Why was Vasudeo Balwant Phadke known in history?

Vasudeo Balwant Phadke is historically significant for leading an armed uprising against British rule in the late 1870s. Often referred to as the "father of the Indian armed revolt," Phadke was a clerk in the British commissariat department who became disillusioned with colonial exploitation [3]. In 1879, he organized the Ramoshi Peasant Force, a band of Ramoshi tribal peasants and other communities in Maharashtra, to launch a violent struggle aimed at overthrowing the British [3]. His strategy involved disrupting communication lines and conducting dacoities to fund his revolutionary activities [3]. Although his movement was suppressed by 1879 and he was eventually deported to Aden, his actions served as a precursor to the militant nationalism later championed by leaders like Tilak [3]. He is recognized as the first non-royal leader to organize a peasant-based armed rebellion against the British after the 1857 revolt [2].

Sources

1. [1] Modern India ,Bipin Chandra, History class XII (NCERT 1982 ed.)[Old NCERT] > Chapter 12: Growth of New India—The Nationalist Movement 1858—1905 > THE INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS > p. 207
2. [3] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 13: First Phase of Revolutionary Activities (1907-1917) > Maharashtra > p. 286
3. [2] https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/know-your-city-vasudev-balwant-phadke-pune-7644141/