Bipin Chandra Pal, Father of Revolutionary Thoughts

Bipin Chandra Pal, who was a member of the Lal-Bal-Pal triumvirate, is widely known as the “Father of revolutionary thoughts in India.” He was a multi-talented individual who excelled as a writer, orator, teacher, librarian, and journalist. His leadership in revolutionary movements, which involved strategies such as boycotts and strikes, showcased his dynamic influence.

Pal’s unique perspective on Indian nationalism was grounded in spirituality, emphasizing the significance of tradition over violence. He believed in a holistic approach that went beyond mere political dimensions. Devoted to India’s age-old traditions, he envisioned a synthesis that is evident in his numerous writings. Pal’s unwavering priority was the Motherland, which shaped his profound impact on the Indian nationalist movement.

Also read: Lala Lajpat Rai and Bal Gangadhar Tilak  and Bipin Chandra Pal of ‘Lal-Bal-Pal’ triumvirate

Early Life of Bipin Chandra Pal

Bipin Chandra Pal was born on November 7, 1858, in Poil, Habiganj village in Sylhet, District, Bengal Presidency of British India to a wealthy Hindu Kayastha family. His father, Ramchandra Pal was a Persian scholar, a village zamindar, and a prominent member of the Sylhet Bar. Although he was a follower of Vaishnavism, he was influenced by both Hindu rituals and Islamic thought.

Education

Bipin Chandra Pal received his early education from a Maulvi in Sylhet town and did schooling from the Sylhet Government High School. He then enrolled in the Presidency College, Calcutta but discontinued his studies before graduating. Despite this, his literary competence was notable, and he extensively studied the Bhagavadgita and the Upanishads.

Career

Bipin Chandra Pal began his career in 1879 as a Headmaster of a High School. He continued to serve in this capacity in various schools, both in and outside of Sylhet. From 1890-91, he worked as the librarian and secretary of the Calcutta Public Library.

Influential Encounters

Bipin Chandra Pal was a librarian at Calcutta Public Library, where he met political leaders like Shivnath Shashtri, S.N Banerjee, and B.K. Goswami. Their influence inspired Pal to leave teaching and pursue a career in politics. He was deeply influenced by the ideologies of Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, and Aurobindo Ghosh. He started to participate actively in the nationalist thoughts and the movement.

In 1898, Pal went to England for comparative ideology studies, and upon his return, he fervently advocated the idea of Swaraj. Pal was a skilled journalist and orator, and he fearlessly championed nationalism, humanity, and complete independence.

Bipin Chandra Pal in the Congress Sessions

The establishment of the Indian National Congress in 1885 signaled the start of an important era in Indian politics. However, it was during the second session in 1886 that Bengali leaders, particularly Bipin Chandra Pal, emerged as prominent figures whose impactful contributions went beyond just political affiliations.

Pal’s association with the Indian National Congress commenced in the Annual session held in Calcutta in 1886. Before this, he had garnered recognition as an eloquent speaker during extensive lecture tours across Bengal and South India. As a delegate from Sylhet, Pal made an influential debut by forming alliances with leaders from Maharashtra, notably Nam Joshi. He participated in the Annual Session of Congress in 1886 and 1887.

Advocacy for Tea Garden Laborers in Assam, 1886

During the Annual Session of Congress held in Calcutta in 1886, Bipin Chandra Pal raised concerns regarding the inhumane treatment of tea garden laborers in Assam. Although he failed to pass a resolution on this issue, his efforts shed light on the tragic conditions these workers faced. It is important to remember that Pal was the first to bring this issue to the attention of national leaders at a gathering, and his actions helped to raise awareness about the plight of tea workers.

His efforts for the plight of plantation workers in Assam persuaded the British government to pass the Assam Labour and Emigration Act, 1901 which established minimum wages for contract labours.

In the Annual Session of Congress held in 1887 in Madras, Bipin Chandra Pal made a strong plea for repeal of the Arms Act which was discriminatory.

English daily ‘New India’ August 1901

To promote the idea of Swaraj, Bipin Chandra started the English weekly ‘New India’ in 1901. New India, edited by Bipin Chandra Pal, was the only English medium newspaper voicing the extremists’ opinions.

It is to be noted that in August 1914, Annie Besant started an English daily called the ‘Madras Standard’. Later this ‘Madras Standard’ was renamed to ‘New India’.

Opposition to Bengal Partition (1905-1907)

After the Partition of Bengal in 1905, Bipin Pal became the chief editor of a daily newspaper called “Bande Mataram”. He was strongly opposed to the partition, believing that it was a strategic move by the government to divide the Bengali people and weaken their growing political influence. To rally support for the anti-partition movement, Bipin Pal and other activists organized propaganda tours in various parts of Bengal, Assam, UP, and Madras.

Exile and Return (1908-1923)

In 1907, due to his refusal to testify against Aurobindo Ghosh in the Bande Mataram Sedition Case, he was imprisoned for six months.

Vallinayagam Olaganathan Chidambaram Pillai (VOC) along with other leaders, resolved to take out a mammoth procession on the morning of March 9, 1908, to celebrate the release of Bipin Chandra Pal from jail and to hoist the flag of Swaraj.

After his release, Pal went to England in 1908 for a period of three years. In 1919, he visited England for the third time as a member of the Home Rule League delegation led by Tilak.

Pal presided over the Bengal Provincial Conference held at Barisal in 1921. However, he did not participate in the Non-Cooperation Movement because it was merged with the Khilafat cause. Pal also criticized the Bengal Pact (1923) of Chitta Ranjan Das. He could not share the views of Maulana Mohammad Ali on the nature of the communal problem in India (1920-25). Finally, from 1925 onward, he retired from active politics.

Contributions in Literature

Bipin Chandra Pal utilized his profession of journalism to spread patriotic awareness. He published numerous journals, weeklies, and books to promote Swaraj. Some of his noteworthy books include “Nationality and Empire”, “Indian Nationalism”, “Swaraj and the Present Situation”, “The Soul of India”, “The Basis of Social Reform”, “The Hinduism”, and “The New Spirit”.

He also worked as the editor of “Democrat”, “Independent”, and several other journals. He initiated the publication of journals such as “Paridarsak”, “New India”, “Bande Mataram”, and “Swaraj”.

He served as an editorial staff member of the Bengal Public Opinion in Calcutta, as well as the editor of the Tribune in Lahore from 1887-88. He was also the founder editor of the English weekly “India” in 1901 and the English daily “Bande Mataram” in 1906, which was later banned by the government.

He regularly contributed to the Modern Review, the Amrita Bazaar Patrika, and the Statesman.

Aurobindo Ghosh referred to him as the

“mightiest prophet of nationalism”

He wrote his autobiography named ‘Memories of My Life and Times’.

Lal-Bal-Pal Triumvirate

In the years 1901 and 1902, Bipin Chandra Pal traveled to South India as a missionary for the Brahmo Samaj, during a period of increased social and political activity. With Lord Nathaniel Curzon becoming the Viceroy of India, discontent among Indians grew due to the high-handed actions of British bureaucracy. Pal expressed his concern through a letter to the British authorities, expressing dissatisfaction with the Indian National Congress’s perceived lack of understanding of India’s socio-economic situation.

A pivotal moment occurred in 1905 when the partition of Bengal was announced, which drastically altered Pal’s political orientation. His loyalty to the British Empire was shattered, and he embraced radical ideas, advocating Swaraj, boycott, and absolute freedom alongside Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Lala Lajpat Rai. This trio, known as Lal-Bal-Pal, vehemently opposed mendicancy and demanded National Education in protest against the Bengal Partition. In the pre-Swadeshi period, Pal ardently called for political freedom and total sovereign independence, marking a transformative chapter in his political journey.

Pal and his view on Social Reform

Pal was a well-known figure in the intellectual circle of Bengal due to his political activism and high sense of moral values. He was famous for his teachings on social morality, which were so highly regarded that Sir Ashutosh Mukherjee, also known as Bengal Tiger, hired Pal to train his son, Dr. Shyamaprasad Mukherjee. Pal’s genius was widely appreciated by the political leaders of his time.

Pal believed that social reform required a balanced integration of religion, philosophy, social ethics, and politics. He argued that political and social reforms were interdependent and should go hand in hand. He believed that those who claimed to be religious or social reformers but disliked or feared politics did not truly understand the meaning of social reformation. According to Pal, real reforms could only be achieved by dedicating oneself to the task of simultaneously reforming all these social wings. Any one-sided effort in this regard would not bear fruit.

Pal’s attempts to broaden the scope of the social reform movement were significant during a time when the reformers were often ostracized and humiliated, and social reforms were not considered mainstream politics.

Bipin Chandra Pal’s Vision for National Education in India

Bipin Chandra Pal recognized the power of education in developing the youth and civilization. He believed that the existing educational system was inadequate and called for major reforms, intending to introduce a National Education system that would replace it.

Pal identified two major issues in the current educational system. Firstly, it lacked a national orientation and secondly, it failed to prepare students for employment. Pal envisioned a National Education system that was directed along national lines and emphasized control by the nation’s legislatures.

Death of Bipin Chandra Pal

In the 1920s, Bipin Chandra Pal distanced himself from Congress and lived a solitary existence. He passed away on May 20, 1932.

Also read: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Previous Year Questions (PYQs) on Bipin Chandra Pal
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