Independence is not merely about a free country, a flag or democracy. It is a feeling and a choice. An entitlement to one’s own opinion and rights. Often, a reason to reform. Independence is about individuality of the masses. As we grow up, we often write essays on ‘My Inspiration’. In reality, the word inspiration is deeper than what we understand at that young age and is, more often than not, merged with our childhood idea of an ideal person, an idol or someone who helps us, namely our own teachers or parents.
Some of the students even mug up essays that tell the tales of the lives of Swami Vivekananda or Mahatma Gandhi. But it takes us years, or perhaps even a lifetime, to mature enough to know and understand the true meaning of inspiration and idol. And once we do, it is then that we choose ones that appeal to our morals, thoughts and souls.
I remember Independence Days as a child. Every August 15 used to be about our locality dressed up in a tricolour, with performances of patriotic plays and music. Flag hoisting used to follow these performances, after which everyone would put up flags from their houses, rooftops and balconies, and spend lazy afternoons watching movies such as Border. I also remember stories my grandmother used to share nostalgically, about how, at the stroke of the midnight of August 14 and 15, 1947, the whole country was awake in anticipation with moist eyes.
For some, the struggle was personal. They had lost children, husbands, parents and friends in the cause. For others, it was history that they proudly witnessed. I saw how her eyes lit up as she spoke of witnessing the struggle, history and horrors. The greatest political leaders of the country were present to witness this historical event. The Red Fort was to become the symbol of an Independent India. But what about those who defined the idea of freedom and independence? Those who taught us to love the country and led us to sacrifice for our motherland? The warriors?
Growing up in a Bengali household often gives you the privilege of hearing about these people and their struggles from an early age. I grew up in a house where a picture of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in black and white hung from the wall of our living room. I was always look at the picture of this man curiously. I was perhaps three when my father narrated tales of Bose to me. On January 23 every year, we used to sit by the television and watch a Bengali movie based on Bose’s life. I was eager to learn about young days. Eager to know more about this man. Curious about his escape. And why he inspired my father.
I was perhaps in Class 7 when my parents realised my love for history. The pages of that book were like endless tales of chivalry and bravery for me. It was then that a Bengali historical play called ‘Rana Protap Singho’ was taught in class. It was for the first time I was hearing about Chetak and the historical battle of Haldighati.
In an era of low access to the internet, books were a precious source of information to rely on. I’d look up books in the school library to know more about this man called Pratap, whose horse was very loyal to him. He must have done something right for an animal to be treated by him with so much respect. I remember coming home excited, reading about Haldighati and telling my parents. They obviously knew about the tale and reacted subtly, but my excitement knew no bounds.
To my utter disappointment, the syllabus involving the Mughals featured only one small paragraph on this man. For every five or six pages on one Mughal emperor, there was just a mention of the likes of Durgavati or Baz Bahadur who were dismissive of Mughal dominance. It is during this time that I also learned about the rise of the Marathas and of course, the one man who made it possible: Shivaji Raje Bhosle.
Even Aurangzeb’s tyranny featured more in our syllabus than the man he called ‘Mountain Rat’. The INA featured in a single segment under modern history as well. It was then that I looked for alternative options to know more about these men, whose lives were eerie similar to each other in some way or the other. Perhaps, history does repeat itself.
I must admit that even though television and movies refuse to make historically accurate shows and cinema, their shows do let the names of many lesser known people reach the masses. Knowing my interest in history, a lot of friends had asked me about Samyogita, Padmini or Rukaiya, who sadly find no mention in our books. The more I read about these people, the more my interest grew in history and search for the truth.
There was Pratap, perhaps the pioneer of the idea of Independence during his time. His guerrilla warfare techniques were path-breaking and helped in future during Raje’s war in the Western Ghats. Then there was Netaji Bose, whose strong-willed nature and inspiring words led him to be accepted by a whole generation to show them the way. Even he was inspired by Pratap in guerrilla techniques and learned more of that from international reforms.
These men understood what most failed to. Freedom was not something to be begged, asked or requested for. Freedom was to be snatched, because everyone has the right to it. And freedom did not come about in a day. It came with smaller steps like tolerance, non-judgmental approach to others, broad thinking, acceptance of others’ opinions, agreeing to disagree, and most importantly, letting everyone — big or small, rich or poor, influential or powerless, younger or older — choose for themselves.
Be it mere things like what they want at a shop or something as big as what they want to do in life, freedom, as these men said, starts at home, especially with the women in the house. They are entitled to their opinions. Eras apart, these men stood for the same ideology of independence.
Unlike the popular idea of religion that is often proposed for comparison between the two, these collectives treated their followers equally. All their subjects irrespective of caste, creed or religion supported them. They joined the forces of these men, found respect and identity, and raised their voices and arms for independence. For Mewar, Puna or India.
True leaders do not judge people for anything except their actions, because they know unity is strength, and religion and caste are perhaps the easiest way to divide and rule. Their idea of freedom was not only about invaders or outsiders, it was about freedom in the truest sense of individual thoughts, opinion, action and rights. Never did they oppress or insult people who differed in their opinions, because their truth was so powerful they did not need everyone to agree.
These men dreamt of an undivided, united and secular India, because history is proof that India is strongest in its diversities. And every time we have fought wars with each other over social issues, invaders have benefitted from it. They plundered our Motherland and forced us to unite and struggle for freedom. The results are a loss of economy, riches and lives of many in the country. With their idea of Independence, these men wanted to prevent history from being repeated.
Independence does not come in a day. Reforms happen with selfless sacrifices, bloodshed and sweat. It happens with rebellions who dare to back their causes. Reforms happen without personal intentions or hope for power. Pratap did not start his rebellions hoping to be respected and called ‘Maharana’ by his men; Shivaji wasn’t prepared by Jijabai to become ‘Chhatrapati; and Bose did not raise an army to become India’s ‘Netaji’. Their aim was simple: freedom for their motherland. They did not fear looking death in its eye. Their Motherland was their priority, their god, their karma.
There is perhaps no bigger cause than the cause of protecting your Motherland and your people.
Of course, wars are bad, but they are sometimes unavoidable. Fighting is like a primitive instinct for power. The “love for Power” always wins over the “power of Love” and we can only write about the possibilities of a war-less future. But the truth is different. Reality is harsh. You have to find your purpose, stick by it, and believe in it. Even if that means standing against the world for your dreams and hopes, and never giving up even if the entire universe thinks your idea is insane.
“Stop not until the goal is reached” for in your belief, your will, thoughts, ideologies and morals, in your tolerance and respect for others who don’t align with your opinions, and your karma i.e. the work you do for your purpose, lies the true meaning of independence.
Note: The article was originally published here.