Yogendra Vidyabhushan
Encyclopedia
Yogendra Vidyabhushan (Banerjee) (1845–1904) was an Indian Bengali scholar in Sanskrit, thinker, journalist and popular author of biographies which stirred patriotic zeal in the readers’ heart. Loved by Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar, admired by Swami Vivekananda
and Sri Aurobindo
, he helped the rise of militant nationalism.
Yogendra was born at the village Simhat in Ranaghat subdivision
of West Bengal, at his maternal grandfather’s house. Belonging to an orthodox Brahman family, his mother Sonamani (née Chatterjee) was as pious as stern. His father Umesh Chandra Banerjee hailed from the village Suvarnapur in the district of Nadia
. A modest landholder, he was fond of religious studies and meditation. Yogendra’s younger brother Mahendra was to be a prosperous London-bred physician. After the village school, Yogendra went first to the Zilla School at Barishal and, then, at Barasat. Admitted into Reverend Long’s school at Calcutta, he obtained several scholarships. At 13, Yogendra joined the Sanskrit College
of the University of Calcutta
, where he drew the attention of its principal, Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar. Among his classmates were Vijaykrishna Goswami and Shivnath Shastri. In 1872 he and Shivnath passed their M.A. in Sanskrit successfully and both of them received the title of Vidyabhushan.
Yogendra had to face a few sad events before settling as a family man. According to Shivnath’s autobiography, in 1868, encouraged by Vidyasagar, widowed Yogendra had married Mahalakshmi, a widow herself. Victim of an epidemic of cholera, she was to die in 1869. In 1871, Vidyasagar asked him again to marry Malatimala, daughter of late Madanmohan Tarkalamkar, Vidyasagar’s childhood friend and colleague at the Sanskrit College. This union was blessed with three sons and three daughters.
After eight years of career as professor of Sanskrit, in November 1880, Yogendra was appointed Deputy Magistrate and Deputy Collector in several districts. Following the popularity of Bangadarshan
edited by Bankimchandra Chatterjee, in April 1874 Yogendra published his Aryadarshan, to promote "history, science and philosophy, leaving ample scope for poetry, arts and fiction as well." During eleven years this paper inspired the Bengali reading public. Though Yogendra did not take part in active politics, his spirit of independence was a draw-back for promotion in Government service.
Racial prejudice had dismissed Surendranath Banerjee (1848–1925) from Indian Civil Service; in 1875, disappointed with the colonial system of justice, he chose the career of Professor of English, and sought to protect his countrymen from discrimination : he undertook lecture tours all over India, urging young Indians to draw inspiration from lives of Mazzini, Shivaji and the Sikh
Gurus. Sir Henry Cotton was to acknowledge : “At the present moment the name of Surendranath Banerjee excites as much enthusiasm among the rising generation of Multan as in Dacca.” Out of sympathy for this friend, Yogendra undertook to write popular and soul-stirring biographies in Bengali : John Stuart Mill
(1878), Mazzini (1880), William Wallace
(1886), Garibaldi (1890), two series of Veer Pujaa or 'Hero Worship' (1900), including William Tell
, John Hamden, Wilberforce
, John Howard
, George Washington
and several Indian profiles such as Keshub Chunder Sen, Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar, Vijaykrishna Goswami.
Sensitive to the socio-political problems of a New India, Yogendra claimed a liberal education for men and women, advocating equal rights for women. He was among the pioneers to claim Hindi as the national language. He advised students to get involved in the struggle for India’s independence and to dedicate for this purpose all they had. In about 1894, on learning that coloured people of Abyssinia defeated Italy, Yogendra took a long leave and organised groups of young men to celebrate it all over the country. In reply to the appeal of Swami Vivekananda
(1862–1902), he stood against the practice of caste and untouchability. Admiring his patriotic zeal, Swami Vivekananda once wrote on a wall in Yogendra’s drawing-room: "India has to win her freedom by 1925." Flocks of nationalist militants went to contemplate this prediction. His second son Sachin was Captain of the Mohun Bagan football club and was to be a brilliant physician in the army during First World War. Having met Bagha Jatin
(Mukherjee) at the gymnasium of the Guhas, Sachin brought him home and introduced him to Yogendra. In 1900, the latter’s youngest daughter, Sudhamayi, was married to Lalitkumar Chatterjee, Jatin’s maternal uncle and revolutionary colleague.
In September 1902, Yogendra took again one year’s leave from July 1903. At this juncture, in 1903, Sri Aurobindo
stayed with him at his house in Calcutta. Invited by Yogendra, Jatin and Lalit discussed their plans with Sri Aurobindo. This significant meeting led to the formation of the Jugantar
. Yogendra died in June 1904.
Dr Jadugopal Mukherjee
, one of the leading figures of the Jugantar
, says people learnt to love the Motherland from Bankimchandra, from Yogendra Vidyabhushan and from Swami Vivekananda.
Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda , born Narendranath Dutta , was the chief disciple of the 19th century mystic Ramakrishna Paramahansa and the founder of the Ramakrishna Math and the Ramakrishna Mission...
and Sri Aurobindo
Sri Aurobindo
Sri Aurobindo , born Aurobindo Ghosh or Ghose , was an Indian nationalist, freedom fighter, philosopher, yogi, guru, and poet. He joined the Indian movement for freedom from British rule and for a duration became one of its most important leaders, before developing his own vision of human progress...
, he helped the rise of militant nationalism.
Yogendra was born at the village Simhat in Ranaghat subdivision
Ranaghat subdivision
Ranaghat subdivision , is a subdivision of the Nadia district in the state of West Bengal, India. It consists of Shantipur municipality, Ranaghat municipality, Birnagar municipality and four community development blocks: Hanskhali, Shantipur, Ranaghat–I and Ranaghat–II. The four blocks...
of West Bengal, at his maternal grandfather’s house. Belonging to an orthodox Brahman family, his mother Sonamani (née Chatterjee) was as pious as stern. His father Umesh Chandra Banerjee hailed from the village Suvarnapur in the district of Nadia
Nadia District
Nadia district is a district of the state of West Bengal, in the north east of India. It borders with Bangladesh to the east, North 24 Parganas and Hooghly districts to the south, Bardhaman district to the west, and Murshidabad district to the north....
. A modest landholder, he was fond of religious studies and meditation. Yogendra’s younger brother Mahendra was to be a prosperous London-bred physician. After the village school, Yogendra went first to the Zilla School at Barishal and, then, at Barasat. Admitted into Reverend Long’s school at Calcutta, he obtained several scholarships. At 13, Yogendra joined the Sanskrit College
Sanskrit College
Sanskrit College is a specialized state-government administered liberal arts college offering an undergraduate degree in Sanskrit language, Pali language, linguistics, and ancient Indian and world history. It is one of the affiliated colleges of the University of Calcutta. Founded on 1 January...
of the University of Calcutta
University of Calcutta
The University of Calcutta is a public university located in the city of Kolkata , India, founded on 24 January 1857...
, where he drew the attention of its principal, Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar. Among his classmates were Vijaykrishna Goswami and Shivnath Shastri. In 1872 he and Shivnath passed their M.A. in Sanskrit successfully and both of them received the title of Vidyabhushan.
Yogendra had to face a few sad events before settling as a family man. According to Shivnath’s autobiography, in 1868, encouraged by Vidyasagar, widowed Yogendra had married Mahalakshmi, a widow herself. Victim of an epidemic of cholera, she was to die in 1869. In 1871, Vidyasagar asked him again to marry Malatimala, daughter of late Madanmohan Tarkalamkar, Vidyasagar’s childhood friend and colleague at the Sanskrit College. This union was blessed with three sons and three daughters.
After eight years of career as professor of Sanskrit, in November 1880, Yogendra was appointed Deputy Magistrate and Deputy Collector in several districts. Following the popularity of Bangadarshan
Bangadarshan
Bangadarshan was a Bengali literary magazine, founded initially by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay in 1872, and resuscitated in 1901 under the editorship of Rabindranath Tagore...
edited by Bankimchandra Chatterjee, in April 1874 Yogendra published his Aryadarshan, to promote "history, science and philosophy, leaving ample scope for poetry, arts and fiction as well." During eleven years this paper inspired the Bengali reading public. Though Yogendra did not take part in active politics, his spirit of independence was a draw-back for promotion in Government service.
Racial prejudice had dismissed Surendranath Banerjee (1848–1925) from Indian Civil Service; in 1875, disappointed with the colonial system of justice, he chose the career of Professor of English, and sought to protect his countrymen from discrimination : he undertook lecture tours all over India, urging young Indians to draw inspiration from lives of Mazzini, Shivaji and the Sikh
Sikh
A Sikh is a follower of Sikhism. It primarily originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia. The term "Sikh" has its origin in Sanskrit term शिष्य , meaning "disciple, student" or शिक्ष , meaning "instruction"...
Gurus. Sir Henry Cotton was to acknowledge : “At the present moment the name of Surendranath Banerjee excites as much enthusiasm among the rising generation of Multan as in Dacca.” Out of sympathy for this friend, Yogendra undertook to write popular and soul-stirring biographies in Bengali : John Stuart Mill
John Stuart Mill
John Stuart Mill was a British philosopher, economist and civil servant. An influential contributor to social theory, political theory, and political economy, his conception of liberty justified the freedom of the individual in opposition to unlimited state control. He was a proponent of...
(1878), Mazzini (1880), William Wallace
William Wallace
Sir William Wallace was a Scottish knight and landowner who became one of the main leaders during the Wars of Scottish Independence....
(1886), Garibaldi (1890), two series of Veer Pujaa or 'Hero Worship' (1900), including William Tell
William Tell
William Tell is a folk hero of Switzerland. His legend is recorded in a late 15th century Swiss chronicle....
, John Hamden, Wilberforce
Wilberforce
-People:* Ernest Wilberforce , Anglican clergyman and bishop and the son of Samuel Wilberforce* Henry William Wilberforce , the youngest son of William Wilberforce, Catholic convert, journalist and author...
, John Howard
John Howard
John Winston Howard AC, SSI, was the 25th Prime Minister of Australia, from 11 March 1996 to 3 December 2007. He was the second-longest serving Australian Prime Minister after Sir Robert Menzies....
, George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
and several Indian profiles such as Keshub Chunder Sen, Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar, Vijaykrishna Goswami.
Sensitive to the socio-political problems of a New India, Yogendra claimed a liberal education for men and women, advocating equal rights for women. He was among the pioneers to claim Hindi as the national language. He advised students to get involved in the struggle for India’s independence and to dedicate for this purpose all they had. In about 1894, on learning that coloured people of Abyssinia defeated Italy, Yogendra took a long leave and organised groups of young men to celebrate it all over the country. In reply to the appeal of Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda , born Narendranath Dutta , was the chief disciple of the 19th century mystic Ramakrishna Paramahansa and the founder of the Ramakrishna Math and the Ramakrishna Mission...
(1862–1902), he stood against the practice of caste and untouchability. Admiring his patriotic zeal, Swami Vivekananda once wrote on a wall in Yogendra’s drawing-room: "India has to win her freedom by 1925." Flocks of nationalist militants went to contemplate this prediction. His second son Sachin was Captain of the Mohun Bagan football club and was to be a brilliant physician in the army during First World War. Having met Bagha Jatin
Bagha Jatin
Bagha Jatin , born Jatindranath Mukherjee was an Bengali revolutionary philosopher against British rule....
(Mukherjee) at the gymnasium of the Guhas, Sachin brought him home and introduced him to Yogendra. In 1900, the latter’s youngest daughter, Sudhamayi, was married to Lalitkumar Chatterjee, Jatin’s maternal uncle and revolutionary colleague.
In September 1902, Yogendra took again one year’s leave from July 1903. At this juncture, in 1903, Sri Aurobindo
Sri Aurobindo
Sri Aurobindo , born Aurobindo Ghosh or Ghose , was an Indian nationalist, freedom fighter, philosopher, yogi, guru, and poet. He joined the Indian movement for freedom from British rule and for a duration became one of its most important leaders, before developing his own vision of human progress...
stayed with him at his house in Calcutta. Invited by Yogendra, Jatin and Lalit discussed their plans with Sri Aurobindo. This significant meeting led to the formation of the Jugantar
Jugantar
Jugantar or Yugantar was one of the two main secret revolutionary trends operating in Bengal for Indian independence.This association, like Anushilan Samiti started in the guise of suburban fitness club. Several Jugantar members were arrested, hanged, or deported for life to the Cellular Jail in...
. Yogendra died in June 1904.
Dr Jadugopal Mukherjee
Jadugopal Mukherjee
Jadu Gopal Mukherjee was an eminent Bengali Indian revolutionary who, as the successor of Jatindranath Mukherjee or Bagha Jatin, led the Jugantar members to recognise and accept Gandhi’s movement as the culmination of their own aspiration.-Early life:Jadugopal or Jadu was born at Tamluk in the...
, one of the leading figures of the Jugantar
Jugantar
Jugantar or Yugantar was one of the two main secret revolutionary trends operating in Bengal for Indian independence.This association, like Anushilan Samiti started in the guise of suburban fitness club. Several Jugantar members were arrested, hanged, or deported for life to the Cellular Jail in...
, says people learnt to love the Motherland from Bankimchandra, from Yogendra Vidyabhushan and from Swami Vivekananda.
Other sources
- History of the Services of Officers holding Gazetted Appointments under the Government of West Bengal, Calcutta, 1903
- Bharate jatiya andolan, by Prabhatkumar Mukhopadhyaya, Calcutta, 1925
- Sahitya sadhak charitmala No. 31, Calcutta, 1944
- Sadhak biplabi jatindranath by Prithwindra Mukherjee, West Bengal State Book Board, Calcutta, 1990.