2022-11-04 Fri

Vasudev Balwant Phadke, popularly known as the 'Father of the armed struggle, and 'the First modern revolutionary of modern India', breathed his last on February 17, 1883. He fought against the British government at a very young age. The elite class did not support him in his armed revolution against the British government. He gathered the people from backward and poor communities and raided British treasuries to collect money for famine-stricken villagers, forming the Ramos Peasant Force. He inspired Bankim Chandra Chatterjee to write his patriotic novel Anand Math. Vasudev Balwant Phadke worked for the backward class people throughout his life, as he was aware of the importance of getting the backwards class into the mainstream freedom movement. He attended many lectures by Mahadev Govind Ranade. He founded an institution, the Aikya Vardhini Sabha, to educate the youth.

Vasudev Balwant Phadke played an active role in many rebellions; his armed rebellions sent him to life in prison in Pune. Phadke escaped from the Aden prison by taking the door off its hinges on February 13, 1883, but his escape was short-lived as he got captured again. On February 17, 1883, Phadke breathed his last breath as he was on a hunger strike.

The Indian Department of Posts issued a commemorative stamp in his honour on February 21, 1984!

Image Courtesy: colnect.com