Contrary to popular perception, Raja Mahendra Pratap, who played an important role in the formation of a Provisional Government of India in exile at Kabul in 1915, and tried to raise an army with other revolutionaries, was an admirer and ally of Mahatma Gandhi, a proponent of non-violence
By Saquib Salim
I beg you to adopt our programme. It is the natural growth of your own ancient culture. It is the fulfillment of Mahatma Gandhi’s great scheme of life. I say, realise yourself as Aryan, Arya, which was once the source of all common culture on this earth. From Iran to Assam, including Afghanistan and Nepal, let us have a sense of common unity. Then, fraternize with the rest of Asia.”
— Raja Mahendra Pratap, as quoted in the edition of World Federation, July-August 1935.
Contrary to popular perception, Raja Mahendra Pratap, who played an important role in the formation of a Provisional Government of India in exile at Kabul in 1915, and tried to raise an army with other revolutionaries, was an admirer and ally of Mahatma Gandhi, a proponent of non-violence. Their relationship of mutual admiration can be traced back to the pre-World War I era when Gandhi was known as Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi in South Africa.
Raja notes in his memoirs, “In 1912, I offered my services to Mr Gokhle to go to South Africa and help Mahatma Gandhi in his campaign by getting myself arrested. I had heard about Mr Gandhi from Mr Polak who came earlier to collect some fund. Mr Gokhle told me that he did not know that there were also such men in north India. He, however, advised me not to go to South Africa. He kindly accepted my offering of one thousand rupees.”
In fact, when Raja was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1932, his citation read, “In 1913, he took part in Gandhi’s campaign in South Africa.”
This was not a one-sided love affair. Gandhi also held Raja in high esteem. In 1929, Gandhi wrote, “Raja Mahendra Pratap is a great patriot. For the sake of the country this nobleman has chosen exile as his lot. He has given up his splendid property in Vrindavan for educational purposes. Prem Mahavidyalaya, now conducted by Acharya Jugalkishore, is his creation. The Rajasaheb has often corresponded with me.”
The same year, in November, Gandhi went to Prem Mahavidyalaya (the educational institution set up by Raja) to unveil his portrait. He paid rich tribute to his sacrifice and patriotism at the ceremony while addressing the students.
Records show that Gandhi and Raja were always in contact through letters. They discussed the methods for the anti-colonial struggle. At times they agreed, while sometimes there were disagreements.
In 1925, Gandhi wrote to Raja, “I continue to hear from you from time to time. I know that we differ in our outlook upon life. I know there are as many minds as there are men. But as cold and heat cannot co-exist in the same place at the same time, and in the same circumstances, so can violence not coexist with non-violence at the same time and place, and in the same circumstances.”
Raja too had his reservations with Gandhian methods. In a letter to Gandhi, published in Young India (published by Gandhi), Raja wrote, “Many people in India today deliver some very fine sermons on the beauties of ahimsa (non-violence); however, they do little to destroy the himsa (violence) of the British. I say all such persons are abettors and aids to all that crime which the British commit in India against the weak, the hungry, and the helpless…
Of course, no one can deny that our great leader, Gandhiji, has a very sincere desire to serve the Indian nation. However, I am afraid, that his methods alone, unsupported by some more energetic active programme, cannot bring relief to the people…
I highly appreciate and strongly endorse the khadi movement of Gandhiji… I must, however, add that we need much more. We have to destroy, in the true spirit of ahimsa, all the British organisations, which is himsa, personified…
“Let the nation as a whole strive to that end. At the earliest possible moment, let us put an end to the British brutality in India, in fact, in the whole world. Let everyone perform his duty according to his natural endowments… I can only say, let every one try his or her best to destroy all himsa. This is ahimsa.”
“Despite these differences in methods, both the leaders had great respect for each other. Raja, during World War II, in 1939, told a Japanese audience, “God wants me to thus act. And, now, if the news is correct, our Mahatma Gandhi, after the painful silence of over one year, has stirred up. They say, he has started the campaign of civil disobedience… This is the time to act. Let us act concertedly, from Japan to Turkey, in cooperation (with) Germany and Italy, and with (the) silent consent of USSR. Working thus, the historic state of Iran, which had historic relations with ancient China and Afghanistan, which was once the centre of Buddhism, and which is today equally devoted to Islam, will cooperate with us. Nepal will surely work with us when Nepal is assured of our good intentions. All our troubles come due to wrong and long British propaganda. You start cleaning up the Far East of all the British influence. Occupy Hong Kong and Singapore. And phone or send a radio message to Iran, Afghanistan and Nepal to move from their sides against the British in India. From inside our Congress, under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, we will disrupt the British administration. But, I say, we should not wait for any body, now, when brave and brainy Germans are hammering the head of the British empire in London, now, when the youths of ancient Italy, modern Italy, are cutting open the arteries of the British empire in the Mediterranean, we cannot wait, we must go forward carrying everything before us, as a flood rushing down a valley does.”
One can admire that Raja was explaining the future plan of Subhas Chandra Bose-led Azad Hind Fauj, with the help of Japan. Iqbal Shedai and Ajit Singh led the Indian Legion in collaboration with Italy. The Quit India movement was led by Mahatma Gandhi in June, 1939.
Raja reportedly told a public meeting in Japan at the conclusion of the war, “I had no doubt that the experiment of India was as great, if not greater, as the revolutions of China and Russia. India also expects to bring about a world revolution. It is indeed a revolution of human feelings. Mahatma Gandhi is out to revolutionize the human heart!”
With the defeat of Japan in 1945, Raja was arrested as a prisoner of war. When Gandhi came to know of this, he located him and urged the British empire to release him.
In a letter dated January 12, 1946, Gandhi wrote to Raja, “I would like to know from you whether you are allowed to receive visitors. Goswami has enquired about you to find out your whereabouts and suddenly within two days of this enquiry I got your letter. Are you permitted to tell me whether you are to be tried, or how long you are to be detained? From your letter I gather that you are keeping well and are being well-treated. Are you kept in company with others, or are you by yourself? Your friends and advisers would certainly like to know all about you.”