Mantra of India’s Nationalism

Vande Mataram holds a sacred place in the tapestry of India’s freedom movement. First written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay on November 7, 1875, and published as a standalone composition in the literary magazine Banga Darshan, it eventually grew into a timeless symbol of unity, sacrifice, and patriotism.

Significantly, the initial musical composition was set by Rabindranath Tagore, who sang it publicly at the 1896 Calcutta session of the Indian National Congress. Over time, the hymn transcended literature to become an integral part of India’s cultural, civilisational, and political history.

Literary Context and Vision

Bankim Chandra later incorporated the song into his famous 1882 novel, Anandamath, which depicted a revolt of sanyasis against foreign oppression. In the novel, the protagonists dedicate themselves to the liberation of the motherland, personified as a divine mother figure.

As a civil servant, Bankim Chandra witnessed firsthand the hardships and economic distress faced by the people under colonial rule. Channelling this experience through his literary work, Sri Aurobindo later described Bankim’s vision of the motherland not merely as a geographic entity, but as an empowering spiritual force:

“The Mother of his vision held

trenchant steel in her twice seventy

million hands and not the bowl of the mendicant.”

Early Discussions and the 1937 Consensus

As Vande Mataram gained widespread currency, it sparked varied discussions regarding its linguistic style and religious symbolism:

* Linguistic Style: Bankim’s contemporary and close friend, Nabin Chandra Sen, initially questioned the blending of Sanskrit and Bengali phrasing within the same composition.

* Symbolism and Inclusivity: Some Muslim groups expressed reservations about the song’s later stanzas, which drew heavily on Hindu deity imagery, arguing that singing them conflicted with monotheistic Islamic principles.

To address these concerns and maintain national unity during the freedom struggle, the Indian National Congress—following consultation with Rabindranath Tagore—passed a resolution in 1937. It adopted only the first two stanzas as the official National Song. These initial stanzas focused purely on the natural beauty, fertility, and majesty of the motherland, rendering them universally inclusive across all communities.

The Rallying Cry of the Freedom Struggle

Despite varied perspectives, Vande Mataram rapidly became, in the words of historian Sabyasachi Bhattacharya, the undisputed “rallying cry” of Indian nationalism. It emotionally united people across lines of caste, regional language, and social background.

* In Print and Media: Lala Lajpat Rai launched a nationalist newspaper titled Vande Mataram from Lahore. In 1905, Hiralal Sen directed India’s first political short film, which concluded with the chant of Vande Mataram.

* Grassroots Mobilisation: The founding of the Vande Mataram Sampradaya in Calcutta (October 1905) popularised weekly Prabhat Pheris (morning processions). During the anti-partition movement in Barisal (1906), over ten thousand citizens marched through the streets carrying Vande Mataram banners.

* The Nationalist Press: Bipin Chandra Pal and Sri Aurobindo launched the English daily Vande Mataram, giving a powerful voice to the radical wing of the independence movement.

Colonial Suppression and Nationwide Resonance

Alarmed by the song’s power to mobilise the masses, British authorities attempted to ban its public recitation in schools and colleges, imposing heavy fines and threatening institutions with de-recognition. However, repressive measures only served to deepen its popular appeal.

* Maharashtra & Karnataka (1906–1908): Mass gatherings in Dhulia and Belgaum defied public bans. When Lokmanya Tilak was sentenced to imprisonment in Mandalay, public crowds gathered in Bombay and voiced their solidarity through chants of Vande Mataram.

* Punjab (1907): In Lahore, youth marches echoed the slogan to protest the arrest of Swadeshi leaders in Rawalpindi.

* Tamil Nadu (1908): During the historic Coral Mills strike in Tuticorin, organised in solidarity with V.O. Chidambaram Pillai’s Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company, striking workers marched late into the night chanting Vande Mataram.

International Reach

The spirit of Vande Mataram resonated far beyond the borders of undivided India.

* Europe: In 1907, Madam Bhikaiji Cama unfurled the first Indian national flag at the International Socialist Conference in Stuttgart, Germany, featuring the words Vande Mataram emblazoned across the central band.

* Revolutionary Movements: Patriots like Madan Lal Dhingra carried the slogan to the gallows in London in 1909. A revolutionary journal under the name Vande Mataram was published by Indian expatriates in Paris.

* South Africa (1912): When Gopal Krishna Gokhale visited Cape Town to advocate for the rights of Indian settlers, he was warmly welcomed by a massive procession singing the anthem.

Constitutional Recognition

Following India’s independence, the historic role of the song was formally enshrined in the nation’s democratic framework.

On January 24, 1950, Dr Rajendra Prasad, presiding over the final session of the Constituent Assembly, declared:

“The composition consisting of the words and music known as Jana Gana Mana is the National Anthem of India... and the song Vande Mataram, which has played a historic part in the struggle for Indian freedom, shall be honoured equally with Jana Gana Mana and have equal status with it.”

In subsequent rulings, the Supreme Court of India reaffirmed the historic dignity of Vande Mataram, encouraging citizens to treat the National Song with the utmost respect while balancing freedom of conscience.

Conclusion

Throughout its 150-year journey, Vande Mataram has evolved from a literary piece into a monumental emblem of civic devotion. As modern society navigates the challenges of hyper-individualism and global change, the timeless message of Vande Mataram continues to inspire civic duty, unity, and love for the nation.

Views expressed are personal. Felix Raj is the Vice Chancellor, Prabhat Kumar Datta is an Adjunct Professor, both at St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata