Shyamji Krishna Varma

Syllabus: General Studies Paper 1

The Prime Minister has paid tributes to Shyamji Krishna Varma on his Jayanti. 

About: 

Shyamji Krishna Varma (1857 – 1930) was an Indian freedom fighter, lawyer and journalist.

• Born in 1857 in modern-day Gujarat, Shyamji Krishna Varma completed his education in India, before moving on to teach Sanskrit at the Oxford University.

• Indian Home Rule Society (IHRS): It was an Indian organisation founded in London in 1905 that sought to promote the cause of self-rule in British India. The organisation was founded by Shyamji Krishna Varma, with support from Bhikaji Cama, Dadabhai Naoroji and S.R. Rana.
• India House: He founded India House in London. It was a student residence that existed between 1905 and 1910 which was opened to promote nationalist views among Indian students in Britain.
• Indian Sociologist: He founded Indian Sociologist in London. The monthly Indian Sociologist became an outlet for nationalist ideas.
• Varma became the first President of Bombay Arya Samaj.
• He was an admirer of Dayanand Saraswati, and he inspired Veer Savarkar who was a member of India House in London.
• Varma also served as the Divan of a number of states in India.
• A memorial called Kranti Teerth dedicated to him was inaugurated in 2010 near Mandvi, Kutch, Gujarat.