Shyamji Krishna Varma was an exceptional Indian freedom fighter who was also a highly qualified and renowned lawyer and journalist responsible for creation of the Indian Home Rule Society, India House, and The Indian Sociologist in London. He was also a Sanskrit scholar and other languages of India as well as a renowned disciple of Swami Dayananda Saraswati, who started Arya Samaj. He devoted his entire life to the fight for the freedom of India from British rule and inspired through his writings and actions many revolutionaries. In this blog post, I will attempt to throw some light on his life and achievements
Early Life and Education
Born on 4 October 1857 at Mandvi in Cutch State (now Kutch, Gujarat) Shymaji Krishna was named Shyamji after his father who worked with a cotton press company but unfortunately passed away when he was only eleven years old. He was raised by his grandmother and received his education in Bhuj, Mumbai and later at Oxford as well.
He came in contact with Swami Dayananda Saraswati in 1875 and soon became his disciple consequently engaged in teaching of Vedic philosophy. Shyamji Krishna Verma went on to become the first non-Brahmin Pandit- Panditship being conferred on him by Pandits of Kashi during 1877 because of his knowledge & oratory; that same year he married Bhanumati from a wealthy business family whose brother Ramdas had been one of his classmates.
In 1879, Monier Williams, an Oxford University lecturer, offered him a job in England and helped him move there from India, thanks to his remarkable accomplishments and expertise in Sanskrit and Indian languages; shortly thereafter joining Balliol College where he became the first ever native graduate three years later.
Career as a Lawyer and a Divan
After graduating from Balliol college ,he practiced as an advocate and a divan (chief minister) in different India princely states like Ratlam, Udaipur & Junagadh. The British exercised considerable control over the princely states, and often involved themselves in their internal affairs through British Residents which were posted in each of them. Most times, this interference ignored the autonomy of the princely states and limited the Dewan’s capacity to execute policies and reforms he valued as essential. As a result of all this he fell out with the British authorities on various grounds leading to his expulsion from Junagadh. Consequently, he decided to return to England in 1897 & settle down in London.
Role as a Founder of Indian Nationalist Movements in London
– Founding the Indian Home Rule Society
The “Indian Home Rule society” was established by Shyamji Krishna Verma in 1905. This organization aimed to promote the idea of Indian self-rule, fight for freedom, and encourage national unity. He used a monthly journal, the “Indian Sociologist” to spread nationalist ideas and criticize British rule in India. This journal became a platform to voice India’s grievances against British control and push for self-governance. Its strong criticism of the colonial administration served as a powerful and vibrant tool to raise awareness and inspire resistance against British.
-India House: A Hub of Revolution
India House was the most important achievement of Shyamji Krishna Varma during the same year in London. In Britain, this house became a vibrant center for radical nationalists among Indian students. Members of India House disenchanted with moderate politics of Indian National Congress were committed to an armed resistance in order to overthrow British from India.
Some prominent figures associated with India House included Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, Madan Lal Dhingra, Har Dayal, Virendranath Chattopadhyaya, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bhikaji Cama among others. The house published articles, pamphlets and books that exposed British atrocities in India and advocated for self-government and armed resistance. Furthermore, it stockpiled weapons including explosives for purposes of assassinations of key British officers and bombings against British and their institutions in India.
Advocacy for Armed Resistance
Unlike the Indian National Congress, which was moderate in its approach, Shyamji Krishna Verma was an advocate of armed struggle. He believed that overthrowing the British Raj by force was a legitimate action. His stance on this matter made him singular in his generation among other leaders. Shyamji believed that freedom meant no negotiation and he fought to protect it with his own life even if it meant raising arms.
Legal Troubles and Political Pressure from the British Government
He suffered legal troubles and political pressure from the British government because of his actions and writings. For instance, he was charged with sedition, treason as well as incitement towards murder following his involvement in killing Sir William Curzon Wyllie by Madan Lal Dhingra in 1909. In order to avoid being arrested he moved to Paris in 1907 where he continued his work from. He travelled to Europe’s different countries such as Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Turkey, Egypt, Morocco and Algeria among others spreading his message about India’s independence while amassing support for it. Additionally he established connections across Japan, China, Iran, Afghanistan, Russia and United States etc.
Death and Legacy
Shyamji Krishna Varma died on 30th March, 1930 at the age of seventy-two in Geneva after a long illness. His body was cremated according to Hindu customs and his ashes were kept at Cimetière du Petit-Saconnex in Geneva. In 1933 his wife Bhanumati died and her ashes were placed with his. In 2003, their ashes were brought back to India by then Chief Minister Gujarat Narendra Modi and were thus put into Kranti Teerth a memorial built for Shyamji Krishna Varma near his birthplace Mandvi.He is recognized as one of India’s greatest patriots and freedom fighters who inspired generations of Indians through his bravery, foresight, and sacrifice.
