Freedom Fighters |
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Biographies of Great
Indians & Hindus |
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KHUDIRAM BOSE |
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The Sacred
Phrase
This 'Mantra' or sacred phrase, Vande Mataram', which inspired Khudiram, had a great
history. And greater still was what it accomplished.
In 1838, a great man was born in thevillage of Kantalapada. His name was Bankim Chandra
Chattopadhyaya. His father had once been a government official in Khudi- ram's native
place Medinipur.
In 1857 there was an armed fight for the first time to free our country from the British.
Lakshmi Bai, the Queen of Jhansi, Kuwarasimha of Bihar and Bahadur Shah, the Emperor of
Delhi were among the leaders of this First War of Independence. At that time Bankim
Chandra was a young man of seventeen. The Indians were defeated in their fight for
freedom, though they were heroic and intelligent. Bankim's blood boiled at this defeat.
Our people did not have discipline, organization, and obedience to rules, nor did they
have enough arms and ammunition. There were a number of Indians who were traitors, self -
seekers and opportunists. Because these people helped the British, the Indians had to
suffer defeat.
If a man is to give up selfishness, he must have a shining ideal before him. What ideal
could inspire the people of India? Bankim pondered on this question. Then came to him the
vision of Bharat Mata (Mother India) - a vision of the Mother in her glory seated on a
throne studded with gems. Bankim thought 'We, her children, bow to the sublime Mother.'
Then flashed to his mind the sacred phrase: Vande Mataram' (I salute the Mother).
Bankim Chandra composed a lengthy song, which opened with this phrase. All through the
song are described the form and the splendour of Bharat Mata. Bankim Chandra wrote a novel
by name 'Anandamata', narrating the very story of a struggle for independence. He put the
song Vande Mataram' in to the novel. |
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