Revolutionary
Activities
Abhinav Bharat, Armed Resistance & London Networks
A concise overview of Savarkar’s organisational role, ideological influence on armed resistance, and formative years among London nationalists.
Abhinav Bharat (1904)
Savarkar established Abhinav Bharat in 1904 as a secret society promoting disciplined, covert resistance to British rule. Its emphasis on training, secrecy and committed action influenced later revolutionary networks across India.
- Founded: 1904
- Focus: Covert training, direct action
- Impact: Template for later revolutionary cells
Role in Armed Revolutionary Movement
Beyond organisation, Savarkar’s writings provided intellectual backing for armed resistance and the disciplined cell model. He shaped strategy through letters, manifestos and mentorship, helping sustain a cadre-led approach to revolutionary politics.
- Advocated disciplined cells and covert operations
- Provided intellectual justification for targeted resistance
- Mentored and influenced younger revolutionaries
London: India House & Network
At London’s India House, Savarkar formed critical transnational ties with Indian nationalists and expatriates. The circle served as a hub for publications, debate and strategic planning, linking diaspora activism with revolutionary work back home.
- Centre for nationalist debate and networking
- Distribution of tracts and political writings
- Forged links between London activists and Indian cells
Indian War of Independence – 1857
Savarkar’s revolutionary work reinterpreted the 1857 uprising as a unified and heroic struggle for India’s freedom—challenging the colonial narrative imposed by the British.
The British government banned the book immediately due to its bold nationalist message. Despite the ban, copies were secretly printed abroad and smuggled into India through underground networks, inspiring young revolutionaries.
Arrest, Trial & Sentencing
Savarkar’s colonial trial became one of the most dramatic events in India’s revolutionary history. Accused of anti-British activities, he faced a court system determined to crush nationalist voices.
The British imposed two consecutive life sentences — a total of 50 years — marking one of the harshest political punishments ever delivered during the freedom struggle.
Intended to silence him, the sentence instead transformed Savarkar into a symbol of unwavering courage and resistance.
Attempted Escape in Marseilles, France
In 1910, while being transported from London to India, Savarkar made an extraordinary escape attempt at the port of Marseilles by climbing out through the ship’s porthole.
He leaped into the Mediterranean Sea and swam toward the French shore—an act of unmatched courage that stunned both British officials and international observers.
Although captured again, his arrest on French soil sparked an international legal controversy, highlighting the global impact of his revolutionary struggle.
