Saffron Swords (Centuries of Indic Resistance to Invaders)

1. India's forgotten heroes: Unsung warriors who resisted foreign invasions

"Like thousands of other warriors who don't find a place in our historical records, she remains unsung."

Untold stories of bravery. India's history is replete with instances of extraordinary courage and sacrifice by warriors who fought against foreign invaders. From Rampyari Gurjar, who led 40,000 women against Timur's forces, to Kanhoji Angre, the undefeated Maratha naval commander, these heroes demonstrated exceptional valor in defending their homeland.

Diverse resistance across regions. The book highlights resistance movements from various parts of India:

• Northeast: Tirot Sing's guerrilla tactics against the British in Meghalaya
• South: Veerapandiya Kattabomman's defiance in Tamil Nadu
• West: Rani Karnavati's fierce defense of Garhwal
• North: Banda Singh Bahadur's victories against Mughals in Punjab

Impact on invaders. These warriors often inflicted significant defeats on seemingly superior forces:

• Rani Chennamma of Keladi forced Mughals to seek a peace treaty
• Prithu of Assam routed Bakhtiyar Khilji's army in 1206
• Hemchandra Vikramaditya briefly became the last Hindu ruler of Delhi after defeating Akbar's forces

2. Women warriors: Fierce female fighters in India's struggle for freedom

"She fought like Goddess Kali."

Breaking stereotypes. Contrary to popular belief, Indian history boasts numerous examples of women who took up arms to defend their land and people. These women warriors displayed exceptional courage, often leading armies and participating directly in combat.

Notable female freedom fighters:

• Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi: Led her forces against the British, fighting with her young son tied to her back
• Kuyili: Became India's first human bomb against the British
• Rani Velu Nacchiyar: Trained and led a women's army against the British
• Uda Devi: Skilled sniper who killed 32 British soldiers in the 1857 revolt
• Jhalkaribai: Rani Lakshmi Bai's lookalike who sacrificed herself to allow the queen's escape

Lasting impact. These women not only contributed to military victories but also inspired future generations of freedom fighters. Their stories challenge traditional gender roles and highlight the inclusive nature of India's resistance against foreign rule.

3. Guerrilla warfare: Tactical brilliance of Indian freedom fighters

"The guerrilla warfare involved involvement of a small group of combatants in ambushes, hit-and-run tactics, sabotage, raids, etc. using arms."

Adapting to asymmetric warfare. Faced with technologically superior enemies, Indian warriors often resorted to guerrilla tactics to level the playing field. This approach allowed them to inflict significant damage on invading forces while minimizing their own losses.

Key guerrilla tactics employed:

• Ambushes in difficult terrain
• Hit-and-run raids on enemy camps
• Sabotage of supply lines
• Use of local knowledge to outmaneuver enemies
• Surprise attacks and quick retreats

Successful practitioners:

• Tirot Sing in Meghalaya against the British
• Rana Pratap in Mewar against the Mughals
• Shivaji's Maratha forces against various enemies
• Matmur Jamoh and Adi warriors in Arunachal Pradesh

These tactics not only helped in military victories but also demoralized enemy forces and prolonged resistance movements, making occupation and control difficult for invaders.

4. Religious tolerance: Hindu rulers' compassion towards defeated enemies

"Following the rules of Dharma, the Mewar Rana did not kill the Tughlaq Sultan."

Dharmic principles in warfare. Hindu rulers often adhered to a code of conduct in warfare, showing mercy to defeated enemies and respecting their religious beliefs. This stood in stark contrast to the tactics employed by many invading forces.

Examples of Hindu tolerance:

• Prithviraj Chauhan repeatedly pardoning Muhammad Ghori
• Hammir Singh of Mewar releasing Muhammad bin Tughlaq for ransom
• King Prithu of Assam allowing defeated Muslim soldiers to settle in his kingdom

Consequences of tolerance. While these actions demonstrate the ethical standards of Hindu rulers, they sometimes led to strategic disadvantages. Pardoned enemies often returned to attack again, taking advantage of the mercy shown to them. This raises questions about the balance between ethical warfare and effective defense of one's kingdom.

5. Treachery's role: How internal betrayals aided foreign conquests

"It is but a fact that during Mughal and British rule, many Indians themselves were traitors. Had these traitors not existed there would have been no Mughal or British rule."

The enemy within. Throughout India's history, internal betrayals played a crucial role in facilitating foreign conquests. Traitors provided vital information, sabotaged defenses, and undermined resistance efforts, often in exchange for personal gain or power.

Notable instances of betrayal:

• Information leaks leading to the capture of Tirot Sing
• Betrayal in Jhansi Fort allowing British entry
• Ministers in Narsinghgarh leaking information to the British
• Capture of Banda Singh Bahadur due to informants

Long-term impact. These acts of treachery not only led to immediate military defeats but also had lasting consequences on India's political landscape. They facilitated the establishment and entrenchment of foreign rule, making subsequent resistance more challenging.

6. Sacrificial valor: Indians who chose death over surrender

"Death is more welcome than treason."

Ultimate sacrifice. Many Indian warriors, when faced with defeat or capture, chose to sacrifice their lives rather than surrender to the enemy. This demonstrated their unwavering commitment to their cause and inspired others to continue the resistance.

Notable examples of sacrificial valor:

• Rani Karnavati of Garhwal: Committed suicide rather than be captured by Mughals
• Khudiram Bose: Embraced hanging at 18 years old for his role in the independence movement
• Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev: Chose execution over seeking pardon
• Matmur Jamoh: Refused to convert to Islam and was executed

Inspiring future generations. These acts of supreme sacrifice became powerful symbols of resistance, inspiring future freedom fighters and keeping the spirit of independence alive even in the face of overwhelming odds.

7. Legacy of resistance: How local rebellions shaped India's independence movement

"A thousand Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev sprang up from across the country."

Continuous struggle. India's fight for independence was not limited to a few major events but was a continuous process of resistance spanning centuries. Local rebellions and individual acts of defiance laid the groundwork for the larger independence movement.

Key contributions of local rebellions:

• Keeping the spirit of resistance alive in different regions
• Developing and refining guerrilla warfare tactics
• Creating a network of freedom fighters across the country
• Undermining the narrative of foreign rulers' invincibility

From local to national. Many localized resistance movements eventually coalesced into larger, more organized efforts. Leaders like Bhagat Singh, inspired by earlier rebels, transformed regional struggles into a national movement for independence. This legacy of resistance played a crucial role in ultimately forcing the British to leave India.

Last updated: July 28, 2024