Chapter 16Political Life, 1893–1910 · Attitude towards Violent Revolution

During his stay at Baroda Sri Aurobindo got into touch with men that counted, groups that counted. He went to Bengal “to see what was the hope of revival, what was the political condition of the people, and whether there was the possibility of a real movement”.

It might be added that he had begun a work that was still nameless; and it was in the course of that work that he went to Bengal “to see what was the hope of revival etc.”

* He found that in Bengal “the prevailing mood was apathy and despair”. There was no other go except to bide his time.

It should be added, “and continue his political work behind the scenes in silence. The moment for public work had not yet come.” Once his work was started he continued it until circum-stances made it possible to join in a public movement.

* Even his own intrepid province of Bengal was in no mood to be persuaded by Sri Aurobindo and his gospel of virile nationalism.

It was anything but intrepid at the time; it was the mantra changed the people of the province.

* [He sent some of his friends from Baroda and Bombay to Bengal to prepare for the revolutionary movement.]

It was not any of his friends at Baroda and in Bombay who went to Bengal on his behalf. His first emissary was a young Bengali who had by the help of Sri Aurobindo’s friends in the Baroda Army enlisted as a trooper in a cavalry regiment in spite of the prohibition by the British Government of the enlistment of any