It is an amazing day today in history of armed revolution in India. It was on the same day in 1897 Damodar and his younger brother Balkrishna killed two British officers Ayerst and Rand. Who were these guys and why the whole family sacrificed themselves on the altar of freedom.
The 3 Chapekar brothers Damodar, Balkrishna and Vasudev were from Chinchwad but settled in Pune. From childhood they were interested in martial qualities and intended to join the Army. But Damodar was rejected on the grounds of his caste and he took up profession of kirtan i.e bhajans and philosophical discourses. Taking inspiration from Vasudev Phadke and Tilak the discourses were structured to inspire people to fight against injustice. In this backdrop Pune was attacked by bubonic plague. People died in droves due to Black Death.
So the British government appointed Rand as officer in charge for controlling the menace. But the medicine was worse than the illness. In the name of containing plague, houses were ransacked, people were thrown outside Pune even on suspicion. British soldiers used this as an opportunity to loot and outrage the modesty of women. People were seething with anger and to make matters worse, the empire was celebrating diamond jubilee of Victoria’s coronation.
Chapekar brothers decided to avenge the injustice and what better occasion than the party for celebrating diamond jubilee in club near Ganeshkhind of Pune. As the coach carrying Rand was near, Balkrishna leaped from behind and fired shot in the head of the officer. But realized that he had killed Ayerst instead of Rand. As the original coach approached Damodar with the same agility fired on Rand. Ayerst died on spot and Rand a few days later. The empire was jolted and used all it’s resources to catch the revolutionaries.
On the basis of information by Dravid brothers they arrested Damodar and later Balkrishna. Dravid brothers were lured by money and government service. To teach them a lesson Vasudev Chapekar and his friend Ranade killed them near their house. All the four were sentenced to death by hanging. All the three brothers left behind their parents, young widows and infant children. Ranade was 18 and a bachelor.
Sister Nivedita came from Bengal to visit the family which sacrificed all their sons in freedom struggle. It is said that in an unbroken chain Vasudev Phadke inspired Chapekar brothers and they inspired Veer Savarkar who wrote a beautiful poem on them in his young days.
BHARAT MATA KI JAI !!!!
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The 3 Chapekar brothers Damodar, Balkrishna and Vasudev were from Chinchwad but settled in Pune. From childhood they were interested in martial qualities and intended to join the Army. But Damodar was rejected on the grounds of his caste and he took up profession of kirtan i.e bhajans and philosophical discourses. Taking inspiration from Vasudev Phadke and Tilak the discourses were structured to inspire people to fight against injustice. In this backdrop Pune was attacked by bubonic plague. People died in droves due to Black Death.
So the British government appointed Rand as officer in charge for controlling the menace. But the medicine was worse than the illness. In the name of containing plague, houses were ransacked, people were thrown outside Pune even on suspicion. British soldiers used this as an opportunity to loot and outrage the modesty of women. People were seething with anger and to make matters worse, the empire was celebrating diamond jubilee of Victoria’s coronation.
Chapekar brothers decided to avenge the injustice and what better occasion than the party for celebrating diamond jubilee in club near Ganeshkhind of Pune. As the coach carrying Rand was near, Balkrishna leaped from behind and fired shot in the head of the officer. But realized that he had killed Ayerst instead of Rand. As the original coach approached Damodar with the same agility fired on Rand. Ayerst died on spot and Rand a few days later. The empire was jolted and used all it’s resources to catch the revolutionaries.
On the basis of information by Dravid brothers they arrested Damodar and later Balkrishna. Dravid brothers were lured by money and government service. To teach them a lesson Vasudev Chapekar and his friend Ranade killed them near their house. All the four were sentenced to death by hanging. All the three brothers left behind their parents, young widows and infant children. Ranade was 18 and a bachelor.
Sister Nivedita came from Bengal to visit the family which sacrificed all their sons in freedom struggle. It is said that in an unbroken chain Vasudev Phadke inspired Chapekar brothers and they inspired Veer Savarkar who wrote a beautiful poem on them in his young days.
BHARAT MATA KI JAI !!!!
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