Marseille, the bustling port city of France, holds a unique yet often overlooked place in India’s struggle for independence. This historic city, known for its revolutionary past, became the stage for an audacious escape attempt by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, a prominent freedom fighter whose defiance against British rule remains an inspiration. On July 8, 1910, amid heavy surveillance aboard the British ship HMS Morea, Savarkar made his daring attempt at freedom, forever etching Marseille into the annals of India’s fight for liberation.
The unforgettable leap: Savarkar’s bold bid for freedom
Veer Savarkar, a staunch nationalist, was being transported from England to India to face trial for his revolutionary activities. Aware that his return to British-controlled India would mean certain death or life-long incarceration, he meticulously planned his escape. Despite being closely guarded by British officers Power and Parker, along with two Indian head constables, Muhammad Siddik and Amarsingh Sakharamsingh, Savarkar remained determined.
On the morning of July 8, 1910 at around 6:15 am, Savarkar requested to use the lavatory. Seeing an opportunity, he bolted the door and quickly assessed the situation. To his fortune, the porthole of the lavatory was left unfastened—a narrow twelve-inch-diameter opening just big enough for his lean frame. With unparalleled resolve, he squeezed through the opening and took a daring plunge into the waters of the Marseille harbor, hoping to reach French soil and claim asylum.
As soon as Savarkar’s absence was discovered, chaos erupted aboard the Morea. The constables raised alarm and, alongside British officers and ship crew, launched a frantic chase. Meanwhile, Savarkar, exhausted from his swim, scrambled towards the quay. His desperate calls for a cab went unanswered—he had no money, and his unfamiliarity with the area hindered his efforts to escape.
Within moments, French authorities, the Gendarmerie Maritime, caught up with him. Realising the significance of setting foot on sovereign French land, Savarkar pleaded, “Take me into your custody, assist me; take me before a magistrate!” His intention was clear—he sought asylum, believing he was legally beyond British jurisdiction.
However, the French officers, unfamiliar with English and unaware of the international implications, mistakenly handed him back to the British constables, who dragged him back to the Morea. What could have been a moment of liberation turned into a tragic capture. Yet, his actions ignited a diplomatic storm that would shake British colonial arrogance.
The Diplomatic Storm: International outrage over Savarkar’s extradition
Savarkar’s re-capture in Marseille triggered an uproar. Many in France, especially its press and legal scholars, condemned Britain’s blatant violation of international law. Questions arose over France’s sovereignty and whether British authorities had the right to reclaim a political prisoner who had physically reached French soil.
French newspapers labeled it a “scandal,” decrying it as a disgrace to France’s values of liberty, equality, and fraternity. The controversy reached international legal circles, with lawyers debating whether France’s actions were justified. The case even reached the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in 1911, where Britain was eventually let off the hook due to diplomatic maneuvering, though France’s moral failure in the incident remained a talking point for years.
Marseille: A city of revolutions and resistance
Marseille has long been a city synonymous with resistance. The birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte and home to ‘La Marseillaise,’ France’s national anthem of defiance, it has witnessed revolutionary fervor across centuries. This very spirit resonated with Savarkar’s escape attempt—a daring act against oppression, symbolising the unbreakable will of India’s fight for independence.
Despite his failed escape, Savarkar’s actions in Marseille became a crucial moment in anti-colonial discourse. His eventual sentencing—two life terms totaling 50 years in the dreaded Cellular Jail of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands—did not break his spirit. He continued his nationalist writings and ideologies, inspiring future generations of freedom fighters.
Prime Minister Modi’s tribute to Savarkar in Marseille
On February 11, during his visit to Marseille, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to Savarkar, recognising the city’s historical importance in India’s freedom struggle. He visited the Mazargues War Cemetery in Marseilles along with French President Emmanuel Macron and paid tribute to the Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the World wars. PM Modi also laid a wreath at the cemetery.
In a post on X, he said, “At Mazargues War Cemetery, President Emmanuel Macron and I paid homage to the soldiers who fought in the World Wars. This includes several Indian soldiers who valiantly fought and displayed utmost grit. All the brave soldiers answered the call of duty and fought with unwavering courage. They shed their blood in the hope of a better and more peaceful world. Many of them never returned, but their heroism will continue to be remembered for the times to come. Their bravery will never be forgotten!”
Au cimetière militaire de Mazargues, le Président @EmmanuelMacron et moi avons rendu hommage aux soldats qui ont combattu lors des Guerres mondiales. Parmi eux, plusieurs soldats indiens qui se sont battus vaillamment et ont fait preuve d'une détermination sans faille.
Tous… pic.twitter.com/IuQGJPaOP2
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 12, 2025
Macron said that the sacrifice of Indian soldiers in the World Wars binds India and France. In a post on X, Macron said, “More than 100,000 Indians fought for France in 1914. Ten thousand never returned. They set foot on the soil of Marseille before fighting in the mud of the trenches, unaware that they were marching to their deaths. Their sacrifice binds France and India forever.”
More than 100,000 Indians fought for France in 1914. Ten thousand never returned. They set foot on the soil of Marseille before fighting in the mud of the trenches, unaware that they were marching to their deaths.
Their sacrifice binds France and India forever. pic.twitter.com/lmjbawDCdh
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) February 12, 2025
Describing it as a “historic moment,” PM Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron jointly inaugurated the Indian Consulate in Marseille.
In a post on X, he said, “A historic moment in Marseille! President Emmanuel Macron and I inaugurated the Indian Consulate in this vibrant city, marking a new chapter in India-France ties. This consulate will serve as an important bridge, strengthening our cultural, economic and people-to-people connections. Marseille’s links with India are well known. During the First World War, it was an important base for Indian troops. This city has a close link with Veer Savarkar as well. On this special opening, I thank the French Government and congratulate the Indian diaspora.”
Un moment historique à Marseille !
Le Président @EmmanuelMacron et moi avons inauguré le Consulat indien dans cette ville dynamique, marquant ainsi un nouveau chapitre des relations entre l’Inde et la France. Ce consulat servira de pont essentiel pour renforcer nos liens… pic.twitter.com/JDbaBknEPo
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 12, 2025
Upon his arrival in the city in Southern France, the PM in a post on X said, “Landed in Marseille. In India’s quest for freedom, this city holds special significance. It was here that the great Veer Savarkar attempted a courageous escape. I also want to thank the people of Marseille and the French activists of that time who demanded that he not be handed over to British custody. The bravery of Veer Savarkar continues to inspire generations!” he stated in a post on X.
Landed in Marseille. In India’s quest for freedom, this city holds special significance. It was here that the great Veer Savarkar attempted a courageous escape. I also want to thank the people of Marseille and the French activists of that time who demanded that he not be handed…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 11, 2025
Despite the failure of his escape attempt, Savarkar’s leap into the sea at Marseille became a symbol of defiance and unyielding nationalism. The city remains a landmark in India’s history, a reminder of the sacrifices made in the struggle against British rule. His story continues to inspire nationalists and historians, serving as an enduring lesson in courage, resilience, and the quest for self-determination.
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