PERSONAL INFORMATION
Profession(s): • Lawyer • Journalist • Freedom Fighter
Famous for: Being the founder of the Indian Home Rule Society, India House, and The Indian Sociologist organisations in London during India’s struggle for freedom
Date of Birth: 4 October 1857 (Sunday)
Birthplace: Mandvi, Cutch State, British India (now Kutch, Gujarat)
Age (at the time of death): 72 Years
Zodiac sign: Libra
Nationality: British Indian
Hometown: Mandvi, Cutch State, British India (now Kutch, Gujarat)
Marriage Year: 1875
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EDUCATION
School: Wilson High School in Mumbai
College/University: Balliol College, Oxford, England
Educational Qualification(s): • School education at Wilson High School in Mumbai • Graduation at Balliol College, Oxford, England [2] Kranti Teerth
PHYSICAL STATISTICS
Eye Colour: Black
Hair Colour: Black
FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS
Marital Status (at the time of death): Married
Wife: Bhanumati Krishna Varma
Parents: Father – Krushnadas Bhanushali (Labourer in cotton press company) Mother – Gomatibai
OTHER INFORMATION
Date of Death: 30 March 1930
Place of Death: A local hospital in Geneva
Death Cause: Prolonged Illness [1] The Indian Express
Death Date: 30/03/1930
INTERESTING BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Shyamji Krishna Varma emerged as a pivotal figure in India’s struggle for independence, seamlessly integrating his roles as a revolutionary freedom fighter, lawyer, and journalist. He established three influential organizations: the Indian Home Rule Society, India House, and The Indian Sociologist, all aimed at fostering a spirit of freedom and reform among Indians. Varma’s journey into the sphere of nationalism began significantly in 1875 when he connected with Swami Dayananda Saraswati, the founder of Arya Samaj. Inspired by the Vedic philosopher’s ideas, Varma became an advocate for Vedic Indian culture, gaining public recognition for his speeches and lessons. This recognition led to the priests of Kashi conferring the honorific title of ‘Pandit’ upon him in 1877, marking the start of his influential public life.
In 1879, Varma’s academic journey took him to England, where he assumed the role of an assistant professor of Sanskrit at Oxford University under Monier Williams. His travels soon extended to Berlin in 1881, where he represented Indian culture at the Berlin Congress of Orientalists, delivering a speech that emphasized “Sanskrit as a Living Language of India.” This pivotal moment further fueled his resolve to liberate India from British rule. Following his graduation in 1883, Varma garnered acclaim with a lecture at the Royal Asiatic Society, leading to his selection as a non-resident member of this prestigious institution. His return to India in 1885 marked a new chapter, where he practiced law and briefly served as the chief minister of Ratlam State. However, due to health issues, he retired early, opting to invest his gratuity in cotton press companies and later becoming a council member in Junagadh State.
As his disenchantment with British colonial rule deepened, Varma became increasingly involved in anti-colonial activities. His alignment with the ideologies espoused by Swami Dayananda Saraswati, particularly those articulated in “Satyarth Prakash,” propelled him to engage in protests against British policies, including the contentious Consent of Age Bill in 1890. In a significant act of solidarity in 1897, he supported the Chapekar brothers, who assassinated the British Plague Commissioner in Pune for enforcing draconian measures during a public health crisis. This experience further entrenched his commitment to the freedom struggle, prompting him to return to England that same year, where he continued to study and promote revolutionary ideas.
Varma’s residence in England became a hub for Indian revolutionaries, especially after he established India House in 1905, which served as a shelter for Indian students facing racism. The hostel, inaugurated by prominent figures such as Henry Hyndman and Lala Lajpat Rai, became synonymous with Indian emancipation efforts. However, his vocal opposition to British rule attracted the ire of the British government, leading to his eventual debarment from the Inner Temple and a crackdown on his writings. Despite these challenges, Varma continued to advocate for Indian independence, even planning a lecture for the League of Nations in 1918 aimed at discussing national self-determination and justice.
Sadly, health issues forced Varma to curtail his writing in 1922, and he passed away on March 30, 1930, in Geneva. The British government attempted to suppress news of his death, yet it resonated with Indian revolutionaries, including those imprisoned in Lahore. His legacy endures, commemorated through various tributes, including a postal stamp issued by the Indian government in 1989 and the establishment of educational institutions named in his honor. The Kranti Teerth memorial in Mandvi, Gujarat, inaugurated in 2010, stands as a testament to his contributions, housing replicas of India House along with galleries showcasing his writings and the urns of his ashes. Shyamji Krishna Varma’s life and work continue to inspire the quest for justice and freedom in India.
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Note: All biographical information compiled from publicly available sources.
