Savarkar in London

Savarkar played a significant role in putting forth the case for India’s independence on the international scene. He fearlessly went to the enemy camp and carried out his revolutionary activities in the heart of the British Empire. Barrister Sardarsingh Rana (born 12 April 1870, in Katharia in Saurashtra) had announced three traveling fellowships of Rs. 2000 each. These fellowships were named after Maharana Pratap, Chhatrapati Shivaji and Akbar. Savarkar received the Shivaji fellowship on the recommendation of Lokmanya Tilak and Kaal editor Shivrampant Paranjpe. As had been decided, Tilak paid the first installment of Rs. 400. Savarkar was to initially leave India on 26 May 1907. However, this plan changed. Finally, on 09 June 1909, Savarkar embarked on S.S. Persia and reached London on 24 June 1906.

Savarkar came to London with the following aims in mind:

1. To observe at first hand, the strengths of the British people which enabled them to rule over India and also to note their weaknesses and to think of ways of using them to achieve India’s freedom.
2. To meet students from all parts of India. Such meetings were much more easier in London than in India. People back home looked to these men with admiration and expected direction and leadership from them. According to report ‘Indian Students in U.K.’ compiled by Secretary of State for India in 1907 there were some 700 of them in U.K at that time.
3. To kindle the spirit of fighting among these youth for Indian independence.
4. To meet professionals, Rajahs, merchants and rich people, who came to London and possibly, also visited Europe. Savarkar sought their assistance in the freedom struggle too.
5. To establish contacts with revolutionaries of other countries like Russia, China, Ireland, Turkey, Egypt and Iran. He wanted to learn the art of making bombs from them, and put that knowledge and friendship into use for concerted attempts to overthrow the British rule. He also wanted to smuggle pistols and ammunition into India.

Savarkar carried out the following activities in London:

1. He started regular Sunday meetings to discuss various topics related to India's future. These soon became popular among Indian students. Revolutionaries from other countries such as Egypt, Ireland, Russia, China and Turkey used to attend. Lenin was one of them. One of the topics of discussion was "Future constitution of India."
   These meetings were intended to increase one's knowledge of all current affairs. Savarkar was able to maintain this tradition even in the Cellular Jail in the Andaman Islands.
2. Savarkar organized the days of the remembrance of national heroes such as Shivjayanti (birthday of Chhatrapati Shivaji) and celebrations of festivals like Diwali and Dassara. He also celebrated the golden jubilee of the 1857 War of Independence against the British in India House.
3. Savarkar had started his secret revolutionary society called the Abhinav Bharat (similar to Young Italy of Mazzini) in India in 1905. Savarkar carried on the activities of the Abhinav Bharat while in London. Copies of bomb manual were printed in India House in London. One copy reached Lokmanya Tilak in Pune.
4. Savarkar completed his biography of Mazzini in Marathi in September 1906. His elder brother Babarao published it in India in June 1907. A year later, the British proscribed the book. He wrote his famous book Indian War of Independence 1857 in Marathi. His friends in India House translated it into English. It was published secretly in Holland in 1909 and immediately banned in India. Savarkar's book served as a source of inspiration to Indian revolutionaries for next 40 years.

Sikhs are an important part of the Hindu society. In the Indian Army their percentage was quite high. Savarkar therefore learned Gurumukhi and studied the holy books, Adigranth, Panthprakash and Vichitra Natak. While in England, Savarkar prepared notes for his book 'History of the Sikhs' which he completed while in Paris.

Savarkar sent 43 newsletters from India House during the period from 17 August 1906 to 26 November 1909. These were related to politics and current affairs and were published in the Marathi newspaper,Vihari.

Three leaflets were printed in India House.

1. Gurumukhi leaflet - This appealed to the Sikhs to revolt against the British.
2. 'Oh Martyrs!'. This was addressed to the fighters of the 1857 war. Savarkar assured them ' your blood oh martyrs, shall be avenged. We will continue your fight and drive the British out of India.
3. ' Choose, oh Indian Princes '

This was sent out to Indian Princes, Rajas and Maharajas after Dhingra’s martyrdom in August 1909. Savarkar appealed to them to join in the freedom struggle.