Revolutionary Terrorism- An Obsolete Nomenclature

Abstract

The rise of revolutionary activities from the first decade of the 20th century gave an impetus to the freedom struggle and presented a strong challenge to the colonial power. Young revolutionaries particularly from the regions of Punjab, Bengal and Maharashtra dominated the political scene of the time through their heroism and infused a sense of pride for their motherland in their compatriots. Their activities not only gave a radical base to the national movement but they were also responsible for introducing various ideological strands like socialism, trade unionism etc. in the Indian freedom struggle thus permeating a fresh momentum against the colonial rule particularly at the time of political lull. Irrespective of these contributions and much more, the nomenclature which has been used for this branch of freedom fighters that defines them as “revolutionary terrorists”, takes away their due credit towards the freedom struggle. Often times the term terrorism which is loosely used for them presents them as rather negative elements of the national freedom struggle. This nomenclature has been used so frequently by historians so much so that the words revolutionary and terrorists are usually used as synonyms thus reinforcing the colonial narrative of branding Indian revolutionaries as ‘terrorists. Also, in the period post-independence and particularly in the recent years, the rise of anti-state elements is often justified by equating them with the revolutionary freedom fighters which takes away from the credibility and contribution of the young revolutionaries. The present paper focuses on the need to study this nomenclature in the context of that historical space and time for its exact understanding. It is also an attempt towards interpreting the nomenclature and highlighting if the nomenclature is still suitable or not. This paper further strives towards revisiting the remarkable contributions of Indian revolutionaries, placing them within the center stage of the freedom movement and acknowledging them for their due contribution to the cause of Indian freedom.