Thread by @dhavalkulkarni

#Netaji #SubhasChandraBose and his #INA launched their struggle against the #British with the help of #Japan in #WorldWarII. But did you know that Indian #nationalists & #revolutionaries had deep ties with #Japan even earlier?
#history #LokmanyaTilak #Maharashtra #IndoJapanties

Indian revolutionaries were eager to go to #Japan and #America to gain knowledge in manufacturing arms and bombs to be used against the British rulers.
#freedommovement #nationaliststruggle

The rise of #Japan as a military and industrial power and the crushing defeat inflicted by it on #Russia in the Russo-Japanese war (1904-5) inspired Indian nationalists. The country was also seen as a counter-weight to the European powers.

Before #WorldWarI, a secret group named Sina Ronin was influential in Japan. Its founder Tōyama Mitsuru supported Indian revolutionaries. A special branch 'Indian Ronin' was launched for the purpose. The British knew that this was being supported by the govt.

Indian nationalists looked at Japan for weapons, scientific &technical know-how, miltary training & asylum. Youngsters went to Japan on the pretext of learning how glass and glass products, soaps and matchsticks were made.

They returned to #India with these skills learnt on the side and taught others how to make bombs.

#VasukakaJoshi, a close associate of #LokmanyaTilak had visited #Japan and also sent his nephew Mahadeorao there. Mahadeorao had brought back casings for bombs. Vasukaka handled Tilak's links with such underground activities.

Krishnaji Dada aka Kedba Kulkarni, a member of the underground, revolutionary #ShivajiClub in #Kolhapur went to #Japan in 1899. He returned to #India later and took up service in the princely state of #Gwalior.

He was also a member of an underground group set up by the yogi and mystic Sheelnath Maharaj in central India. Kulkarni later went to #Kolkata, #Hyderabad and #Benaras. In 1813, the govt ordered his arrest and he was nabbed in 1919 and sentenced for 7 years.

Govind Narayan Potdar, who hailed from the princely state of #Akkalkot in #Maharashtra also went to #Japan to learn glass making. He learnt bomb making there. Potdar returned to India in 1907 and started a factory at #Mahim in #Mumbai.

K.D. Bhagwat, another member of the #ShivajiClub was taken to Potdar by his colleague Krishnaji Damodar Limaye to learn bomb making. Bhagwat imbibed these skills.

Revolutionary Vishnu Ganesh Pingle was working at Potdar's factory before going abroad. Potdar may have taught bomb making to others. The revolutionary Pandurang Sadashiv Khankhoje and Rambau Mandlik, the editor of the 'Vihari' had also gone to Japan.

Sources:
Y.D. Phadke, Visavya Shatakatil Maharashtra-I
Y.D. Phadke, Lokmanya Tilak aani Krantikarak