Azaadi Ke Diwane

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 PATRIOTIC TOURISM - Day 2 & 3 Delhi





We reached Delhi around 11:30 the next morning, by the time we checked into our hotel and got ready it was late afternoon. We chose to hang out in Connaught Place. We bought a vintage typewriter and the last available copy of historian Vikram Sampath's book on Veer Savarkar. Walked around enjoying a kulfi from Mother Dairy and took a rick back to the hotel late evening.

      The next morning we got ready to visit the Red Fort. Apart from the wonderful history of the fort and it's architecture we were thrilled to visit the recently set up museums. About four two-storeyed blocks built by the colonisers for official purposes are now converted as musueums, 

First one called Azaadi ke Diwaane - about freedom fighters

I came to know of many lesser known freedom fighters from all walks of life. Their stories were awe-inspiring and heart wrenching at the same time. Grateful for their sacrifice 🙏🏼






The second one dedicated to Netaji Subash Chandra Bose and the Indian National Army.

    Formidable personality Netaji, he put his riches and education to good use. Gathered a large army; his Rani Jhansi Regiment consisted entirely of women.

   I didn't know, before this, that he was the first Prime Minister of undivided India. One politician who wanted to become the PM himself couldn't digest it and arranged for a re-election; the party members chose Netaji again. So, the said politician sought the help of another to oust Bose. 

    The trials of the Indian National Army was another sad story . May those brave selfless souls ascend higher.










What I found interesting was, the involvement of sadhus and spiritual leaders in the freedom movement. Subash Chandra Bose was infact inspired and influenced by his childhood encounters with Swami Vivekananda etc. 

   Abonindranath Tagore, artist cousin of Rabindranath Tagore, painted Bharat Mata holding crops (food), cloth(ing), palm leaf inscription(education)and sacred rosary( japa mala) - Shiksha, Diksha, Ann & Vastra, placing equal importance on spiritual aadvancement.








     The third block was dedicated to the Jallian Wallah Bagh Massacre and the fourth was about Indian Traditional Textiles (which was closed at the time). It took us the whole to fully explore the place. We went back to the hotel around 6 pm, rested for a while, had sumptuous tibetan food for dinner and took the metro catch our bus to the next and last place.

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