Quietly flows the river Kangsavati, which emerges from the Chotanagpur plateau of castern India and curves down through the western-most district of Midnapore, Bengal, and joins about fifty miles down south with the mighty Rupnarain, before joining the Bay of Bengal. Being winter, the river was at its lowest level. On the far side the embankment was rather steep as the main stream passed by it while on the near (northern) side was a broad and long sandy beach which was crowded in summer by people who wanted to get a temporary relief from the scorching heat of the rocky and dusty town of Midnapore. Part of the beach was occupied by people having license from government to grow vegetables, to supply to the town.
Being winter, however, the beach was practically deserted especially as the sun was going down as a rolling and dancing crimson disc. It was casting a mild red glow over the sky, over the big 'Sris' trees, on the other bank of the river, and a dimmer shadow over the sandy beach itself. The whole atmosphere was serene and calm. But it was the most excitable occasion in the year 1925 for five young boys, still in their teens who assembled there and sat on the sandy beach in a small circle. Their hearts were beating fast, their eyes and ears were alert, lest there should be anybody else to find or hear them. Their minds were deter-mined to trail a new path -- to embark on an adventure compared to their elders and to many boys of their age, that is, to strive for a Free India. Clasping the most sacred of Hindu religious book, Bhagvad Gita in folded hands, cach of the five boys took this oath: "Holding this sacred book I promise to spare no efforts and no sacrifices including my life for the attainment of the freedom of India."
By the time all of them had taken the oath it grew dark. But as they dispersed, they knew that it was just a beginning. A beginning of a new and unknown life -- a leap in the dark. None the less, life to them was not the same as before. It acquired a new sense of value and an inner illumination which made them feel different from others.
The boys were all class fellows’ students of Class VI of Town School, Midnapore. They were, Anadinath Majumdar, Birendra Nath Manjhi, Haripada Bhowmik, Santosh Kumar Mishra and myself. All were good students and enjoyed good reputation among the teachers. All came from the middle-class families.
Thus, five teenagers returned home that evening with a new vision and with a grim determination. But they had scarcely any idea how to proceed on the view path they have chosen for themselves. One thing they presumed: whatever it might be it would be hard and arduous. It would need immense courage, endurance, skill and sacrifice, even of their very lives.
At home I continued to think over the possibilities. How would we succeed against the most powerful and extensive British Empire where it was said the sun never set. Depression struck me.
The British acquired their domination over India, when the mighty Moghul Emperors had been fading one after another. Their provincial satraps, governors and administrators were struggling to carve out little principalities of their own. Hindu, Sikh and Moslem Nawabs, Maharajas, Chiefs and lords were struggling to regain their independence.
Thus, the British who entered India early in the century as a trading company in search of profitable commerce, took advantage of this situation, both at the Centre and in the provinces. They turned one hostile group against another, as the Romans did nearly fifteen hundred years ago in their empire with the active and military assistance, they finally subjugated the great country, after the Battle of Plassey in 1757. They adopted 'divide and rule' policy. By giving autonomy to some of the loyal and less ambitious chiefs, on the one hand, and non-interference with the local customs and religious practices on the other, gradually they consolidated their hold and even extended the frontiers of their rule beyond the erstwhile borders of India.
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