Vinayak Damodar Savarkar Biography
(Independence Activist, Reformer)
Birthday: May 28, 1883 (Gemini)
Born In: Bhagur
Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, also known as Veer Savarkar, was an Indian independence activist, lawyer, writer, and politician, best known for formulating the “Hindutva” philosophy. Born into a Hindu Brahmin family in Nashik, Maharashtra, India, Vinayak had always been a staunch supporter of the “Hindu nation” theory for India since his early years. At the age of 12, he was one of the rioters who demolished a village mosque in the Hindu–Muslim riots in the area. Following his high-school education, he enrolled at the ‘Fergusson College’ in Pune and began his political activities. He later moved to the United Kingdom to study law and founded the ‘Abhinav Bharat Society.’ He also joined the Indian independence struggle by working with groups such as the ‘Free India Society’ and ‘India House.’ In 1910, he was arrested in London for anti-establishment activities. He made an attempt to escape but was captured and sent to the notorious ‘Cellular Jail’ in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. He was later freed in exchange for his promises of renouncing his involvement in the Indian independence movement. He later served as the president of the ‘Hindu Mahasabha’ and fiercely protested against the partition of India in 1947. He was also considered one of the culprits behind the planning of the murder of Mahatma Gandhi, but the charges against him were removed due to lack of evidence.