Pandurang Khankhoje was not only a true Patriot, he was a revolutionary, a thought leader, teacher and scholar. He was one of the key participants in the Hindustan Ghadar Party and Hindu-German Conspiracy which were among the most audacious attempts ever made to uproot British domination in India. Moreover, he was an innovator and agricultural scientist especially for Mexico where he pioneered agricultural sciences and corn breeding which helped Mexico achieve food self-sufficiency. In this blog we explore his fascinating life story and his contributions to India and Mexico.
Early Life and Education
Pandurang Khankhoje was born at Wardha Maharashtra, 1884. Very early in his life,he was inspired by the works of Bal Gangadhar Tilak who championed nationalism together with the Arya Samaj reformist movement. He wanted to free India from British colonial rule and join the Indian National Congress led by Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
In 1907, Tilak sent him to Japan to learn from the Russo-Japanese War, where Japan defeated Russia in a surprise victory. There, he met other Asian revolutionaries especially Dr Sun Yet Son of China who wanted to overthrow the imperial powers. He then moved to the US ,Oregon state where he worked as a labourer and a student. Arriving in the US around 1906 he faced several hardships. He had to take up menial jobs as a waiter , dishwasher, and hospital attendant in order to sustain himself.
The Ghadar Party and the Hindu-German Conspiracy
Khankhoje along with Lala Hardayal played a Pivotal role in establishing the Ghadar party on the West Coast of US in 1913. Ghadar Party was an extreme anti-British association composed of Indians who lived outside their motherland mainly USA or Canada.The purpose of this organization was clear: they wanted Indian British soldiers together with its citizens to rise against British and overthrow them by force and gain complete independence. “Hindustan Ghadar” the newspaper of the party, whose meaning in Hindi is “Revolution” became a powerful tool for propagating revolutionary ideas. Khankhoje’s multi-language skills (he spoke Marathi, Hindi, English and Japanese) were invaluable in communicating and unifying a diverse range of Indian immigrants.
Khankhoje envisioned an armed revolution in India. He enrolled himself in the Mount Tamalpais Military Academy near San Francisco, honing his military skills to better lead the Ghadar Party’s “action wing”. This wing focused on procuring arms and training recruits for the planned uprising back home in India. However, due to the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, their plans for a militant action in India were foiled.
In 1915, as the Ghadar movement faded, Khankhoje left for Paris to meet Madame Bhikaji Cama who sent him to Germany where he came in contact with Virendranath Chattopadhyaya, brother of Sarojini Naidu, in Berlin. Chattopadhyaya, who was leading a group of Indian freedom fighters, instilled in him a new hope. Pandurang Khankhoje engaged himself to the cause of the Hindu-German conspiracy. It was aimed at establishing an alliance between India, Germany, Turkey and Afghanistan for fighting against Britain during World War I. Traveling to Europe (Turkey), Persia, Baluchistan (Pakistan) he advocated for this cause by spreading propaganda and recruiting supporters. Khankhoje’s played a crucial role in spreading revolutionary propaganda amongst British Indian troops in Europe and Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq). Some think he went there disguised due to his command over local languages and a deep understanding of Muslim customs. Presumably, he handed out pamphlets as well as other revolutionary materials, persuading Indian soldiers to join the struggle against British Raj.
Later he met Vladimir Lenin in Russia after the Russian Revolution in 1917. “Although Khankhoje deeply respected the ideals and principles of Lenin, he was also aware that India was not ready and possibly not suitable for communism.
The Pioneers of Corn Breeding in Mexico
The British cracked down on the planned Hindu-German anti British uprising once again due to treachery as well as due to British Intelligence agencies exemplary work in this area. Khankhoje escaped to Mexico and this marked a turning point in his life. While his revolutionary spirit remained strong, Khankhoje channelled his energies into a new pursuit – Agriculture.
He became a professor of agriculture at the National School of Agriculture in Chapingo. He devoted himself to developing new varieties of corn and wheat that were more productive and resistant to drought and disease. He also taught his students about Indian culture and history.
He became a part of the Green Revolution in Mexico, which increased food production and reduced poverty. He was praised by the Mexican press and people as the “Wizard of Chapingo” and the “Hindu savant”. He also helped India by sending seeds and advice to Indian scientists and farmers.
The Return to India and the Final Years
After independence, he returned to India settling down at Nagpur where he continued with academic work and other scientific activities there. He got involved with many social cultural organizations too. He died aged 83 years in 1967, at Nagpur leaving behind a great legacy.
Conclusion
The inspiring tale of Pandurang Khankhoje deserves wider recognition in India, It is the story of how he never gave up despite various adversities, dedicating his entire life in the pursuit of Indian Independence . In 2022, a statue of Khankhoje was unveiled at the National School of Agriculture in Chapingo, Mexico. This act symbolizes the deep respect he commands in Mexico but what about India? Unfortunately, Indian History forgot to give Khankhoje his rightful place.
