Early Life of Madam Bhikaji Cama
Madam Bhikaji Cama was born as Bhikai Sorab Patel on 24th September in the year
1861 in Bombay Presidency (now Mumbai) in a
large, well-off Parsi family. Her parents, Sorabji Framji Patel and Jaijibai
Sorabji Patel, were well known in the city, where her father Sorabji was a
lawyer by training and a merchant by profession was an influential member of the
Parsi
community.
Born
|
24
September 1861
Mumbai, India
|
Died
|
13
August 1936 (aged 74)
Mumbai, India
|
Organisation
|
India
House,
Paris Indian Society,
Indian National Congress
|
Movement
|
Indian independence movement
|
Exile of Bhikai Sorab Patel
Madam Bhikaji Cama was in exile in Europe, during the First World War until
1935, when, gravely ill and paralysed by a stroke that she had suffered earlier
that year, she petitioned the British government through Sir Cowasji Jehangir
to be allowed to return home.
Personal Life of Bhikai Sorab Patel
On 3 August 1885, she married Rustom Cama, who was son of K. R. Cama. Her husband
was a wealthy, pro-British lawyer who aspired to enter politics. It was not a
happy marriage, and Bhikhaiji spent most of her time and energy in
philanthropic activities and social work.
She died at the age of 74, at Parsi General Hospital on 13 August 1936.
"This flag is of Indian Independence! Behold, it is
born! It has been made sacred by the blood of young Indians who sacrificed
their lives. I call upon you, gentlemen to rise and salute this flag of Indian
Independence. In the name of this flag, I appeal to lovers of freedom all over
the world to support this flag."
“This is the flag of independent India. I appeal to all
gentlemen to stand and salute the Flag.” -- Said by Medam Bhikhaji Cama , Stuttgart, Germany, 1907
These were the emotional words of a frail Indian lady, with
fire inside and indomitable confidence and patriotic feeling for
motherland, India. The year was 1907 and the time, 3rd week of August. The
Indian independence was 40 years away, and the world was not fully aware of the
burning patriotism of hundreds and thousands of young Indians who were ready to
lay down their lives for the sake of freedom for their country. The British
were trying their best to put down the revolutionaries by bringing in
ordinances, bans and arrests for life on the basis of treason. Treason was the
greatest "crime" of the Indian which ensured a minimum of
six years of black waters (kalapani) or
deportation to Andaman and harsh punishment.
Bhikaji Cama was born on September 24 1861 into a large, affluent Parsi
family. Her father, Sorabji Framji Patel, was a famous merchant
who was at the the forefront of business, education, and philanthropy
in the city of Bombay.
Influenced by an environment in which the Indian nationalist movement was
taking root, Bhikaji was drawn toward political issues from a very early
age. She had a flair for languages and soon became proficient in arguing
her country’s cause in different circles.
In 1885, she married Rustomji Cama, a well-known lawyer, but her involvement
with sociopolitical issues led to differences between the couple.While Mr
Cama adored British, loved their culture and thought they had done a lot
of good to India, Bhikaji was a nationalist at heart and believed that the
Britishers had ruthlessly exploited India for their own profit. It was not a
happy marriage, and Bhikhaji spent most of her time and energy in philanthropic
activities and social work.
In 1896, bubonic plague broke out in the Bombay Presidency and Bhikaji
immediately volunteered to help the team working to save plague victims.
Hundreds were dying in Bombay and Bhikaji too caught the deadly disease. Though
she recovered, the disease left her in poor health.
She was advised to go to Europe for rest and recuperation and in 1902,
Bhikaji left India for London which was to become her home for the rest of
life.
During her stay there, she met Dadabhai Naoroji, a
strong critic of British economic policy in India, and began working for the
Indian National Congress. Cama also came in contact with other Indian
nationalists, including Lala Har Dayal, and Shyamji Krishnavarma, and addressed
several meetings in London’s Hyde Park.
She worked as secretary for some time to
Dadabhai Naoroji, the famous Indian leader in London.
During her stay in London, she got a message from the
British that her return to India would be prohibited unless she would sign a
statement promising not to participate in nationalist activities. She refused
to make such a promise and remained in exile in Europe.
On August 22, 1907, Madam Bhikaji Cama became the first person to
hoist Indian flag on foreign soil in Stuttgart in Germany. Appealing for human
rights, equality and for autonomy from Great Britain, she described the
devastating effects of a famine that had struck the Indian subcontinent.
he same flag was later smuggled into India by socialist leader Indulal
Yagnik and is now on display at the Maratha and Kesari Library in Pune.
Cama wrote, published (in Holland and Switzerland) and distributed revolutionary literature for the movement, including Bande Mataram (founded in response to the Crown ban on the poem Vande Mataram- from Paris begun in September 1909 by the Paris Indian Society) and later Madan's Talwar (in response to the execution of Madan Lal Dhingra - publication was established in 1909 in Paris).
Indian Posts and Telegraphs Department issued a commemorative stamp in her honour. In 1997, the Indian Coast Guard commissioned a Priyadarshini-class fast patrol vessel ICGS Bikhaiji Cama after Bikhaiji Cama.
Bhikaji Cama is also known as Madam Cama and is considered as the mother of Indian revolution because of her contributions to Indian freedom struggle. Madam Cama holds an important place in the annals of Indian freedom movement. Her name symbolised courage, integrity and perseverance.
Comments
Post a Comment