Chapter 11: Letter to the Heroes

The following day, on the orders of Elizabeth, Vikram, the In-charge of the headquarters of Indian Daily News in Hyderabad, along with other personnel in charge of various branches, personally visited well-known public figures, including Syed Ahmed Khan, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, Raja Ravi Varma, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, and Bal Gangadhar Tilak. These prominent figures were significant in India in 1882.

The secret actions of Indian Daily News went unnoticed by the public and British. Before the representatives of Indian Daily News reached them, under Natasha's directive, Mehboob's spies acted swiftly, delivering letters to these influential individuals. Even Dadabhai Naoroji, who was in London, designated spy was responsible with the task of delivering the letter to him.

In history, Dadabhai Naoroji was a significant figure in Indian politics, and his notable achievements included:

1. First Indian Elected to the British House of Commons: Naoroji made history as the first Indian to be elected to the British House of Commons in 1892, representing the constituency of Finsbury Central. This marked a significant milestone for Indian representation in British politics.

2. Advocate of Indian Self-Rule: He was among the earliest proponents of Swaraj (self-rule) and played a foundational role in shaping Indian nationalism. His efforts to raise awareness about British economic exploitation in India earned him great respect.

3. The "Drain Theory": Naoroji is well-known for his economic critique of British rule through his Drain of Wealth Theory, which argued that British policies systematically drained India's wealth and resources. This critique became a cornerstone of Indian nationalist arguments against colonial rule.

4. Founding Member of the Indian National Congress (INC): Naoroji was one of the key figures involved in the founding of the Indian National Congress in 1885, which later became the primary platform for India's fight for independence.

Due to his pioneering role in Indian nationalism, his work in both India and the UK, and his lasting influence on later leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Dadabhai Naoroji remains one of the most respected figures in modern Indian history.

Returning to the narrative, on a pitch-black night, a spy named Qadir sneaked into the newspaper offices of Bal Gangadhar Tilak and placed a letter on the table before leaving. The next day, when Tilak arrived at his office, he was surprised to find a letter. He called his assistant and asked, "Where did this letter come from? Did you put this here?"

"No, sir, I don't know how it got here," the assistant replied. Confused, Tilak dismissed his assistant and examined the letter. The envelope bore a crown symbol.

Upon opening it, he was astonished by its contents:

"Assalamualaikum, Namaste, Hello, Sasriyakal!

As I write this, a dark cloud looms over our beloved India—a land rich in culture, history, and spirit, now shackled by the oppressive weight of British rule. I address you not merely as fellow countrymen but as the torchbearers of our nation's destiny, for the time has come to awaken the slumbering spirit of our motherland.

This letter serves a dual purpose: to invite you to join a sacred cause and to ignite a fire within your hearts for our collective liberation. You, esteemed leaders, have been chosen for a reason. Your voices echo across our land; let them resonate with the cries for justice, freedom, and dignity.

We stand at a precipice. The British, masters of division, wield their tools of discord—religion, caste, culture and language—against us. Their policy of "Divide and Rule" has long been a malignant force, exploiting our differences to weaken our unity. We must not succumb to their machinations. Our strength lies in our solidarity; we must rise above the superficial barriers that they impose upon us.

The educational institutions of our time are breeding grounds for their philosophies, distorting our history and values. Our youth are being indoctrinated to accept foreign narratives while their own heritage fades into obscurity. This is an affront to our identity, a theft of our soul.

For these reasons, I am preparing for action against our oppressors. Let us awaken the consciousness of our people. If the British continue to respond with indifference, we must be prepared to resist with resolve. History has shown us that every uprising, every cry for freedom, has been born from the ashes of oppression.

I understand your fears; echoes of the 1857 uprising still haunt our memories. But do not let past failures stifle our potential for success. This moment demands that we rise, not as individuals bound by fear but as a united front ready to reclaim our dignity. I implore you to lend your support—let your pens become swords against tyranny.

I have initiated INDIAN DAILY NEWS as our platform to voice the grievances of our people. Use this medium to express your thoughts, to rally those who share our vision. Let your words forge the weapons of equality, justice, and independence.

Yet, I acknowledge the shackles imposed upon us—laws like the Vernacular Press Act serve to silence our dissent. I am prepared to confront these injustices head-on. If you share my vision, help raise your voices against this tyranny. Together, we can shatter these chains and reclaim our narrative.

Should you choose to ignore this letter, you may find yourself buried under the weight of cowardice. Whether you stand with us or not, I will act. Starting next month, India will witness monumental changes; prepare yourselves.

Do not disclose the content of this letter to anyone, regardless of whether you are a British supporter or against them. Keep this to yourself for the next month. If you support us, simply write 'Yes' or 'No' on the back of this letter, and our people will collect it from you in two days. You have this time to consider your choice. Even if you do not support us, we will not coerce you. Just remember to keep this letter's context to yourself during this month.

If there is any chance of failure, you will not be implicated; we will ensure that. I hope you will prioritize your homeland above personal interests when making your choice. Every great cause demands sacrifice.

I am willing to sacrifice everything for our motherland and its people. Will you join me in this sacred journey?

In unity and hope,

Your Future Sultan."

Tilak was astounded after reading this letter. His mind raced, and his breathing became rapid as he contemplated its implications.

This was not an isolated incident; other public figures, including Syed Ahmed Khan, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, Raja Ravi Varma, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, and Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, also received similar letters. Each was taken aback by the contents and began to ponder their choices.

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Introduction of Other Figures:

Syed Ahmed Khan: Educationist, reformer, and founder of Aligarh Muslim University. In 1882, he was a member of the Hunter Education Commission, which reviewed education in India. Khan promoted modern education for Muslims and worked to bridge the gap between British rulers and Indian Muslims.

Bankim Chandra Chatterjee: A Bengali writer and nationalist, known for his contributions to literature, including the famous patriotic song "Vande Mataram." His novel Anandamath (1882) is considered a major work of Indian literature and inspired the nationalist movement.

Raja Ravi Varma: An Indian painter renowned for his works that combined European techniques with Indian subjects, significantly influencing Indian art in the late 19th century.

Gopal Krishna Gokhale: A social reformer and future leader of the Indian National Congress. Although he was not yet at his political peak in 1882, he would soon become a key figure advocating for moderate reform and self-governance.

Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar: A social reformer and educator known for promoting women's education and advocating for the Hindu Widow Remarriage Act (1856). In the 1880s, Vidyasagar continued his activism, focusing on education and social reforms.

Bal Gangadhar Tilak: A nationalist leader and social reformer, gaining prominence in the 1880s for his work in education and advocacy for Indian self-rule. He later became a significant leader in the Indian independence movement.

These individuals played pivotal roles in shaping the social, political, and cultural landscape of British India in the late 19th century.