and breadth of India and I have not seen one person who is a beggar, who is a thief. Such wealth I have seen in this country, such high moral values, people of such calibre, that I do not think we would ever conquer this country, unless we break the very backbone of this nation, which is her spiritual and cultural heritage, and, therefore, I propose that we replace her old and ancient education system, her culture, for if the Indians think that all that is foreign and English is good and greater than their own, they will lose their self-esteem, their native self-culture and they will become what we want them, a truly dominated nation."
Lord Macaulay ensured that the school-history textbooks are stuffed with Mughal and British history only. Contemporary rulers of the time are hardly given the importance, and in some cases the prominence they deserve. After the 200 long years of rule by the British, it got imprinted in the minds of the Indians that whatever is British or British sponsored are only civilized and classy. Indian ness begun to be considered as Savagery and outdated even by the Indians. The post British era intellectuals and writers(most of them, though not all) presented the British narrative to Indian History which was selective and serving British agenda.
By British agenda I mean that whatever narrative was suitable to enslave the minds of Indians to accept the Western supremacy over Indian ness, became British agenda.
Scientific studies day by day reveals the antiquity of man and its activities on the earth, the existence of the earth and other planets for million of years. The Itihasas (Ramayana and Mahabharat) and Puranas (the original 18 Puranas compiled by Vyasa or attributed to Vyasa) are the earliest Indian historical records. There have been hundreds of specific references about the description of the world with continents, oceans, mountains, rivers etc., recorded in the Itihasas and Puranas, though they appear to be non-scientific today. We may think them as myth, fables or even bundle lies. If the same yardstick is applied to the so called Greek historical records, they are more myth, fables and bundle of lies, as has been agreed upon by many western scholars. Therefore, the data and information found in Itihasas and Puranas too may be accepted just for its face value even though no concrete evidence is available. If a researcher works with open mind, he may easily find out the truth.
“The Three Tamil Sangams”. The Tamil tradition has been very consistent about the existence of such academies of poets, who were patronized by the Pandyan Kings, but modern historical mind refuses to accept such narrative evidences without material evidences.Rama’s Bridge
The NASA photo of the “Man-made bridge” connecting Rameswaram and Sri Lanka with the note that it was built about 17,50,000 YBP(Years Before Present, used when the time is unknown) was published recently in newspapers. Similar photo was published in 1993 itself (Indian Express March 25, 1993) with a report under the caption ‘Rama’s bridge on NASA photo’. In fact, the report was based on two photographs displayed at the Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. One that of NASA taken on September 14, 1966 displayed with the caption “The Mythological land bridge between India and Sri Lanka through Rameswaram and Jaffna” and the other taken by IRS-IA and captioned as “Computer-altered image shows the mythological land bridge between India and Sri Lanka through Rameswaram and Jaffna”. Therefore, it is evident that after 36 years, USA or the persons behind have decided to change “The mythological land bridge between India and Sri Lanka through Rameswaram and Jaffna” to “Man-made bridge” implying that Ramayana period is not 5 millennium BCE, but perhaps goes back to Tretayuga (17,28,000 YBP), as has been held by the Puranas. Anyway, it has to be decided with the scientific methods. The date of Sri Rama has been determined based on astronomical, literary and other evidences. Astronomical methods invariably fix the date of Sri Rama between 4430-4330 BCE period. Modern scholars differ in this. Even in the method of literary evidence, they put Ramayana after Mahabharat and tried to arrive at date based on the date of compilation, editing and writing of manuscripts. Such methodology has to be scrutinized critically and thoroughly. The Tretayuga dates matches with the geological dates of the modern scientists. As Valmiki describes such animals, like Four and three tusked elephants and the fat sized other animals and birds guarding Ravan's Lanka. The elephants with big ears and lengthy and bent tusks lived about 63 to 135 million YBP during cretaceous period. The elephants with dense hair, bent tusks lived about a million YBP during Pleistocene period. These type of animals have been depicted on the horns of deer known as Arknecian. Can we infer that Valmilki existed 17,50,000 YBP to see them and record in his Ramayana? Historians have to decide.
An attempt to address the observations made during the course of my studying different versions of Indian History are enumerated below.
An attempt to address the observations made during the course of my studying different versions of Indian History are enumerated below.
THE GLORIOUS VIJAYANAGAR EMPIRE - 1336 -1646 AD
The Empire reigned over all of South Indian peninsula but does not get its deserved mention in the books outside of South Indian textbooks. Sri Krishna Devaraya was one of the finest rulers Indian history has ever seen. Ironically and interestingly, the empire was established by two brothers Harihara the first and Bukka Raya. The two brothers were sons of a Hindu couple who had converted to Islam. The brothers reconverted to Hinduism and established the empire to fight the Muslim invaders and rulers. The Empire existed from mid 14th Century until mid 17th Century, and ended a few decades before the advent of the Maratha Empire.
Durch Karnataka- Virupaksha Temple ruins, Hampi
Social Life: Vijayanagar Empire - The rich art of Vijayanagar
The MARATHA Empire - The Marathas were the thorns in the heart of Mughal empire. Established by Shivaji, the Marathas went on to rule all of Western India to Cuttack in the east, from Central India to Karnataka in the South, thus creating a huge empire. The Maratha history again, barely gets a few paragraphs in modern school texts outside of Maharashtra.
The Maratha Empire is credited with destroying and thwarting the invasions from North west side of India and containing other Muslim rulers of that period. In the end, before the British East India Company took over, the Marathas had written a glorious history to the extent of having a puppet on the throne of the Mughal Empire at Delhi.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is one of the greatest characters (Heroes) of Indian history. The Marathas were responsible for the downfall of the Mughal Empire, and Bajirao-II established a Mughal Emperor of his choice in the throne of Delhi. The Marathas were also the main fighting force that resisted the East India Company; from the Queen of Jhansi to Peshwa, all were Marathas who fought in the war of 1857 which Historians call as the first war of Independence, but I choose to call it as nor the first not the last.
The SIKH Empire -
This was one the the most powerful Empires in 18th Century India. Spanning the whole of undivided Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and parts of Jammu & Kashmir. This history is virtually unknown to present generation outside of Punjab today. The glory of this empire and its ruler, the Great Maharaja Ranjit Singh, and his great General and Minister Hari Singh Nalwa, their bravery, wisdom and excellent rule should be part of pan-Indian folklore. Their great military strategy and diplomacy during the era is a rich source of study even today.
Maharaja Ranjit Singh
AHOM KINGDOM of Assam :
A replica statue of Lachit Borphukan and his compatriots fighting out the Mughal army
Lachit Borphukan was a commander and Borphukan in the Ahom kingdom known for his leadership in the 1671 Battle of Saraighat that thwarted a drawn-out attempt by Mughal forces under the command of Ramsingh I to take back Kamrup.
This Assamese empire which ruled for nearly 600 years, is one the greatest in India in last few centuries. They are credited to have written the very first History of themselves in India called as Buranjis and Vangshavalis. They have the credit of defeating the Mughals and the English but their story is unknown to most Indians outside of Assam and other North-Eastern states. Ahom Empire ruled the North-east for nearly 600 years from 13th to 19th Century - The Ahom administration was one of the earliest known secular and effective administration in the world. An effective line of command among it's officials (military and administrative) and the common people was existent in Ahom kingdom. The defeated Mughal general Ram Singh wrote in his record about the bravery and usefulness of Ahom soldiers with multitasking abilities during war and diplomatic maturity of their king and generals. No mention of this Empire is found outside of the N-E states. That is unfair and a great historical blunder.
THE GREAT CHOLA KINGDOM (Mid 8th Century AD to Mid 13th Century AD)
This was probably one of the greatest Empires ever in the history of mankind. This was equivalent to the Great Gupta Empire and the Mauryan Empire. The achievements of their rule are just too many. The Cholas ruled from Southern India to North East India, Burma (Myanmar), Malaysia, Thailand and parts of Indonesia.
The welfare of its citizens was considered as the duty of the King. People were happy and prosperous and rate of literacy was quite high. The prosperity of this kingdom and its people can be gauged by the fact that it had coins of copper, silver and gold in circulation. There was a system of administration enviable to this date. It was divided into Mandalams or provinces and further divided into Valanadus and Nadus. Chola rulers were great patrons of art, poetry, drama, music and dance. There were many developments in the culture and society during the Chola empire. The main centre for cultural and social gathering was the temple.The Temple served as an institution in itself. Education on Vedas and scriptures were imparted to students in the Temple premises. The Temples were built as citadels to be useful during external invasions. The major South Indian languages Tamil, Telugu, Kannada developed immensely during Chola period.
Very little is taught outside of Southern India of this great empire. It was an era where Copper, silver and gold coins were in circulation. This tells us of the great wealth and prosperity of the people under their rule.
NumisBids: Baldwin's Hong Kong Coin Auction Auction 53 (23 August 2012): -The gold coin used during the Chola rule
Tanjore temple -Brihadeshwar Temple - Statue of the Great Rajaraja Chola - The Emperor
Raja Raja Chola on the right with his Guru - a mural
For me one of the real wonders of the world is: the Brihadeshwara Temple in Thanjavur. It is a magnificent example of the height of Chola Architecture, still unmatched by any in India, with the possible exceptions of the Kalidasa temple near Ajanta caves, and the physics defying Jagannath Temple, Puri.
Thanjavur Brihadeeswarar Temple
GUPTA EMPIRE - 320 - 445 AD - The Golden Age of Ancient India
Very little is taught about them in schools, despite it being called the golden age of India. Achievements of this era in almost every field is enviable if you are not an India. It was an era where Science, Mathematics, Arts, Literature, prosperity, trade and all other fields thrived.
This history gets a mention of a few paragraphs in school texts mostly.
The achievements of the Gupta Empire
Image source: http://coinindia.com/Samudra- Gold coins in circulation during the Gupta period.
4) MAURYAN EMPIRE -
Indian history has some of the most glorious rulers in Ashoka, Bindusara and Chandragupta etc, alongside Chanakya, but are not given more than a few paragraphs or an odd chapter in texts perhaps. Without these men, India’s history would be quite different probably, but without Ashoka, the world history would definitely be different. He was among the greatest rulers ever to have ruled, and is the greatest story never told. Even though Ashoka was responsible for death of many of his opponents and even his brothers. But after he became the undisputed ruler, he transformed to become ‘Great’ and changed the future of history. But less than ten percent people of this country know the glorious history. The light of Buddhism was spread by Ashoka from North Africa to Middle-east, and from Afghanistan to Japan.
Ashoka and the Mauryan Empire
- The grandson of Chandragupta Maurya
- The Mauryan empire was created by Chandragupta Maurya by 328 B.C.E.
- The creation of a political vacuum by Alexander helped the Mauryan empire, because it allowed them to expand
- Ashoka ruled the Mauryan empire from 268 - 232 B.C.E
- He conquered Kalinga, the last major region that was independent from the Mauryan empire
- He ruled using a bureaucracy
- He established the capital of the Mauryan empire at Pataliputra
- Stabilized the government and economy
- Built irrigation systems to encourage agriculture
- Built roads and highways that connected India to Bactria, Persia and many other western points
- The Mauryan Empire declined in 232 B.C.E. after Ashoka died
- By 185 B.C.E the empire had disappeared
The Lion Capital, the National Emblem of India today. The original capital is rested in the Sarnath Museum, Varanasi, UP where it was excavated. To this day, India honors Ashoka’s achievements, and the Lion Capital is the finest example. The other important sign used today is the Ashoka Chakra.
The KALINGA EMPIRE -
Virtually nothing is mentioned in history texts except its war and destruction by Ashoka, the Mauryan emperor. The stories of Dhananand and Dashratah are buried in history, not mentioned except in a chapter probably in Odisha. The end of the Kalinga war, and the massacre and destruction of Kalinga was to change Ashoka forever. For example one of the biggest omission in NCERT books is about Emperor Kharavela of Mahameghavahan dynasty. This dynasty's capital was in Kalinganagar, on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar.
The Hathigumpha inscription
The Hathigumpha inscription records Kharavela's life up to his 38th year, including 13 years of his reign. The inscription is badly mutilated: out of its 17 lines, only four are completely legible. Therefore, it is open to multiple interpretations, and has given rise to different speculations by different scholars.His inscriptions if taken at face value would mean that concept of India, Aryabrata existed since millennium. Emperor Kharavela does not get much mention.
History texts do not talk much about some other great Kingdoms, Rulers or Empires of India- the Chalukyas, Bahamanis, Gangas, Gajapatis, Pandyans, Cheras, Pallavas, Satvahanas, Sultanates of Madurai, and most strikingly the defeat of the Dutch East India Company at the height of its power by the Kingdom of Travancore in the Battle of Colachel. The history of North-Eastern India is hardly covered. The Dogra Dynasty - the rulers of Kashmir, which has its resonance to this day. No history is taught of this rule either.
THE UNSUNG HEROINES of 1857 - and some other Female Rulers
Begum Hazrat Mahal - alias Muhammadi Khanum - (wife/consort of Wajid Ali Shah). After the arrest and exile of the Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, Begum Hazrat Mahal took charge of the affairs of Awadh. During the 1857 war, she joined forces with Raja Jailal Singh and fought the British in the ‘Last war of resistance’
After the loss in the battle of 1857, she re-conquered Awadh and crowned her 11 year old son as the ruler. The British defeated her again, but instead of living in a life of luxury offered by the British, she decided to live a life in exile, and took the offer of the Nepal King to live in Kathmandu. She died in 1879, a lonely figure. Her ‘mazaar’ is still maintained in Kathmandu. She doesn’t find mention in any book. Even in Lucknow, where the main shopping area and a lake are named after her, locals have no idea about her history. Where’s her story?
A Rs. 5.00 postal stamp was issued to honor this brave Queen.
Queen (Rani) Velu Nachiyar: Is falsely called the Tamil Rani of Jhansi. This Princess of Ramanathapuram in present day Tamil Nadu, took over the reigns of her kingdom when her husband, the King was killed while fighting the British army. She successfully led an army with an ally Hyder Ali, and defeated the British, and went on to rule the kingdom from 1780 to 1790 when she died. She was the warrior Queen who lived almost six decades before the Rani of Jhansi, and hence she shouldn’t be called Rani Jhansi of Tamil Nadu. Where is her story outside of Tamil Nadu?
Pritilata Waddedar, a female martyr from Bengal who was born and educated in Chittagong, Dacca (now Dhaka) and Calcutta (Kolkata), and graduated with Philosophy, with distinction. In September 1932, dressed as a Punjabi male, she led a group of 15 men and torched ‘Pahartali European Club’ which had a signboard that read, “INDIANS AND DOGS NOT ALLOWED’. She was successful in her attempt and the club was destroyed. British officers chased the group and fired on the saboteurs, including Pritilata. In the ensuing gun-battle, she was fatally wounded but she refused to surrender, and helped many from her group escape (they were later caught and punished). When she saw no possibility of escaping, Pritilata, rather than being caught by the British, consumed cyanide and died. She was 21. Where is her story?
Since childhood, we have heard of the great sacrifices of ‘revolutionaries’, and the reverence to Shaheed Bhagat Singh - one of our real heroes. But along with him there were others too. The two other men hung by the British along with Bhagat Singh were Rajguru (our generation doesn’t even know the first name of this man - Shivaram Hari, and Sukhdev (Thapar), of whom nothing is said about. But there was a woman who would stand as tall as these men, and in my book at times even taller than most of our freedom fighters.
Where is the story of DURGA BHABHI(Durgawati Devi Vohra), who was a freedom fighter, and whose sacrifices and loneliness in later life can’t be put into words. What she was able to do is beyond comprehension.
The highlights were: She was the virtual leader of the group after her husband, Bhagwati Charan Vohra (who was the leader of the group until he died when he was testing a bomb on the banks of river Ravi). Durga Bhabhi was instrumental in making escape of Bhagat Singh possible when she asked Bhagat Singh to shave his beard, and accompanied him to the station, put her child, Sachindra in his arms. When inquired at the station by British officers, she identified Bhagat Singh as her husband (remember that she was a widow at the time, and a Hindu female doing so required great courage and conviction). When Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev were arrested, she managed to arrange for Rs. 3000 (in that time’s money it must have been phenomenal sum), though she had to sell off her jewelry too, to arrange for the defence of the three men in court. The three men were illegally hung in Lahore on March 23, 1930.
Durga Bhabhi was also charged for the assassination attempt on Lord Hailey (which was true) but instead killed many of Hailey’s associates. Where is her story? Lost in the pages, only to be read by someone like me who accidentally happens to come across it.
JHALKARI BAI - The Queen’s double!
Some people may remember the number of body doubles that Saddam Hussein, the Iraqi dictator had to protect himself. But we don’t know of a real life body double of one of our greatest heroines - Rani Laxmibai.
The name of her double was Jhalkari Bai - the body double of Rani Laxmibai. Jhalkari Bai was born in a poor family and joined the Queen’s army of female fighters ‘Durga Dal’ (which had unsung heroines like Kana and Mandira are some brave fighters who gave the English many corpses on the fields), starting as a soldier and rising to become a member of the core of advisers. Jhalkari Devi was adept at sword fighting, armed combats, shooting and firing canons. Her uncanny resemblance to Queen Laxmibai, along with her fighting skills and wisdom brought her close to the Queen.
There is a folklore in Bundelkhand in Jhalkari Bai’s honor: Macha Jhansi mein ghamasan, chahun aur machee kilkari thee, Angrezon se loha lene, rann mein kudee Jhalkari thee (In the battle-frenzy of Jhansi, from all directions, Jhalkari came to the battlefield, to confront the English).
Stories of Jhalkari Bai’s bravery are too many. She once fought and killed a tiger with only an axe in her hand. She confronted a band of dacoits alone, and forced them to retreat.
Jhalkari Bai Ruler of Jhansi Horse 2001 India Block of 4 Stamps
In the battle of 1857, Jhalkari Bai played a major part. When Laxmibai needed, Jhalkari Bai would dress up like her Queen and dart into the battle-field and lure the English army away, allowing the Queen to escape. After Queen Laxmibai died on the battle-field (she was only 23), Jhalkari Bai was also captured, and when the English asked what should be done with her, Jhalkari Bai replied unflinchingly, ‘Taang do mujhe’ (Hang me). And she was! She was only 28. Where are her stories in the history texts today? These are forgotten heroines of our land.
In the battle of 1857, Jhalkari Bai played a major part. When Laxmibai needed, Jhalkari Bai would dress up like her Queen and dart into the battle-field and lure the English army away, allowing the Queen to escape. After Queen Laxmibai died on the battle-field (she was only 23), Jhalkari Bai was also captured, and when the English asked what should be done with her, Jhalkari Bai replied unflinchingly, ‘Taang do mujhe’ (Hang me). And she was! She was only 28. Where are her stories in the history texts today? These are forgotten heroines of our land.
O T H E R . . . F R E E D O M - F I G H T E R S
Alluri Sitarama Raju - 1898 - 1924 - Alluri Sitarama Raju - Wikipedia One of the first freedom fighters of India. He led a tribal group in(present day Andhra Pradesh) to the British. He was eventually caught, tied to a tree and shot by a firing squad.
Our history books mention a lot about how the Indian leaders struggled and fought for freedom, how the Congress, Gandhiji and Nehru persevered during the Raj. But what about other groups which were fighting at the same time? Today, where do we find the history of freedom fighters like Chandrashekhar Azad, The Chapekar brothers, Annie Besant, Tirupur Kumaran, Ashfaqullah Khan, Veer Savarkar, Allah Bux Sumro who were assassinated, the young Peer Ali Khan etc? Some women warriors like Rani Lakshmibai, Ahaliyabai Holkar, Maharani Tarabai, Abakka Chowta, Velu Nachiar are not done justice with. And the list is endless.
Let us now see how history is taught selectively as portrayed by NCERT books for history for classes 6 to 10.
Indus valley civilization
Maurya and Gupta Empire
Delhi Sultanate and Mughal dynasty.
British rule.
Let us also do an approximate statistical review of the events and kingdoms covered from classes 6 to 10.
I. Indus valley civilization- around 3 chapters
II. Maurya empire-1 chapter
III. Guptas- 2-3 pages
IV. Harshavardhana – 1 page
V. South Indian kingdoms- 1 page
VI. Delhi Sulatanate – an entire chapter
VII. Mughals – an entire chapter
VIII. Cholas- Around 5 pages
IX. Ahoms, Marathas, Sikhs and other south Indian kingdoms- a page each
What happened to the Rashtrakutas, Vijaynagara, Satavahanas and Marathas who ruled for so many years over a vast empire
X. The Palas and the north east kingdoms like the Kamarupa have just been mentioned as a word.
XI. The BRITISH Empire in India- Entire Class 8 and around 6 chapters in class 9 and 10
XII. World history- 9 chapters
Can the clear bias that is seen be explained? The information about the following kingdoms is very less :
Southern Empires like Chola, Pandyas etc.
Maratha Empire (only one page for a 200+ years empire)
Vijayanagara Empire (only scattered references)
North East kingdoms
And many other great kingdoms are completely ignored.
One of the chapters of history of 8th grade actually promotes the fact that it was the Britishers who ‘Civilised’ and ‘Educated’ us. This kind of feeling must not be allowed to cultivate among the future generation of the country. The fact that India shared more than 25% of GDP/trade during the medieval period and was very rich country should also be included. The true intent of Macaulay’s system of education may also be mentioned. Our own education system had led us to the heights of scientific and cultural advancements.
* Chapter 8 Civilising the “Native”, Educating the Nation, Our Pasts III, Part 2, Class 8.
Many theories which are controversial theories like Aryan invasion theory, fluidity of caste system and some debatable statements are taught from one point of view only. The Sikh Gurus, Persecution of Sikhs and Hindus have completely been ignored. When we read about the oppression of women in the society, the fact that it started during the middle ages (11th-15th century) is completely ignored. We read pages about Sati but nothing about how it started. Women Scholars and the many valorous warrior queens are not done justice. The Invaders and Colonialists are glorified, their atrocities not highlighted. The British rule is showcased as ‘helpful’ and a blessing in disguise. In the chapter, ‘Revolt of 1857’, there is a line stating that people believed that crossing seas was a sin. Firstly, one can question the authenticity of this. How was there so much Indian influence in South East Asian countries if they did not cross seas? Didn’t Ashoka send his son and daughter to Srilanka?
Page 52 Chapter: When People Rebel, Our pasts-3, Class 8
As a part of political science we study about countries like Poland, Chile, Ghana and Belgium. Don’t you think we must first learn about our country then theirs. I really don’t think one needs to remember the date on which workers in Poland went for a strike.
More importantly, Why do we not study about many of our past achievements and greatness? Why has India’s contribution to Maths and Science not even been mentioned? Again, many of us do not know anything about Takshasila and Nalanda which once attracted students from all over the world.
I strongly think that the following must have a share in our curriculum.
Works of Aryabhatta, Bhaskaracharya and Madhavacharya.
Value of Pi, Pythagoras theorem and many other concepts as mentioned in our historical scriptures.
Contribution of ancient Indians in the field of astronomy.
India’s contribution in other fields like chemistry and surgery.
The students need to take pride in the achievements of our ancestors.
THE FOLLOWING PICTURE IS FROM THE HISTORY TEXT BOOK FOR CLASS 10-
Pg 197, Chapter 8- Novels, Society and Colonialism, India and the Contemporary world - II, Class 10
Please read what is written about Anandmath..
Lets see what wikipedia says now about Anandamath even if we don't read the book:
Anandamath is a Bengali novel, written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and published in 1882. Set in the background of the Sannyasi Rebellion in the late 18th century, it is considered one of the most important novels in the history of Bengali and Indian literature. Its importance is heightened by the fact that it became synonymous with the struggle for Indian independence from the British Empire.
The chapter was filled with the content talking about his reforms which he introduced in the education system of India and the chapter also talked about his contribution during independence struggle. But if you do a little research about Sir Syed Khan, then you will find that it was Sir Syed Khan who thought about “Two nation theory”.He advocated for the separate nation for Muslims and later(AMU) backed separate Pakistan movement led by Mohammad Ali Jinnah. Most of us dont even know that he is widely called as “Architect of Two nation theory”. But we know “Sir Syed Khan” only as a great educator because most of our historians and intellectuals always presented him only as a person who contributed very well in the sector of education.
Very Recent Distortion of History :
Very Recent Distortion of History :
It is amongst the greatest battles ever fought.
2. That how the British were shocked to face the Indian National Army face to face in battle which was mostly formed by the ex British soldiers under the leadership of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. The British parliament was forced to deliberate upon the fact that Indians can no longer be contained by force.
3. That how the revolt of Royal Indian Navy is also responsible for the Independance of India?
Following the end of World War II, the returning sailors of the Royal Indian Navy, angry with the colonial power, revolted and took control of the Bombay city. They were battle hardened professionals in control of some of the most sophisticated naval weaponry and organised themselves using the radio wireless system under their control. The revolting sailors elected M.S. Khanas their president and Madan Singh the vice-president of their struggle. The ever dependable Gorkhas called in to control the mutiny refused to shoot their comrades.
The Flag officer J.H. Godfrey (The Inspiration behind the ‘M’ character in the James Bond series by Ian Fleming )threatened the revolting officers with the then famous line, “Submit or perish”British Prime Minister Clement Attlee’s Labour Cabinet went into deliberations and concluded that a colonial control of India was not sustainable any more.
A Ganesh Chaturthi Idol being taken for Visarjan after the Royal Indian Navy mutiny, 1946, Bombay, India.
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