A Prominent Leader of Indian Independence

A national leader who played a leading role in the establishment of the Indian National Congress, Surendra Nath Banerjee made his mark as one of the most prominent leaders of Bengal at that time.  He had not planned to become a politician and so he started his career as a professor. Little did he know that life had other plans for him as he entered politics and made history.

Sir Surendranath Banerjee, Source: Surendranth Banerjee Evening College

Suredranath Banerjee was born into a Brahmin family in Kolkata in 1848. He was always taught to follow his father's principles and his entire life was aligned accordingly. His father, a man of discipline and wanted Banerjee to become financially-stable man. Therefore, he sent him to Calcutta University, one of the top colleges, to complete his studies.

The next step in Banerjee's journey was to pursue a career in the Indian Civil Services (ICS) which required him to move to England. But studying in England had its challenges. He was the only Indian in the class and he was subjected to racism. It was tough to witness the stark irony of an Indian facing such challenges considering he was preparing for an Indian Civil Exam. But being a man of his word,  despite all the hurdles, he became the second Indian to pass the highly competitive ICS exam at the young age of twenty-one.

When the time finally came for Banerjee to leave England, destiny played its cards. He was wrongly accused of misinterpreting his age, resulting in his disqualification from the service. But dare does he give up now. Banerjee saw this as one last challenge and decided to appeal to the court, arguing that he had calculated his age based on Hindu customs, counting it from the date of his conception rather than his birth.  Fortunately, he won the appeal and was finally able to return to his home country. He was appointed to Sylhet which is currently, A city in Bangladesh. Unfortunately, his tenure there was short-lived as he was dismissed in 1874 on charges of procedural irregularities.

Returning to Kolkata, Banerjee embarked on a new profession as an English professor. He used this opportunity to inspire a sense of freedom and patriotism among the younger generation of India. With his high level of education and eloquent English-speaking skills, he became a prominent and influential speaker.

His most significant contribution to the nation was the founding of the Indian National Association in 1876, aiming to provide a platform for all Indian political movements. The association not only united political voices but also fostered a newfound sense of political unity, particularly among the youth.

The First Indian National Congress, Source: WordPress

The National Conference gained recognition, with a large number of delegates from across the country attending its first session. For the first time, Indians felt that their voices were being heard and that there might be a solution to their grievances. Following the second session of the National Conference, the first session of the Indian National Congress (INC) was held in Bombay in 1885, a significant milestone in Banerjee's vision for the country as it was the first step towards political unity in our country.

However, his involvement was curtailed as he was labeled an "extremist" and kept away from political matters. The members of the INC were considered "naive" for believing that the British had the country's best interests at heart. Western writers and historians found it baffling that the victims (Indians) could think of the British as benevolent, as insiders knew that their actions were exploiting and plundering the nation.

During this time, Surendranath Banerjee had already initiated a revolution by inspiring students at Ripon College, which he had founded. He worked towards bringing Hindus and Muslims together, preaching unity among them. The INC realized their naivety and the futility of expecting anything from the British, sensing the hypocrisy on their side.

The next session of the INC was led by Surendranath Banerjee, the very leader who had been kept away from the association. Defeated by the allegations, Viceroy Dufferin left the nation and distanced himself from the association, realizing that it was no longer under his control. The Congress truly became a national movement not during its inception but when Surendranath Banerjee joined it.

Cover page of Sir Surendranath Banerjee's autobiography, Source: Rupa Publications

Surendranath Banerjee was also known as a champion for women's rights in the country, advocating for widow remarriage and extending the marriageable age of girls in India. In 1921, he was honoured with the title of "Knight" and became Sir Surendranath Banerjee.

It is remarkable how life had come full circle for Sir Surendranath Banerjee. He could have never imagined daring to enter politics, but he possessed an unwavering attitude of never giving up attitude and a deep love for literature. As a result, he spent his final days writing his autobiography, 'A Nation in Making,' which is considered a masterpiece. He passed away in 1925.