Pandit Dev Narayan Bhartiya

Pandit Dev Narayan Bhartiya
The Great Revolutionary Pandit Dev Narayan Bhartiya (1899-1968)
Born	May 27, 1899 Agra (United Provinces)
Died	August 9, 1968 (Age 69) Shahjahanpur (Uttar Pradesh)
Alma mater	Raja Balwant Singh Colllege (1915) Ewing Christian College (1917)
Occupation(s)	revolutionary, writer, Ex-MLA
Notable work	1. Slapped a British teacher at the age of thirteen, leading to his expulsion. 2. Founder, skilled organizer, and leader of North India’s first revolutionary organization, ‘Matrvedi Dal’. 3. Author of the book “America Ko Swadheenta Kaise Mili,” which was confiscated by the British government (1917). 4. Bomb expert. 5. A reward of two thousand rupees, dead or alive, was announced in connection with the Mainpuri conspiracy case. 6. Sentenced 72 British officers to death. 7. Despite 17 years of imprisonment, he was the protagonist in ten conspiracy cases.
Political party	National Congress, Socialist Party
Spouse(s)	Late Premvati Sharma Bhartiya (passed away in 1965)
Children	(Daughters) Late Sarla Devi Sharma, Late Urmila Trivedi, Late Jitendra Kumari Chaturvedi, Mrs. Kumud Mishra (Son-in-law – Mr. Anadi Mishra)

Introduction

Pandit Dev Narayan Bhartiya was born in the month of Jyeshtha, on the Pratipada date of Krishna Paksha, Vikram Samvat 1956 (corresponding to 27 May 1899 CE), into a Sanadhya Brahmin family. His father, Pandit Shyamlal Sharma, was serving as a police inspector in the pre-independence India at the Hariparvat police station, residing in a two-storey ancestral house in Mohalla Madiya Katra, Agra district (United Provinces). Pandit Dev Narayan Bhartiya had two younger brothers (Pandit Ramnarayan Sharma and Pandit Shyamnarayan Sharma) and two sisters. His wife, the late Premvati Sharma Bharatiya, was from Bijnor district (Moradabad - United Provinces). He established the first revolutionary organization of North India, 'Matrvedi Dal,' in Agra in 1913. Under this organization, he played a significant role in several revolutionary cases including the Agra Arms Act Case (1916), Jodhpur Conspiracy Case (1917), Gwalior Conspiracy Case (January 1918), Mainpuri Conspiracy Case (December 1918), Collector Willoughby Murder Case (1920), Peepal Case (1921), Kakori Conspiracy Case (1925), Shahjahanpur Conspiracy Case (1930), Balamau Police Chowki Case, Imperial Bank Case, etc. In the Mainpuri Conspiracy Case, Pandit Dev Narayan Bharatiya was banned from Agra district and imprisoned in Shahjahanpur district until 1937, marking a 17-year long imprisonment in revolutionary history. Despite being in confinement, he successfully executed all revolutionary activities.

He provided bomb-making and operating training to the youth throughout his life in Farrukhabad district. Many youths trained at these camps carried out revolutionary activities. For instance, the former editor of the monthly magazine Rashtradharm, Padmashri Vachnesh Tripathi, was involved in the Balamau Case, and Munshiram Aditya was involved in the Imperial Bank Case in Farrukhabad. Similarly, several of his disciples performed revolutionary activities at various places.

Due to his father’s position in the police department and his uncle’s role as a military commander in the Rajasthan princely states, Dev Narayan Bhartiya received various types of assistance for revolutionary activities. However, following the exposure of the Mainpuri Conspiracy Case (December 1918), his father was dismissed from his job. Consequently, the family faced economic hardships and crises. Nevertheless, Pandit Dev Narayan Bhartiya never withdrew from revolutionary work despite the family’s suffering, depression, and opposition. Dev Narayan Bhartiya played a crucial role in ensuring the safety of 24 revolutionaries, including Vijay Singh Pathik (Bhup Singh), Jagdamba Prasad 'Hitaishi' Mishra, Pandit Gendalal Dixit, Ramnarayan Pandey, Shiv Krishna, and Thakur Gangasingh, among others. Despite a reward of two thousand rupees for his capture, either dead or alive, he successfully protected these revolutionaries.

Beginning of Revolutionary Life (1912)

When Pandit Dev Narayan Bhartiya was about thirteen years old, he was playing on the street with his friends. During this time, the British collector’s wife was passing by in a carriage, with policemen clearing the way, shouting "Move... Save..." An old, weak, and poor man began to cross the street and was beaten by the carriage driver and policemen. Witnessing this, Dev Narayan Bhartiya pulled the driver down from his seat and pelted the policemen with stones. This was his first act of rebellion against the British government. Shortly after, on his first day at an English-medium college, he was banished from Agra district for a year for assaulting the British principal and class teacher. After this incident, dropped 'Sharma' from his name and adopted 'Bharatiya' permanently.

Pandit Arjunlal Sethi School, Jaipur (1912)

After his banishment, Pandit Dev Narayan Bhartiya enrolled in Pandit Arjun Lal Sethi's school, concealing his true identity. When he killed a corrupt person, his true identity was revealed to Sethi. Pleased, Sethi decided to train him in bomb-making. At that time, the leader of the revolutionaries in India, Rash Behari Bose, was involved in planning the assassination of the British Viceroy in Delhi. Sethi sent a letter addressed to Rasoo-Da with Devanarayan Bharatiya, recommending him as highly suitable for bomb training. Rasoo-Da then sent Pandit Dev Narayan Bhartiya to Bengal to train with Shashank Mohan Hazra (also known as Amritlal Hazra), where he received bomb training with four young associates. Pandit Dev Narayan Bhartiya became renowned as a 'bomb expert' due to his exceptional skill in bomb-making.

Formation of 'Matrvedi Dal'

After returning from Bengal, Pandit Dev Narayan Bhartiya and his associates organized a meeting to create an armed organization to free the country. Two revolutionary organizations were formed: the 'Matrvedi Dal,' headed by Pandit Dev Narayan Bhartiya , and the 'Shivaji Committee,' led by Pandit Genda Lal Dixit. The meeting included prominent figures such as the martyr Pandit Gendalal Dixit, Lakshmananand Brahmachari, teacher Ramratan, and Krishna Datt Paliwal. Gendalal Dixit had instilled patriotism in dacoits, forming the 'Shivaji Committee.'

Pandit Dev Narayan Bhartiya arranged a teaching job for Genda Lal Dixit at a relative’s school in Auraiya, where Dixit later became the headmaster. Under this organization, they looted the properties of cruel landlords, British sympathizers, and traitors to fund weapons, bombs, and revolutionary literature. Pandit Dev Narayan Bhartiya and Todi Singh executed traitors like Shobharam. He also tried to incite British soldiers against the British government like the 1857 rebellion, but the plan failed due to exposure, leading to the dispersion of revolutionary companions.

Oath of 'Matrvedi Dal'

Pandit Dev Narayan Bhartiya drafted the constitution of Matri Vedi Dal, which had four departments: the Secret Department, Military Department, Craftsmanship Department, etc. He wrote the famous valor poem, "Hai Desh Ko Swadhin Karna Janm Mam Sansar Mein..." as the organization's oath. New members had to take the oath with a sword in one hand and the Bhagavad Gita in the other while singing this poem, with fire as a witness. They were not considered revolutionary members until Pandit Dev Narayan Bhartiya approved them.

Pandit Dev Narayan Bhartiya 's First Jail Term (1916)

In the first quarter of the year, Devanarayan Bharatiya, along with his revolutionary companions Gendalal Dixit and Damilal Pandey, went to Gwalior state to procure arms. While returning with arms and bomb materials on camels from Gwalior state, they were caught at a toll booth. They were tried under the Agra Arms Act Case. However, Devanarayan Bharatiya’s father, Pandit Shyamlal Sharma, used his influence to have the witnesses change their statements, resulting in Pandit Dev Narayan Bhartiya and Damilal Pandey being acquitted due to lack of evidence. Notably, Krishna Datt Paliwal's father testified and bailed Pandit Dev Narayan Bhartiya due to family ties.

Jodhpur Conspiracy Case (1917)

Pandit Dev Narayan Bhartiya planned to blow up the Viceroy, Lord Chelmsford, during his visit to Jodhpur. They dug a tunnel and made arrangements to explode a bomb on the set date. Unfortunately, due to betrayal, arrests began, and the secret police raided across India. Upon discovering that Pandit Dev Narayan Bhartiya was the mastermind, warrants were issued for him. However, he went underground with his prominent associate, the esteemed saint (revolutionary before 1945). Pandit Dev Narayan Bhartiya again managed to influence the evidence, making the case ineffective.

Mainpuri Conspiracy Case (1918)

A warrant was issued against Pandit Devnarayan Bhartiya Ji for absconding in the Mainpuri Conspiracy Case.

The Matri Vedi Dal had expanded to United provinces, Bihar, Bengal, Nepal, China, and Japan, renting houses in each district to store revolutionary arms, explosives, literature, and accounting books. Some revolutionaries lived in these rented houses. The organization issued a provocative pamphlet titled 'Message to the Countrymen,' which Pandit Dev Narayan Bhartiya meticulously printed. He organized the distribution and dissemination of these pamphlets according to his instructions.

The martyr Pandit Gendalal Dixit and Lakshmananand Brahmachari were stationed in the Bhind forests. Due to a traitor dacoit Pancham Singh, a shootout occurred with Freddy Young, injuring Dixit and Brahmachari. Thirty-five members of the group were martyred. Injured Dixit and Brahmachari were imprisoned in Gwalior Fort. Upon learning this from his father, Devanarayan Bharatiya, along with his associates, went to Gwalior Fort to meet Dixit. They planned to free him through letter exchanges and signals. Pandit Dev Narayan Bhartiya also bribed jail officials but was unsuccessful due to the exposure of the conspiracy.

Pandit Dev Narayan Bhartiya wrote the book ‘America Ko Swadheenta Kaise Mili’ in 1917, published in 1918, to support revolutionaries. This book was recommended for students by the Board of Education to make them aware of revolution. Unfortunately, it was later banned.

In 1918, Pandit Dev Narayan Bhartiya conducted revolutionary activities, including raids on police stations, robbing government treasuries, and attacking the British police and soldiers. Subsequently, he was arrested and imprisoned for 17 years in the Mainpuri Conspiracy Case. He was involved in further revolutionary activities even from prison.

1. Meeting with Mahamana Madan Mohan Malviya (1918)

When Pandit Dev Narayan Bhartiya was studying in Allahabad, he was classmates with Madan Mohan Malviya's sons. Through them, Bharati had the opportunity to meet Madan Mohan Malviya and requested his assistance in the Mianpuri Conspiracy Case. Malviya was deeply touched by Bharati's request and, embracing him, said, "My son, I have retired from practicing law and am currently fully engaged in the establishment and advancement of Kashi Hindu University. I am collecting funds for the university, and I will contribute a purse from this fund for your case. You should go to my close friend, Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das, in Bengal. I will write a letter for him. He will be more than willing to advocate for this case."

2. Meeting with Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das

Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das was a great patriot and a person of revolutionary ideas. He himself came to Mianpuri and met Pandit Dev Narayan Bhartiya, the leader of the first revolutionary group in the United Provinces. Das was greatly impressed by Bharati's robust physique, fiery eyes, and dynamic face, and remarked that while revolutionary groups had been active in Bengal for a long time, he was seeing a new organization in the United Provinces, which pleased him greatly. He then asked Bharati about his current strength and capabilities. Bharati confidently replied, "If necessary, we could blow up this prison tonight, or even Mianpuri city." Upon hearing this, Das patted Bharati's back and said, "The country needs brave and valiant individuals like you today. I now only ask one thing: if you can somehow get the informer Ramnarayan out of jail, the case will be resolved." Bharati assured him he would do so.

3. Escaping from Jail

When Gendalal was imprisoned in Mianpuri jail, Devanarayan Bharati disguised himself as a vegetable vendor and entered the jail. He carried a hollow gourd with a saw and a pistol inside, intended for cutting the jail bars. He instructed Gendalal to pretend to be a government witness so that he could be imprisoned with Ramnarayan Pandey. The plan was that Gendalal would then escape with Ramnarayan. Gendalal followed the plan, pretending to be a government witness and providing names of both real and fake revolutionaries to gain the police's trust. By the scheduled date, Gendalal had cut through the jail bars. He forcibly took Ramnarayan out of the jail with a pistol and Devanarayan Bharati safely transported them to Gendalal's elder brother's residence.

Simultaneously, according to the pre-arranged date and plan, Devanarayan Bharati facilitated the escape of revolutionary comrade Shivkrishna from police custody and kept him in various safe locations. He also ensured the safety of other fugitive revolutionaries from the Mianpuri Conspiracy Case by leaving them with trusted revolutionary companions. After securing the fugitives, he focused on the case's defense. During the trial of the Mianpuri Conspiracy Case, he threatened several witnesses to change their statements. The records of the Mianpuri Conspiracy Case in his library reveal which witness’s statement was altered. It is noteworthy that all these revolutionary activities were carried out under a bounty of two thousand rupees, dead or alive, declared on him.

Thanks to the proficient advocacy of Deshbandhu C.R. Das and Barrister B.C. Chatterjee, the eleven revolutionaries involved in the Mianpuri Conspiracy Case received minor sentences despite their actions deserving the death penalty according to British law.

Refusal to Accept Sands' Conditions

Deputy Inspector General of Police Sands was responsible for the exposure of the Mianpuri Conspiracy Case. According to the autobiography ‘Bandi Jeevan’ by the great revolutionary Sachindra Nath Sanyal, Sands made significant efforts to secure the release of some fugitives from the Mianpuri Case. He offered a deal that if the fugitives surrendered, they would be released. Most of the prisoners from Mainpuri were released on these terms. Sands then approached Pandit Dev Narayan Bhartiya, asking him to provide a written assurance that he would not participate in any revolutionary activities in the future. Bharati refused to accept any conditions and clearly declined to write such a guarantee. Despite repeated requests from Sands to accept the conditions, Bharati's refusal led to his detention.

Seventeen Years of Detention

It was eventually decided by Sands and his higher authorities that Pandit Bharati would not be released unconditionally. Therefore, he was given the option to choose any direction and relocate to a village at least three hundred kilometers away, where transportation was minimal and the population was largely uneducated and poor. This was to ensure he could not incite revolutionary thoughts among the illiterate. Bharati chose an interior village in Jalalabad Tehsil. His detention lasted from 1920 to 1937. During this period, he defied police surveillance and fought against the oppression of the poor by kings, landlords, and feudal lords. He actively participated in all Congress movements, trained youths in bomb-making in Farukhabad from 1921 to 1945, and was a key figure in the Shahjahanpur Conspiracy Case. He also became a member of the Legislative Assembly in 1937 for the first time.

Meeting with the Great Revolutionary Shachindra Nath Sanyal

Pandit Dev Narayan Bhartiya was a classmate of Shachindra Nath Sanyal's younger brother. Based on this connection, Sanyal met Bharati to discuss the development and direction of the revolutionary movement. They shared their experiences and Sanyal encouraged Bharati to join the ‘Prakasha Movement.’ However, Sanyal also appointed Bharati as the district leader of the Hindustan Republican Association for Agra. Bharati chose not to return to Agra after witnessing the atrocities against the poor in Shahjahanpur. Sanyal praised Bharati in his autobiography ‘Bandi Jeevan’, stating that "Bharati was a man of profound wisdom and gravitas. Had he established his base in Agra instead of Shahjahanpur, the revolutionary movement in North India would have achieved even greater prominence.".

Meeting with the Great Revolutionary Yogesh Chandra Chatterjee

Yogesh Chandra Chatterjee started building revolutionary organizations in North India after coming from Bengal. During this process, he met all the prominent active revolutionaries of the time, including Devanarayan Bharati. Chatterjee considered Bharati an important and respected leader in Shahjahanpur's political sphere in 1921. After the Kakori Conspiracy Case, Chatterjee and Bharati conducted a bomb-making training camp in Farukhabad. According to Chatterjee, "Bharati played a significant role in securing the release of revolutionary Sudama Prasad Pandey, who had been sentenced in the Shahjahanpur Conspiracy Case", due to Bharati’s position as a member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly in 1937.

Kakori Conspiracy Case (1925)

Pandit Dev Narayan Bhartiya was prominently involved in the Kakori Conspiracy Case. However, due to the testimony of two police officers assigned to surveil him during his detention, he was cleared of charges in the Kakori Conspiracy Case. This is little known; to protect Ashfaqulla Khan, who was sought by the police, Bharati had sent a letter to Pandit Arjunlal Sethi asking him to shelter Khan. Khan remained safe there until he was later protected by Pandit Sitaram Mishra (Bharati's future father-in-law) during a police raid. Previously, during the Mianpuri Case, when Thakur Ganga Singh was injured while making bombs, a student named Pandit Sitaram Mishra (later Bharati's father-in-law) had fetched a doctor. In 1920-21, Bharati resided in the Hindu Patti Mohalla of Tehsil Tilhar for a major revolutionary action, receiving full support from Pandit Bhoopram Mishra (Naib Tehsildar) and Pandit Harprasad Mishra. Pandit Sitaram Mishra (landowner and lambardar) was the son of Pandit Bhoopram Mishra. According to revolutionary Jaydev Kapoor of the Lahore Conspiracy Case, Pandit Dev Narayan Bhartiya was the president of the Kisan Sabha.

This article is credible, as Pandit Dev Narayan Bhartiya was the author’s maternal grandfather. Author – Tanuj Mishra ‘Pranjal’, son of Shri Anadi Mishra and grandson of the late Pandit Sitaram Mishra.