History and Art and Culture
In news: The Prime Minister has paid tributes to Shyamji Krishna Varma on his Jayanti.
About Shyamji Krishna Varma:
- Born in 1857 in modern-day Gujarat, Shyamji Krishna Varma completed his education in India, before moving on to teach Sanskrit at the Oxford University.
- In 1905 he founded the “India House” acted as one of the most prominent centres for revolutionary Indian nationalism outside India.
- He also found monthly journal “The Indian Sociologist” which became an outlet for nationalist ideas and through the Indian Home Rule Society, he criticised the British rule in India.
- On 18 February 1905, Shyamji inaugurated a new organisation called “The Indian Home Rule Society” with the object of securing Home Rule for India.
- Varma became the first President of Bombay Arya Samaj.
- He was an admirer of Dayanand Saraswati, and he inspired Veer Savarkar who was a member of India House in London.
- Verma also served as the Divan of a number of states in India.
- A memorial called Kranti Teerth dedicated to him was inaugurated in 2010 near Mandvi, Kutch, Gujarat.
Source: PIB
Previous Year Question
Q.1) With reference to Indian freedom struggle, Usha Mehta is well-known for (2011):
- Running the secret Congress Radio in the wake of Quit India Movement
- Participating in the Second Round Table Conference
- Leading a contingent of Indian National Army
- Assisting in the formation of Interim Government under Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
