More than One year has already passed.
27th May 1947
Years following the tragic loss of Anand Verma, Surya Yadav's life was a blur of relentless action and calculated maneuvers. Every day, from dawn to dusk, he labored to strengthen the Bharatiya Swatantra Sangh (BSS) and push forward his grand vision for India. He knew that time was running short, with India's independence fast approaching. The fight was no longer just against the British. Now, he had to ensure that the country did not fall into the hands of those who would sell out its future—namely, the Indian National Congress (INC).
One of his key goals was to form alliances with influential figures who could help him carry forward his agenda. He had already begun laying the groundwork by connecting with various freedom fighters and thought leaders, but there was one man whose support would be crucial to his plans: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Surya had long admired Patel for his unyielding determination and deep commitment to the cause of Indian independence. Known as the "Iron Man of India," Patel was a key figure in the freedom movement. However, despite of this, he had thus far aligned himself closely with the INC, particularly with leaders like Gandhi and Nehru. Surya knew that if he could sway Patel to work with the Bharatiya Swatantra Sangh, it would be a major coup—not just for the movement, but for India's future.
In the early months of 1946, Surya finally got his chance. Through a series of backchannel negotiations, he managed to arrange a private meeting with Patel. The meeting was set to take place in a secluded estate in Gujarat, far from the prying eyes of the British and the Congress loyalists.
Surya arrived at the estate early, taking a moment to gather his thoughts before the meeting. He knew that convincing Patel would not be easy. The man was as pragmatic as he was principled, and Surya had to present a vision that would appeal not just to Patel's sense of patriotism, but also to his strategic mind.
When Patel entered the room, there was an air of gravity about him. He was a tall, imposing figure, with sharp eyes that seemed to pierce through any facade. Surya rose to greet him, bowing slightly in respect.
"Thank you for agreeing to meet with me, Sardar," Surya began.
Patel nodded curtly. "I've heard about your work with the Bharatiya Swatantra Sangh. You've been making quite the impact in recent months."
Surya smiled faintly. "We've been trying to do our part for the country. But I believe there is much more we can achieve—together."
Patel raised an eyebrow. "And what makes you think I would abandon the Congress and join your cause?"
Surya had anticipated this question. He leaned forward, his voice calm but resolute. "The Congress has done much for the freedom movement, but they are not equipped to lead India into the future. Their vision is narrow, their approach is limited. Once the British leave, the real work will begin—the work of building a strong, self-sufficient nation. I fear that under Congress rule, India will be free in name only. They will compromise our sovereignty in exchange for power."
Patel's eyes narrowed. "You think the Congress would betray the very ideals we've fought for?"
"I don't think it's a matter of betrayal," Surya replied carefully. "I think it's a matter of perspective. The Congress leadership is too focused on appeasement. They are more interested in gaining power than in truly empowering the people. The Bharatiya Swatantra Sangh believes in building India from the ground up—by focusing on education, technology, and self-reliance. We want to create a nation that stands strong on its own, without needing to rely on foreign powers."
Patel was silent for a moment, considering Surya's words. "And how do you propose to achieve all this?"
Surya took a deep breath. "By starting with the people. We've already begun establishing Gurukuls (Indian Schooling System that was destroyed by British mostly) across the country—traditional schools that not only teach academic subjects but also instill a sense of pride in our culture and heritage. We are working to revive the ancient systems of knowledge, while also incorporating modern advancements in science and technology. My goal is to create a generation of Indians who are not only educated but who are also deeply connected to their roots."
Patel nodded slowly. "Education is key, yes. But the British will not stand idly by while you establish these schools."
"They already know," Surya said with a smirk. "But they can't stop us. The Gurukuls are growing too quickly, and they're spread too far. Every day, more and more children are being educated in a way that makes them proud of being Indian, not just colonial subjects. And it's not just the children—entire communities are being transformed."
Patel looked intrigued. "What else?"
Surya leaned forward. "We are also working on military innovations. armored vehicles, new types of weapons—things that will give us an edge in the coming struggle. The British may leave, afterall in the world war has already passed, and British power has already weakened and they will leave otherwise our Bhartiya Swatantra Sangh is enough. But we will still have to contend with the threats from within and without. We need to be prepared."
Patel's expression hardened. "And what of Hinduism? I've heard that you're promoting it on a large scale."
Surya nodded. "Yes, we are. But not in a way that divides. We're using Hinduism to unite the people, to give them a sense of shared identity and purpose. For too long, the British have tried to break us apart by exploiting our differences—religious, linguistic, regional. We need to remind people that we are one nation, with a rich cultural heritage that goes back thousands of years. Hinduism is the foundation of that heritage, and by promoting it, we're fostering a sense of unity and pride."
(Before British invaded the India, there was no classification based on cast system, but rather on work.)
Patel was quiet for a long time, his gaze steady as he studied Surya. Finally, he spoke. "You have a long vision, Surya. But vission alone won't be enough. You will need strong allies if you're going to challenge the Congress."
Surya smiled. "That's why I'm here."
Patel gave a small chuckle. "Very well. I will consider your proposal. But know this—I will not abandon the Congress lightly. They have been my comrades in this fight for decades. If I am to work with you, I will need to be convinced that your path is the right one."
Surya nodded. "I wouldn't expect anything less."
With Patel's tentative support, Surya threw himself into expanding the Gurukul school system across India. He knew that education was the key to breaking the shackles of colonialism, not just politically, but mentally. The British had instilled a deep sense of inferiority in the Indian psyche, and Surya was determined to reverse that.
The Gurukuls were not just places of learning—they were centers of cultural revival. The curriculum was a blend of ancient Vedic knowledge and modern science. Students learned about their heritage, about India's glorious past, but they also studied mathematics, engineering, and the sciences. The goal was to produce not just scholars, but innovators—people who could build a future for India that was rooted in its past but forward-looking in its aspirations.
Despite the British attempts to suppress these schools, they grew rapidly. By the end of 1946, there were hundreds of Gurukuls operating across the country, with tens of thousands of students, and the reason is some of the princely states are helping it. The British were powerless to stop them, as the schools were often hidden in remote villages, supported by local communities that were fiercely protective of their newfound source of education.
Surya's vision was taking shape, and with each passing day, the influence of the Bharatiya Swatantra Sangh grew. People were beginning to see the BSS as more than just a resistance movement—it was becoming a symbol of India's future.
While the Gurukul system was publicly flourishing, Surya was also working on several secret projects behind the scenes. He knew that education alone would not be enough to secure India's future. The country needed to be able to defend itself, not just from external threats but from internal ones as well.
Surya had always been a brilliant engineer, and in his previous life, he had worked on some of India's most advanced defense projects. Now, with his newfound memory and intellect, he was pushing the boundaries of what was possible.
In a hidden facility deep in the forests of Madhya Pradesh, Surya had assembled a team of like-minded scientists and engineers. Together, they were working on the development of light armored vehicles, rifles, and other weapons that would give India a strategic advantage in the post-independence world. The British had no idea that such a project was underway, as it was carefully concealed under the guise of agricultural research.
The weapons Surya was designing were not just for show. He knew that once India gained independence, there would be a power struggle between the BSS and the INC. Nehru and his allies would not relinquish control easily, and Surya needed to be prepared for that eventuality.
At the same time, Surya was working to promote Hinduism on a large scale. He understood that religion was a powerful tool for unifying the masses, and he wanted to use it to foster a sense of national identity. However, he was careful not to frame it as a divisive force. His version of Hinduism was inclusive, focusing on shared values and cultural pride rather than on differences between communities.
Through the Gurukuls and other cultural institutions, Surya began to reintroduce traditional festivals, rituals, and practices
(Well the backlog was removed for that day. I will try to update around this time.
Take care of yourself, guys.)