While celebrating the birth centenary year of the great revolutionary, the late Pandurang Mahadev alias Senapati Bapat, the Centenary Celebration Committee decided to publish the biography of Senapati Bapat in English, Hindi and Marathi. This political biography is written by Dr Y.D. Phadke, an eminent thinker and writer in Maharashtra. Shri Phadke, while giving an account of the exciting events in the life of Senapati Bapat, has drawn a vivid picture of the pre-Independence period and of the activities of the revolutionaries from 1905 till the 'Quit India' movement. Dr Phadke, while emphasising the revolutionary aspect of the life of Senapati Bapat, has thrown light on the latter's progressive ideas and ideals in social and economic matters. He has made an appropriate reference to the satyagraha at Mulshi which brought out the rare qualities of Pandurang Bapat and earned him the title 'Senapati'. The flame of patriotism kindled in the mind of Bapat during his formative years at the Deccan College, burned brightly till the end, and during his long terms of imprisonment the flame was "brightest in dungeons". This book also describes the various other facets of Senapati Bapat's life-such as his writings, his championing of the down-trodden and of the oppressed, his enthusiasm about the programme of cleaning (safai), and has consequently shown that it was Bapat's philosophic conviction-that formed the basis of his multifarious activities. Dr Phadke is analytical in his approach and has interpreted the various events of the Senapati's life in a very original manner. Dr Phadke has also emphasised the fact that Senapati Bapat was opposed to all forms of sectarianism and in spite of his differences with eminent persons like Mahatma Gandhi on certain issues, he wholeheartedly supported the 'Quit India' movement of 1942.
The Centenary Celebration Committee desires that the message of the life and work of Senapati Bapat should reach the readers, particularly the younger generation. We feel that the biography written by Dr Y.D. Phadke would accomplish the task admirably. The Committee also feels proud that in the Appendix certain monumental letters writ-ten by Senapati Bapat have been included. These letters throw a new light on his life-long dedication to the cause of freedom.
The Committee is thankful to all those who extended their help in bringing out this biography.
During India's struggle for freedom several revolutionaries dubbed as terrorists by the British rulers, sought to over-throw the British raj by resorting to violence. Their role is often ignored or underestimated because of the widespread belief that India achieved freedom through peaceful and non-violent struggle. It is, however, true that the Indian National Congress which played a vital role in liberating India preferred to offer peaceful and non-violent resistance. Yet a comprehensive history of India's freedom struggle must give due recognition and credit to all those who resorted to an armed struggle for regaining India's independence.
Pandurang Mahadeo Bapat was a revolutionary who dedicated all his life to the emancipation of India and was always in the forefront of a relentless struggle for equality and justice in the two decades after Independence. Though many biographies of Bapat are available in Marathi, no biographical study of this great freedom fighter is available in English. Hence, I thought that it would be appropriate to publish an account of his remarkable life in the year in which his birth-centenary is being celebrated throughout the country.
I take this opportunity to express my deep sense of gratitude to Senapati Bapat's son and daughter in-law, Shri Vamanrao Bapat and Shrimati Tarabai Bapat, for giving me permission to quote from the personal papers of P.M. Bapat. They also gave me access to their collection of press-clip-pings which proved a valuable source of information. I wish to thank the staff of the Bombay and Poona University libraries for extending to me all the facilities. I am grateful to Dr R. Srinivasan for carefully reading the typescript and making useful suggestions. The abiding affection of the members of my family proved in particular a source of strength and inspiration. To each of them, I say thank you.
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