Page 44 - NIS English 2021 November 1-15

आवरण
INDIA@75 AZADI KA AMRIT MAHOTSAV
कथा

Vasudev Balwant Phadke: Who made Ranjit Singh established a

the life difficult for the British powerful Sikh empire

Born: 4th November 1845, Died: 17th February 1883 Born: 13th November 1780, Died: 27th June 1839

ot many may have heard of Vasudev
Balwant Phadke, but he was a revolutionary her-e-Punjab or the Lion of Punjab, Ranjit
Nwho played a key role in the freedom Singh is one such great figure in Indian
struggle of the country. Distraught to see the Shistory who not only kept Punjab united as
pathetic condition of the farmers during the a strong province, but he also did not allow the
British rule, he was of the firm opinion that ‘Swaraj’ British to come close to his empire. Ranjit Singh
(self-rule) was the only panacea for all the ills. was born on November 13, 1780 in Gujranwala
Born on November 4, 1845 in Shirdhon village of which is now in Pakistan. Upon his birth, his
Raigad district of Maharashtra, parents named him Buddh
Phadke is believed to be the THE BRITISH THE CREDIT Singh. But when he was barely
first revolutionary warrior of HAD FOR THE 10 years old, he fought his first
India to organize an armed ANNOUNCED NEW LOOK major battle along with his
rebellion against the British A REWARD OF GOLDEN father.
government after the failure of 50,000 RUPEES TEMPLE GOES After the victory, his father
the First War of Independence TO CAPTURE TO RANJIT renamed him Ranjit. He
of 1857. He was a very brave PHADKE survived smallpox in infancy
and courageous person from SINGH but lost sight in his left eye.
childhood and loved to roam On losing one eye, he used to
in the forests. After completing his education, he say, 'God has given me one eye, therefore, I see
moved to Bombay (now Mumbai) and got a job in Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, rich and poor
the Military Accounts Department of Pune. But equally.' When Ranjit Singh was 12 years old, his
all along, he remained in constant touch with the father passed away. He then inherited his father's
freedom fighters. It is believed that nationalist Sukerchakia Misl estates and was raised by his
Mahadev Govind Ranade had a great influence mother Raj Kaur. By the age of 20, Ranjit Singh
on him. When he was working in the Military had established the Punjab Empire. On 12th
Accounts Department, Phadke got information
about his mother's illness but the British officials April 1801, Ranjit Singh became the Maharaja of
did not grant him leave. He went to his village Punjab. He fought many battles and also captured
without leave. By the time he reached, his mother parts of East Punjab and established a strong
had passed away. This incident had a deep effect and powerful Sikh Empire. At the same time,
on him and he turned against the British. He he converted the Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar
organized the tribal army and declared a rebellion to the Golden Temple by covering it with gold.
against the British in 1879. The same year he was He used to say this to his courtiers, 'I am a farmer
arrested and sent to Cellular Jail in Andaman. On and a soldier, I do not need any pretense. It is
February 17, 1883, this brave son of the country my sword that creates the difference in me that
breathed his last. I need.'
42 New India Samachar November 1-15, 2021