Bhai Parmanand
A Commemorative Postage Stamp on ‘Devta Swarup‘ Bhai Parmanand, an Indian nationalist and leader of Hindu Mahasabha, founder member of the Ghadar Party :
Issued by India
Issued on Feb 24, 1979
Issued for : The Posts and Telegraphs Department is privileged to bring out a commemorative stamp in honour of Bhai Parmanand.
Type : Stamp, Postal Used, Information Sheet (Folder) bearing an Adhesive Postage Stamp with First Day Special Cancellation Postmark
Colour : Blue Grey
Denomination : 25 Paise
Overall size : 3.91 X 2.90 cms.
Printing size : 3.55 X 2.54 cms.
Perforation : 13 X 13
Watermark : Unwatermarked paper
Number printed : 30,00,000
Number per issue sheet : 35
Printing process : Photogravure
Designed and Printed at : India Security Press
Name : Bhai Parmanand
Born on Nov 4, 1876 at Karyala, Jhelum District, British India [now in Chakwal District, Punjab, Pakistan]
Died on Dec 8, 1947 at Jalandhar, Punjab, India
About :
- Bhai Parmanand, who was affectionately called “Devata Swarup“, was born in 1876 at Karyala, near Chakwal, District Jhelum (now in Pakistan) and had his early education at Chakwal. He graduated from the D.A.V. College at Lahore. He went to Calcutta for post-graduate studies in History at the Presidency College; but after some time he returned to Lahore and took his M.A. degree in 1902 from the Punjab University. Later on, he joined the staff of the D.A.V. College, Lahore, as a life-member (with a vow to serve at a fixed allowance of Rs. 75/-) and worked as a Lecturer in History and Political Economics for many years. Because of this vow he declined an offer of examinership from Punjab University since it would have raised his remuneration above the limit.
- Bhai Parmanand came under the influence of the Arya Samaj when he was a student; he was particularly attached to two eminent contemporary leaders of the Samaj, Mahatma Hans Raj and Lala Lajpat Rai. His association with the Arya Samaj formed his outlook on social reforms. He became a staunch opponent of the caste-system, and in 1922 he founded a new organisation, ‘Jat Pat Torak Mandal’, for breaking cast-barriers among the Hindus for which he practised what he preached. He believed in the remarriage of widows and stoutly opposed untouchability. He also advocated the use of Hindi as a medium of instruction.
- He travelled to the far-flung countries of Africa as well as North and South America as a Vedic missionary. At Johannesburg, he came in contact with Gandhiji who was so impressed by his nobility and intellect that he kept Bhaiji as his guest for one month.
- He wrote a History of India based on original research which was proscribed by the British Government and he was prosecuted for the same. He was closely associated with Lala Har Dayal whom be reclaimed from the life of a recluse for active social work. Because of his links with him and the Ghadar party he was involved in the Lahore Conspiracy Case and sentenced to be hanged. On the last day the sentence was commuted to transportation for life and he was in Cellular Jail, Port Blair, from 1914 to 1920. He was released after C.F. Andrews and Gandhiji wrote about his failing health and family conditions.
- At the insistence of Gandhiji and Lala Lajpat Rai he became Chancellor of the Qaumi Vidyapeeth, Professor of History and Chairman, Board of Education, in which capacities he served honorarily till the end. Bhagat Singh and others were his students there.
- Apart from possessing the vision of a historian, the scholarship of an educationist and the zeal of a social reformer, Bhai Parmanand was a prolific writer too, and was the author of a score of books in Hindi and Urdu written with the purpose of awakening national consciousness among the people. His contribution in the field of journalism was also of great significance. When he was in England he wrote articles for the Panjabee, the Hitkari, the Hindustan, the Azad, the India, and the lnquilab. In Lahore he started the Akashwani, a Hindi weekly, and the Hindu in Urdu.
- Bhai Parmanand led a simple life; austerity was the key-note of his living. He is also remembered as an eminent leader of Hindu Mahasabha. He pleaded for complete independence of India from foreign domination and fought relentlessly against its partition.
- Bhai Parmanand epitomised sacrifice, selflessness, dedication, tenacity and fearlessness. He died at Jullundur on 8th December, 1947.
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