Among the many influential figures in Indian history, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, often referred to as VD Savarkar, stands out as a complex and multifaceted personality. He played a prominent role in India’s freedom struggle, contributed deeply to the philosophy of Hindutva, and left a lasting imprint on both the cultural and political landscape of the country. Revered by many as a patriot and revolutionary, and critiqued by others for his ideology, Savarkar’s legacy remains widely debated. To understand who VD Savarkar was is to explore the evolution of nationalist thought in pre-independent India and the roots of modern right-wing political narratives.
Early Life and Education
VD Savarkar was born on May 28, 1883, in the village of Bhagur near Nashik in present-day Maharashtra, India. He was born into a Chitpavan Brahmin family, known for its scholarly pursuits. His early exposure to the ideas of nationalism came from his family and local environment, which were steeped in tales of valor and patriotism. As a student, Savarkar displayed remarkable oratory and literary talent, often writing poems and essays on patriotism and Indian history.
He pursued higher education at Fergusson College in Pune, where he became involved with revolutionary circles. Later, in 1906, Savarkar went to London to study law at Gray’s Inn, supported by the India House organization led by Shyamji Krishna Varma. His time in London proved transformative, as he became deeply involved in the political activism of Indian students overseas.
Revolutionary Activities and Arrest
While in London, Savarkar became an active member of the revolutionary movement against British colonial rule. He authored a groundbreaking book titledThe First War of Indian Independence, 1857, in which he argued that the 1857 revolt was not just a mutiny but a well-planned national uprising. The British government banned the book, but it was smuggled into India and widely circulated among freedom fighters.
His radical views and alleged involvement in the assassination of British official Curzon Wyllie led to his arrest in 1909. In 1910, while being transported from London to India, Savarkar attempted a dramatic escape in Marseille, France, but was recaptured. Eventually, he was sentenced to two life terms totaling fifty years and sent to the infamous Cellular Jail in the Andaman Islands.
Time in Cellular Jail
During his imprisonment, Savarkar endured extreme hardships. The brutal conditions of the prison, combined with forced labor and solitary confinement, took a toll on him physically and emotionally. Nevertheless, he continued to write and reflect, drafting poems and philosophical works that were smuggled out of the jail. After over a decade in prison, Savarkar was released in 1924 under stringent conditions and remained under surveillance.
Political Philosophy and Hindutva
After his release, VD Savarkar shifted from revolutionary activism to ideological and political writing. One of his most influential works was the 1923 pamphlet titledHindutva: Who is a Hindu?In this work, Savarkar laid out the foundational concepts of Hindutva, a form of cultural nationalism that emphasized the unity of Hindus based on shared heritage, history, and geography. According to him, India was not just a political nation but a Hindu Rashtra a cultural and civilizational entity rooted in the Hindu way of life.
Unlike the secular nationalism promoted by leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, Savarkar’s vision of the Indian nation was defined in religious and ethnic terms. This ideological difference placed him at odds with the Indian National Congress and the Gandhian strategy of non-violence. Savarkar, by contrast, believed that violence, when necessary, was a legitimate means to achieve political ends.
Role in Hindu Mahasabha
Savarkar became the president of the Hindu Mahasabha in 1937 and held the position until 1943. Under his leadership, the organization grew into a prominent right-wing political force that emphasized Hindu unity and opposed the appeasement of minorities. He was a vocal critic of the Muslim League’s demand for Pakistan and opposed the Congress’s policies that he believed compromised Hindu interests.
Despite his political differences with mainstream leaders, Savarkar’s influence on Hindu nationalist thought was immense. His ideas later inspired the ideological foundations of organizations such as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), although he himself was not formally associated with them.
Controversies and Allegations
VD Savarkar’s life was not without controversy. In 1948, after the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi by Nathuram Godse a former member of the RSS and a follower of Hindu nationalist ideology Savarkar was arrested and charged as a co-conspirator. However, due to lack of evidence, he was acquitted by the court. Despite his acquittal, the association with Gandhi’s assassination cast a long shadow over his legacy.
Furthermore, his political writings, especially on Hindutva, have been criticized for promoting exclusionary and communal views. While his supporters regard him as a visionary and patriot, his detractors argue that his ideas laid the groundwork for religious polarization in Indian society.
Literary Contributions
Beyond politics, VD Savarkar was a prolific writer and poet. His works ranged from historical analysis and philosophical essays to poetry and translations. He wrote in Marathi, Hindi, and English, with an aim to awaken national consciousness among Indians. His autobiography, prison diaries, and essays continue to be studied and debated in academic and political circles.
- The First War of Indian Independence A reinterpretation of the 1857 rebellion as a nationalist uprising.
- Hindutva: Who is a Hindu? The foundational text of the Hindutva ideology.
- My Transportation for Life An autobiographical account of his imprisonment in the Andaman Islands.
- Essays on Social Reform Addressing issues such as caste discrimination and untouchability.
Death and Legacy
VD Savarkar passed away on February 26, 1966, in Mumbai. In his final years, he had withdrawn from active politics but continued to write and advocate for his vision of India. Before his death, he undertook what he called atmaarpan or voluntary death, by refusing food and medicine, claiming that his life’s mission was complete.
Savarkar’s legacy remains deeply polarizing in contemporary India. While some celebrate him as a hero of the freedom struggle and a pioneer of Hindu nationalism, others critique him for fostering a divisive ideology. His life and works continue to be a source of political debate and scholarly inquiry, reflecting the ongoing contest over India’s national identity.
Understanding who VD Savarkar was requires examining the multiple layers of his identity as a revolutionary, a thinker, a poet, and a political ideologue. His contributions to India’s freedom movement, his articulation of Hindutva, and his controversial legacy ensure that he remains one of the most debated figures in Indian history. Whether admired or criticized, VD Savarkar’s impact on the shaping of modern India cannot be denied.