A view on 1857

The 1857 War of Independence was an incident in the history of India that not only shook the Britishers deeply but also made them think seriously that their days in India were numbered. Though this agitation united all the communities, sects together, the Britishers termed it as a ?mutiny? and ?revolt? by some dissident kings and zamindars etc. Unfortunately, the successive governments of Independent India too continued following this lie of the Britishers and some are still teaching it to the students. The freedom fighters had, however, then thought that the Government of Independent India would correct the history, nothing to that effect happened even after six decades of achieving the Independence.

The 150 anniversary of that War of Independence was an opportunity for the countrymen to apprise the new generation of the ?truth?. Many publications came out highlighting various aspects of the war during this year. The Hindi book, 1857 ka Swatantra Samar: Ek Vihangavalokan, written by Shri Ashutosh is an important publication in this regard. It was basically written by late Shri Adhish Kumar, former Akhil Bharatiya Prachar Pramukh of RSS. He had started writing it even before the beginning of the 150th anniversary, but he could not complete it due to his sickness. Fighting against cancer for several months he finally passed away on July 5, 2007. Now his younger brother Shri Ashutosh has completed the book. RSS Sahsarkaryavah Shri Suresh Soni wrote forward of the book.

The book has eleven chapters. The first chapter explains the socio-political situation prevailing prior to 1857. In other chapters, the role of other people, sects and sections of the society like religious leaders, Vanvasis, artisans, etc. has been explained extensively. The book basically belies the fact that India achieved freedom without violence. Fact is that lakhs of people sacrificed their lives for it and it was this sacrifice of the freedom fighters, which forced the Britishers to leave the country. By and large it is an interesting reading for the Hindi readers.

(Sharad Prakashan Mandir, 173, Jaipur House, Agra-282 002)