"The very idea of the bomb and the secret society, and of propaganda through action and sacrifice were imports from the West."

Western Influences on Indian Revolutionary Thought

The statement correctly identifies significant Western influences on the Indian revolutionary movement. These influences manifested in several key areas:

• Anarchism and Nihilism: The philosophies of thinkers like Mikhail Bakunin, Sergei Nechaev, and later, the actions of Russian nihilists, deeply impacted Indian revolutionaries. The idea of violence as a legitimate tool against oppressive states resonated with those frustrated by the slow pace of constitutional reforms.
• Irish Republicanism: The Irish struggle for independence, particularly the tactics employed by groups like the Fenians – utilizing bomb attacks and secret organizations – served as a direct model for Indian nationalists. The 1883 bombings in London by Irish nationalists were widely reported in Indian newspapers and inspired similar actions.
• Secret Societies: The concept of secret societies, prevalent in European history (e.g., Carbonari in Italy), was adopted by Indian groups like the Anushilan Samiti and Jugantar. These societies provided a clandestine network for recruitment, training, and planning revolutionary activities.
• Propaganda through Action: The idea of using dramatic acts of violence to awaken the masses and generate political consciousness was borrowed from European revolutionary traditions. This was seen in the actions of groups like the ‘Maniktala Garden Conspiracy’ (1908) aimed at assassinating Kingsford.
• Bomb-Making Techniques: The knowledge of manufacturing explosives, though rudimentary, was largely acquired through Western literature and contacts. Publications detailing bomb-making were circulated among revolutionary groups.

Indigenization and Adaptation

However, these Western influences were not simply transplanted onto Indian soil. They were adapted and modified to suit the Indian context:

• Religious and Spiritual Underpinnings: Unlike purely secular Western revolutionary movements, Indian revolutionaries often infused their actions with religious and spiritual symbolism. The concept of ‘sacrifice’ (tyag) was linked to Hindu ideals of selflessness and devotion.
• Focus on Swaraj: The ultimate goal of Indian revolutionaries was not merely overthrowing the British government but achieving ‘swaraj’ – self-rule – which had a distinct cultural and philosophical meaning in the Indian context.
• Local Grievances: Revolutionary activities were often triggered by specific local grievances, such as economic hardship, famine, or oppressive land policies. This localized nature distinguished them from broader ideological movements.
• Role of Traditional Structures: Revolutionary groups sometimes utilized existing social networks and traditional structures, like akhadas (wrestling schools), for recruitment and training.

Pre-existing Conditions in India

It’s important to acknowledge that India was not a blank slate. Several pre-existing conditions made it receptive to revolutionary ideas:

• Economic Distress: Widespread poverty, famine (e.g., the Great Famine of 1876-78), and de-industrialization created a sense of discontent and desperation.
• Political Disenfranchisement: The limited political participation allowed to Indians under British rule fueled frustration and a desire for greater self-governance.
• Social Reform Movements: The earlier social reform movements, while not directly revolutionary, had created a climate of questioning traditional authority and advocating for change.
• Anti-Colonial Sentiment: A growing sense of anti-colonial sentiment, fostered by educated elites and nationalist leaders, provided fertile ground for revolutionary ideas.

The partition of Bengal in 1905 acted as a catalyst, intensifying nationalist sentiment and providing a direct impetus for the growth of revolutionary movements.