Lecture Topic: The Concept of Bharat Mata (Mother India)
Context:
This is the 4th class discussing the Swadeshi Movement era.
Previous classes covered the Partition of Bengal (causes, events, suppression, annulment).
The lecture explores how a unified national identity emerged in diverse India.
Reference Material: NCERT 10th Class History textbook.
Origin and Need for the Concept:
India had immense diversity (religion, caste, culture, language, food).
A need arose for a unifying symbol that everyone could identify with, fostering a sense of collective belonging and nationalism ("We are one nation").
The concept involved personifying the geographical territory of India into a mother figure – Bharat Mata.
Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's Contribution:
He was the first to personify a region (Bengal) as a divine mother figure – Banga Mata (Mother Bengal).
Banga Mata was often associated with goddesses like Kali or Durga.
His famous novel Anandamath (published in 1882 - important year) is based on the Sanyasi Rebellion.
Anandamath contains the hymn Vande Mataram (India's National Song), which was originally a praise to Banga Mata.
Vande Mataram lyrics ("Sujalam, Suphalam") ask the motherland for blessings like water and produce, reflecting the context of famines and needs.
Abanindranath Tagore's Contribution:
During the Swadeshi Movement (1905), Abanindranath Tagore (nephew of Rabindranath Tagore) adapted the concept.
He created the first visual depiction (painting) of Bharat Mata, applying the mother concept to the whole of India.
He is considered the Father of Indian Modern Art.
His portrayal was deliberately secular (Laukik) and depicted Bharat Mata as an ascetic figure (like a Sadhu) wearing saffron robes, emphasizing peace and spirituality over overt religious symbolism.
Symbolism in Abanindranath's Painting:
Four hands holding:
Paddy (Vari): Represents food, agriculture, basic sustenance.
Book: Represents knowledge (Jnanam).
Cloth (Khaddar): Represents clothing, self-reliance (Swadeshi).
Rudraksha Mala: Represents spirituality (Adhyatmikata), intended with a universal appeal.
The message was that Bharat Mata represents all people of India; her symbols signify basic needs and universal values. Tagore intended for people of different faiths to see their own sacred texts or symbols represented (e.g., Quran for Muslims, Bible for Christians).
Other Portrayals:
Later paintings, like those by Raja Ravi Varma, depicted Bharat Mata differently – often more regal, sometimes riding a lion, holding the national flag or weapons, and with clearer Hindu iconography.
Purpose and Impact:
The image of Bharat Mata provided a powerful symbol for national identity.
It helped unite people across different regions and communities.
It served as an inspiration and motivation for people to participate in the freedom struggle, seeing it as a fight for their motherland.
Slogans like "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" became popular rallying cries.
Related Slogans & Concepts:
Inquilab Zindabad (Long Live Revolution): Slogan coined by Maulana Hasrat Mohani, popularized by Bhagat Singh.
Jai Hind (Victory to India): Slogan given by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
Sampoorna Swaraj (Complete Independence): First demanded by Maulana Hasrat Mohani before the INC's official resolution in 1929.
Bharat Mata Temple (Varanasi): Established in the 1930s (inaugurated by Gandhiji). It contains a map of Akhand Bharat (Undivided India) instead of an idol, signifying the geographical entity.
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