Focus: GS I- Personalities in News
Why in News?
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has paid tributes to Shyamji Krishna Varma on his Punya Tithi
About Shyamji Krishna Varma :
Shyamji Krishna Varma (1857–1930) was an Indian revolutionary fighter, patriot, lawyer and journalist who made significant contributions towards India’s freedom struggle.
Notable Achievements:
- He was a noted scholar in Sanskrit and other Indian languages.
- He briefly pursued a legal career in India and served as the Divan of a number of Indian princely states.
- Founded India House in London in 1904, which became the nerve centre and nucleus for India’s revolutionaries.
- Started the publication of a monthly journal called ‘Indian Sociologist’ which became a vehicle of revolutionary ideas.
- In February 1905, he established the Indian Home Rule Society to raise his voice against British domination in India.
- Advocated non-violent means of getting rid of the British and using withdrawal of cooperation with the colonial administration as the most effective weapon for this purpose.
- Narendra Modi dedicated a memorial ‘Kranti Tirth’, to Shyamji Krishna Varma at the revolutionary’s ancestral town Mandvi in Kutch district.
Controversy:
- His resolution on India received an enthusiastic ovation from the entire conference. Shyamji’s activities in England aroused the concern of the British government.
- He was disbarred from Inner Temple and removed from the membership list on 30 April 1909 for writing anti-British articles in The Indian Sociologist.
