Sanjeev Sanyal’s Revolutionaries: The Other Story of How India Won Its Freedom delves into the often-overlooked narrative of India’s freedom struggle, focusing on the vital contributions of armed resistance. Unlike typical historical accounts that primarily highlight non-violent movements, this book reveals the essential roles played by revolutionaries such as Bagha Jatin, Sachindra Nath Sanyal, Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, Subhas Chandra Bose, Vinayak Savarkar, Aurobindo Ghosh, and Rashbehari Bose. By illustrating how these figures were part of a cohesive network that fought against British rule for over fifty years, Revolutionaries offers a fresh perspective on the fight for independence, emphasizing that their courageous actions were not just isolated incidents but part of a significant and organized struggle for freedom.
Revolutionaries highlights how these freedom fighters operated not only within India but also internationally, building networks in countries like Britain, France, Thailand, Germany, Persia, Russia, Italy, Ireland, the United States, Japan and Singapore and more. They even received support and recognition from foreign governments at times. The book emphasizes that this was no small-scale movement but a coordinated effort involving countless young men and women who shared a vision of an independent India.
The book also reveals how revolutionaries influenced the Indian National Congress and enjoyed significant support within the organization, showing their impact on the overall freedom movement. Through stories of espionage, bravery, betrayal, and twists of fate, Revolutionaries offers a gripping and detailed account of these often-overlooked heroes.
Reading Revolutionaries is an emotional experience it brings to light the sacrifices and struggles of those who gave everything for India’s freedom. It is not just history; it is a story of pain, courage, and the need to revisit forgotten narratives. As the book explains, understanding these perspectives is essential for Indians to build their future on a foundation of corrected, Un British history.
Availability & Details of Book
Revolutionaries: The Other Story of How India Won Its Freedom by Sanjeev Sanyal is published by HarperCollins India and was released on January 10, 2023. The book is available in English and consists of 418 pages. You can purchase the Kindle edition for ₹206, the paperback for ₹317, and the hardcover for ₹389. Additionally, the audiobook version is available for free. You can buy it from major online retailers like Amazon, Goodreads, Flipkart, and the publisher’s website. This insightful book reveals the untold stories of India’s brave freedom fighters and their sacrifices for independence.
Author of Revolutionaries: Sanjeev Sanyal
Sanjeev Sanyal is an influential Indian economist, author, and urban theorist, currently serving as the Principal Economic Adviser to the Government of India. He completed his undergraduate studies in Economics at St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University, and earned a master’s degree in economics from St. John’s College, Oxford University. Sanyal has a distinguished career in international finance, having spent over two decades at Deutsche Bank, where he held the position of Global Strategist and Managing Director. He is also a prolific author, known for his bestselling books that explore India’s history, geography, and economics, including Land of the Seven Rivers, The Ocean of Churn, and Revolutionaries: The Other Story of How India Won Its Freedom. His work has garnered significant recognition, earning him the title of “Young Global Leader” by the World Economic Forum in 2010. Through his writings and public service, Sanyal continues to shape economic policy and provide new insights into India’s historical narrative.
Themes in Revolutionaries
- The Overlooked Legacy of Armed Freedom Fighters: Revolutionaries sheds light on the contributions of freedom fighters who chose armed resistance over non-violence. Leaders like Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, Rash Behari Bose, and Subhas Chandra Bose played key roles in India’s independence. The book emphasizes that their sacrifices were as important as the non-violent movement but have been unfairly sidelined in mainstream history. The bravery and sacrifices of these revolutionaries deserve greater recognition.
- The Global Network of Revolutionaries: This book uncovers the widespread connections of Indian Revolutionaries beyond India. Freedom fighters established networks in countries like Britain, Germany, Japan, the USA, and even Russia to gain support for their cause. The global effort by these revolutionaries shows that the fight for independence was not limited to Indian soil but was a part of a larger, international movement.
- Clash of Ideologies: Revolutionaries explores the ideological differences between armed resistance and Gandhi’s non-violent movement. The book narrates instances like the heated disagreements between Savarkar and Gandhi or Sanyal’s criticism of non-violence in “Young India.” These clashes reflect the complexity of India’s freedom struggle and how revolutionaries viewed their own path as necessary alongside non-violence.
- The Revolutionary Movement Was Organized and Strategic: Contrary to the belief that the armed struggle was chaotic or sporadic, the book reveals that revolutionaries operated with careful planning and strategy. It delves into how their movements were interconnected across regions, from Bengal to Punjab to Maharashtra, forming a network that lasted for decades.
- Unjust Treatment of Revolutionaries Post-Independence: The book heartbreakingly recounts how many revolutionaries were forgotten or treated poorly after India gained independence. While leaders of the non-violent movement were celebrated, the armed freedom fighters were often neglected. For example, members of the Indian National Army (INA) were not reinstated into the armed forces of independent India, and many revolutionaries lived in poverty and obscurity.
- The Influence of International Events: The book highlights how international events shaped the revolutionary struggle. For instance, it talks about Subhas Chandra Bose’s daring escape and his global efforts to garner support. It also explains how revolutions in other countries inspired Indian revolutionaries and influenced their strategies.
- Forgotten Stories of Sacrifice: Revolutionaries brings to light stories of lesser-known freedom fighters like Sachindra Nath Sanyal and Rash Behari Bose, whose contributions have often been overshadowed. These stories show the immense sacrifices made by individuals who dedicated their lives to the cause of independence. The book also touches upon the heartbreaking reality that many of these heroes did not live to see a free India.
- A Call to Rediscover History: The book argues for a deeper and more balanced understanding of India’s freedom struggle. It challenges the dominance of the narrative that independence was achieved only through non-violence and insists on including the contributions of revolutionaries in school curricula and public memory.
- The Human Side of Revolutionaries: Beyond their heroics, the book portrays revolutionaries as real people with emotions, struggles, and flaws. It discusses their motivations, personal sacrifices, and the relationships they shared with one another. These humanizing details make their stories even more powerful and relatable.
- Revolutionaries and Their Legacy: Revolutionaries stresses how these freedom fighters have left a lasting impact on India’s history, even if they have not received due recognition. Their determination, courage, and love for the country continue to inspire new generations. The book reminds readers that the freedom we enjoy today came at a great cost, and it is our responsibility to honour and remember the contributions of these revolutionaries.
- Comprehensive Narrative of the Revolutionary Movement: The book Revolutionaries provides a detailed account of the revolutionary aspect of India’s freedom struggle. It emphasizes that the movement was not just a series of isolated incidents but a well-organized network of resistance involving numerous young men and women across generations. This perspective challenges the mainstream view that primarily credits the Congress Party for India’s independence.
- Challenging Mainstream Narratives: The book challenges the mainstream narrative that India’s freedom was solely achieved through non-violent struggle led by the Congress Party. It brings attention to the contributions of revolutionaries and events like the naval mutiny of 1946, which played a significant role in convincing the British that they could no longer rule India. These aspects are often overlooked in traditional history books.
- Personal Reflections and Critiques: The book includes personal reflections and critiques from revolutionaries themselves. For instance, it mentions an open letter written by Sachindra Nath Sanyal to Gandhi, criticizing his non-violent approach to freedom struggles. Such inclusions provide insight into the ideological differences and debates within the independence movement.
Revolutionaries: The Other Story of How India Won Its Freedom is a comprehensive, well-researched, and engaging account of India’s armed struggle against British colonial rule. It offers a nuanced perspective that complements the traditional narratives of the non-violent movement, providing readers with a more complete understanding of India’s fight for independence.
Reviews of Revolutionaries
“This landmark work by Sanjeev Sanyal is an important milestone in both revisiting and course-correcting the history of our freedom movement. Well-researched yet accessible, this thrilling book by Sanyal is a must-read for every Indian who wants to know the real truth behind our country’s attainment of freedom and the heroes who contributed to this—many times with their own lives.”
— Vikram Sampath, historian, author, and fellow at the Royal Historical Society
“There was another stream of our struggle for Independence: the revolutionary movement. This stream has been ignored completely in our official narrative. Sanjeev Sanyal’s Revolutionaries is a superbly researched account of how our great ancestors sacrificed their all so that we may breathe free.”
— Amish Tripathi, India’s highest-selling author and television documentary host
“It is said that until the lions have their historians, tales of the hunt shall always glorify the hunter. Thankfully, India’s lions have Sanjeev Sanyal. Painstakingly researched and compellingly told, this book is a valiant effort at reviving the forgotten—and oft-suppressed—narrative of the struggle for India’s Independence.”
— Ashwin Sanghi, bestselling author
Why we read and buy Revolutionaries
Revolutionaries: The Other Story of How India Won Its Freedom by Sanjeev Sanyal is an essential read for anyone interested in Indian history. This book reveals the untold stories of the armed freedom fighters whose contributions have been overlooked in mainstream narratives. Sanyal’s well-researched narrative brings to light the sacrifices of these brave individuals, making it clear that their efforts were crucial to India’s independence. By reading this book, you will gain a deeper understanding of the complex and interconnected events that shaped India’s fight for freedom.
The engaging writing style of Revolutionaries makes history accessible to all readers, including students. Sanyal presents a balanced view that challenges the conventional focus on non-violent movements, emphasizing the importance of armed resistance. This book not only fills gaps left by traditional history books but also honours the memory of the revolutionaries who fought valiantly for India’s freedom. This is a must-read for anyone interested in Indian history and students, particularly those looking to explore the unsung heroes of the independence movement.
Final Thoughts
Revolutionaries by Sanjeev Sanyal is a powerful exploration of the often-ignored aspects of India’s independence struggle. The book highlights the bravery and sacrifices of revolutionaries who fought for freedom through armed resistance, showing that their efforts were just as significant as the non-violent movements. Reading this book allows us to appreciate the full story of India’s past and recognize the contributions of those who have been overlooked.
As Sanyal writes, “What logic, we ask, is there in asking the country to traverse a non-violent path when the world atmosphere is surcharged with violence and exploitation of the weak?” This quote emphasizes the complexity of the fight for freedom and the need to understand all perspectives in history. This book invites readers to rethink their understanding of India’s struggle for independence and to honour the legacy of those who bravely fought for the nation. I highly recommend Revolutionaries for anyone seeking to discover the powerful and overlooked narratives of India’s courageous freedom fighters.
