Vasudev Balwant Phadke
Vasudev Balwant Phadke was an Indian armed revolutionary who dreamt of ‘Free India”. He opined that India needs ‘Swaraj” at any cost.
He was born on November 4, 1845. He was born in a brahmin family.
Maharashtra was the first state in India to start militant revolutionary activities in order to overthrow the British rule. Long before the foundation of Anusilan Samity in Calcutta a secret society was formed in Maharashtra under the leadership of Vasudev Balwant Phadke (1845-1883).
From his boyhood days, Phadke was anti-British in attitude. In order to overthrow the Britishers from India he collected a band of Youngman from backward and other communities. He looted government treasury and committed dacoity to procure money. The government felt alarmed and made a serious attempt to put a stop to his revolutionary activities. In 1879 he was caught and sentenced to transportation for life. In 1883 he died of consumption while in captivity.
Vasudev Balwant Phadke failed in his efforts to overthrow the British rule. Yet he is remembered for his heroic struggle for the freedom of our motherland. He was, in fact, the first Indian revolutionary to set up the goal of establishing independent Indian republic. Dr. R.C. Majumdar has described him as ‘the father of militant nationalism in India.’
