One of the important characters in Veer Savarkar’s life was Madan Lal Dhingra, a hero who actually deserves a biopic of his own.
Hailing from Amritsar, the sixth born of the city’s Civil Surgeon, two of his brothers were doctors, while two others were barristers. Coming from a well-to-do and influential family, Dhingra could have settled into a life of luxury and comfort. Yet he was restless, driven by the call for Swadeshi, right from his student days at the Government College, Lahore in 1904. He led the student protest there against having to forcibly wear a blazer made of imported cloth, which led to his expulsion in turn.
Having extensively studied about poverty and famines in India, he felt that only Swaraj (Self-government) was the solution. For some time, he worked as a clerk at a Tanga service in Kalka, Shimla, where his attempts to organize a union came to naught.
It was then on the advice of his brother, he went to London, to study the Diploma Course in Civil Engineering at University College between 1906-09. A very illustrious institution of learning where Dadabhai Naoroji taught and Tagore was a student.
Like most other Indian students in England, he was a regular to the India House founded by Shyamji Krishna Verma. His initial days were spent in frolic and fun, and his good looks ensured, he was in the company of women mostly.
The turning point came, at a meeting in India House that was addressed by Savarkar. Dhingra along with his friends, was making a noise in the adjacent room, which forced Savarkar to intervene.
“What is the matter? You only talk of action and bravery, and avoid coming to our weekly meetings. Is this your bravery?”
The rebuke by Savarkar had its desired effect, and for quite some time Dhingra was not seen around India House.
Too ashamed to show his face, and fearful of facing Savarkar’s wrath, he kept away. Until one day, summoning all the courage, he came face to face with Savarkar again at India House.
Savarkar however had moved on from the past incident and spoke normally with Dhingra. A much assured Dhingra asked him, “Has the time for sacrifice come?”
And then Savarkar gave one of the best replies ever. “If you have made up your mind and are ready, it is generally understood that the time for sacrifice has come.”
This would guide Dhingra’s course of action. Having made up his mind, Dhingra now joined the National Indian Association, founded by Surendranath Banerjee and Ananda Mohan Bose in 1876. The Association was primarily a gathering of moderate Indian nationalists, who believed in peaceful negotiation with the British. Dhingra acted as a double agent of sorts, publicly denouncing Savarkar in front of the British, to win their favor. He soon won the trust of Ms.Emma Josephine Beck, the secretary of the Association, and got to know the timings of visits of important officials. He had a fake “falling out” with Savarkar to convince the British officials, and also left India House. Staying for some time at Ledbury Road, in 1909, he began to plot the assassination of one of the most important British officials, Lord Curzon Wylie. Dhingra had earlier attempted to assassinate Lord Curzon, the British viceroy universally hated for his Partition of Bengal. However, Curzon escaped twice, thanks to late arrival at the venue.
It was then that Dhingra decided to target Curzon Wylie, and not just because of the name. Wylie was one of the top-ranking officers in the British Government. Serving the British Army in 1866, Wylie entered the Political Department in 1879.
He had earned a distinction for his role in the 1879 Afghan War, and later in Avadh, Nepal, and above all in Rajputana. He was appointed the Political Aide-De-Camp to the Secretary of State for India, but above all, he was regarded as the “eyes and ears of the government”. Wylie headed the Secret Police, a fact not known to anyone, except those in the upper echelons of the British Government. He, in turn, was keeping an eye on Savarkar and other revolutionaries at the Indian House.
He even appointed an informer, Kirtikar at the Indian House, to get information. Kirtikar was however found out by Savarkar who gave him all the information about the police operations under force. On the home front, things were not going too well. Savarkar’s elder brother Babarao, was arrested and sentenced for life to the dreaded Cellular Jail in the Andamans. His home was confiscated, and Babarao’s wife Yesu died a destitute, homeless on the streets. The other factor was Savarkar being denied access to the Bar after he completed his studies in 1906. Savarkar was charged with encouraging sedition by circulating pamphlets, advocating armed revolution, and assassination. Given time till 22 May, the trial was conducted on 26 May 1909, on camera.
New charges were pressed, the letters by Savarkar were examined, and he was disallowed. The deportation of Babarao to Cellular Jail and Savarkar’s trial enraged the revolutionaries further. Dhingra knew Wylie personally, having met him earlier on 13 April 1909 based on a recommendation from his brother Kundan Lal. Dhingra wanted to discuss the letter, but in reality, he aimed to get closer to Wylie and win his confidence. The moment came when a meeting of the Association was to be organized on 1 July 1909 that would be attended by a large number of Indians and Englishmen, in honor of Lady Lyall, the wife of Sir Alfred Lyall. Dhingra met Savarkar on 29 June 1909 at Bipin Chandra Pal’s home in London and discussed the plans for the assassination with him. Savarkar asked Niranjan Pal to type out the statement, Dhingra would make after the assassination and then gave him a Belgian make Browning pistol.
“Do not show me your face again if you fail this time,” said Savarkar to an emotionally overwhelmed Dhingra, as he took his leave. Accompanied by another revolutionary Koregaonkar, he had an early lunch and tea, left at 2 PM, cradling the revolver in his hands. He also bought a brand new dagger in a leather casket, placing it in his pocket. It was evening 7 PM, when the function started, Dhingra was dressed in a lounge suit and blue Punjab turban. He placed a Colt revolver in the right pocket of his coat, and the Browning gifted by Savarkar in another. He took a cab and arrived at the Institute, where Koregaonkar came also, with his pistol. When the time came for Wylie to leave, Dhingra approached him on the pretext of talking something. Just at the landing, coming closer to Wylie, Dhingra pulled out his Colt and fired two bullets point blank. As Wylie reeled, Dhingra fired two more bullets, and a Parsi doctor, Cawas Lalkaka, who tried to save Wylie was also shot. However, Dhingra’s plan to commit suicide failed, as he was overpowered by the security guards around. He managed to even bring down one of the guards but was ultimately subdued, and arrested. He was taken to the Walton Street Police Station, where the Police Officer asked him if any of his friends knew about this. To which Dhingra calmly replied, “There is no need, they will know about my arrest tomorrow in the newspapers.”
It was a smart strategy, which ensured none of his friends would be implicated. Post the assassination of Wylie, Dhingra, was vilified, repeatedly in the British media. An ex-army officer at Broadhurst Gardens, Capt Charles Rolleston, even made allegations that Dhingra assassinated Wylie under the influence of “Bhang”.
The psychiatrists who examined him, his landlady however testified that Dhingra seemed absolutely normal, and gave no indication of the act he would commit. During the interrogation, Dhingra expressed deep regret for the shooting of Dr.Lalkaka, saying he had no reason to shoot him, and it happened as he came in between.
Dhingra was produced before Mr. Horace Smith, the Magistrate of Westminister Police Court, and he told him clearly, ” I do not plead for mercy: nor do I recognize your authority over me…” On being sent to the Sessions Court, Dhingra asked in a trial, in which Indians were not allowed. “I do not want to say anything in defence of myself, but simply to prove the justice of my deed. As for myself, no English law court has got any authority to arrest and detain me in prison or pass a sentence of death on me. That is the reason I did not have any counsel to defend me. I hold the English people responsible for the murder of eighty millions of Indian people in the last fifty years, and they are also responsible for taking away ₤100,000,000 every year from India to this country.
I am surprised at the terrible hypocrisy, the farce, and the mockery of the English people. They pose as the champions of oppressed humanity—the peoples of the Congo and the people of Russia—when there is terrible oppression and horrible atrocities committed in India.
I have told you over and over again that I do not acknowledge the authority of the Court, You can do whatever you like. I do not mind at all. You can pass sentence of death on me.
I do not care. You white people are all-powerful now, but, remember, it shall have our turn in the time to come when we can do what we like.”
-Madan Lal Dhingra during his trial.
Though Dhingra willed that all his belongings, clothes, and books be sold and the money, be given to the National Fund, it was not followed by the London Police. The police said that since Dhingra made no official will, his belongings were the property of the British Government.
Sadly Dhingra was disowned by his own family. His brother Bhajan Lal, who was in London, condemned him publicly in a meeting. His father publicly apologized and disowned his son.
All his family members dropped Dhingra from their surname and adopted Lal, to avoid trouble with the British. The only person who actually stood by Madan Lal Dhingra was Savarkar, who visited him in prison. He was emotionally overwhelmed when Savarkar told him, “I have come here to seek your darshan”.
For someone disowned by his family, it meant a lot that somebody out there still cared for him. The Indian Association held a public meeting on 5 July 1909 to condemn Dhingra’s assassination of Wylie. The meeting was chaired by Aga Khan, and as he was prepared to pass the resolution, one hand raised in protest.
It was Savarkar who said, “No, not unanimously. There are opponents of the motion as well. Take down my name, Savarkar. I oppose the motion.”
The meeting went into a commotion, after Savarkar’s lone defiance and he was assaulted by other members. Surendranath Banerjee was outraged at the assault and left the meeting in anger. The police had to rush in and prevent the situation from going out of control.
That very night Savarkar wrote a letter to the Times, saying that since the matter of Dhingra was “subjudice”, no one had the right to discuss the case in public and using terms like criminal.
Predictably most Congress leaders like Gokhale and NC Kelkar condemned Dhingra’s act. Some like Hyndman, said that though Dhingra’s act was not acceptable, the allegations he raised against the British Govt, could not be swept away.
The media now turned their focus on Savarkar, claiming him to be the mastermind of the entire act. His relatives and colleagues in India were persecuted by the Govt, and students going to London for studies had to produce certificates from the local government.
Dhingra meanwhile had some other admirers like W.T.Stead, editor of Reviews, an admirer of Savarkar, and believed in India’s freedom. Stead himself was arrested and put in prison for three months.
Savarkar wanted that Dhingra’s ashes to be sent to various parts of India. On the other hand, members of the Secretary’s Morley Council favored life imprisonment, as they felt execution would rather make him a martyr and ignite the volatile atmosphere even more.
“No Christian martyr ever faced his judges more fearlessly or with greater dignity…if India could produce five hundred men, as resolutely without fear, she would achieve her freedom.” – Wilfrid Blunt on Madan Lal Dhingra.
The Irish supported Dhingra with leaflets titled “Ireland Honors Dhingra” pasted all across the country.
17 August 1909, Pentonville Prison.
Finally, the date had come, and many of Dhingra’s friends requested to meet him for one last time. JS Master, requested the Under Sheriff of London and Home Office, stating he was Dhingra’s close friend and needed to meet him.
Dhingra however remained calm and composed, slept well on his last night, and after performing his chores, was ready for the hanging. As the clock struck nine, he walked to the gallows.
When a Christian preacher Hudson, walked up to him, for the last prayer, Dhingra turned him down, saying he was born as a Hindu and would die as one. Metcalfe, the Dy. Under Sheriff of London, read out the death warrant to Dhingra, and asked him the usual questions.
He just ignored and walked calmly to the noose, to Officer Pierpoint who was waiting for him there. The noose was put around his neck, and the levers pulled, the life of a brave revolutionary was snuffed out.
JS Master who attended Dhingra’s post-mortem, requested that he be taken the body for funeral rites. Dhingra wanted to be cremated as per Hindu custom, but his request was turned down.
As desired by Gyan Chand Verma, Dhingra’s last statement was published on a postcard by Sardar Singh Rana in Paris, along with his photograph. The statement was underlined by Vande Mataram.
The copies of this statement were sent by Rana to Savarkar in London, who in turn sent a large number of them to India. Though banned, nevertheless the last statement titled “Challenge” became popular with the public.
“I admit the other day; I attempted to shed English blood as a humble revenge for the inhuman hangings and deportations of patriotic Indian youths. In this attempt, I have consulted none but my own conscience; I have conspired with none, but my own duty.
I believe that a nation held down in bondage with the help of foreign bayonets is in a perpetual state of war. Since open battle is rendered impossible to a disarmed race, I attacked by surprise; since guns were denied to me, I drew forth my pistol and fired.
The only lesson required in India at present is to learn how to die and the only way to teach it is by dying ourselves. Therefore I die and glory in my martyrdom! This war of Independence will continue between India and England.
My only prayer to God is: May I be reborn of the same Mother and may I redie in the same sacred cause, till the cause is successful and she stands free for the good of humanity and the glory of God.
-Madan Lal Dhingra’s statement called “Challenge”.
Gandhi predictably condemned Dhingra’s action, calling him and other revolutionaries “anarchists” saying “Is killing honourable? Is the dagger of an assassin a fit precursor of an honourable death?”.
“Dhingra, the immortal, has behaved at each stage of the trial like a hero of ancient times. England thinks she has killed Dhingra; in reality, he lives forever and has given the death blow to English Sovereignty in India.” – Lala Hardayal in Vande Mataram in 1909.
Finally on 12 December 1976, in the presence of Natwar Singh, the then High Commissioner of India, Madan Lal Dhingra’s coffin was exhumed, and his mortal remains were brought back to India. Sadly his family or descendants still refuse to accept him. Madan Lal Dhingra, a forgotten hero, was disowned by his own family and even his descendants later on. A truly selfless patriot. This man deserves a full-fledged biopic on him, what a life he lived.
(This was originally published on social media platform X and has been republished here with permission.)
Ratnakar Sadasyalu is a blogger with a passion in movies, music, books, and history. A techie by profession, and a writer at heart. Author of City of Victory a book on Vijayanagar Empire.
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