Pandurang Sadashiv Khankhoje, an extraordinary individual born on November 7, 1884, in Wardha, Maharashtra, left an indelible mark on history as a revolutionary, scholar, agricultural scientist, and statesman. His legacy extends from the corridors of Indian independence to the fertile fields of Mexico, where he contributed significantly to agricultural advancements.
Early Life and Education of Pandurang Sadashiv Khankhoje
Pandurang Sadashiv Khankhoje was born into a Marathi Deshastha Rigvedi Brahmin family in Wardha. His father worked as a petition writer, a humble profession that supported the family’s modest lifestyle.
Khankhoje’s early education was completed in Wardha, where he developed a strong foundation in primary and middle school. His academic journey continued in Nagpur, inspired by the nationalist fervor of Bal Gangadhar Tilak, one of India’s most prominent freedom fighters.
In the early 1900s, Khankhoje embarked on a voyage that would shape his destiny. Leaving India, he settled in the United States, enrolling at Washington State College (now Washington State University). Here, he graduated in 1913, equipped with knowledge and a burning desire to contribute to India’s independence struggle.
Indian Independence Activities
Khankhoje’s revolutionary activities began around 1908 when he, along with Pandit Kanshi Ram, founded the Indian Independence League in Portland, Oregon. This marked the beginning of his deep involvement with the Indian nationalist movement abroad.
In the years leading up to World War I, Khankhoje emerged as a founding member of the Pacific Coast Hindustan Association and subsequently the Ghadar Party, an organization committed to overthrowing British rule in India.
His collaboration with Lala Har Dayal in 1911 and enrollment in a West Coast military academy were pivotal in his journey as a revolutionary. Khankhoje’s strategic mind and relentless spirit positioned him as one of the Ghadar Party’s most influential members.
Activities During World War I
World War I saw Khankhoje intricately involved in the Hindu–German Conspiracy, a plot to incite a mutiny among Indian soldiers in the British Indian Army.
His efforts took him to Europe and Mesopotamia, where he worked clandestinely, spreading nationalist literature among Indian troops. Disguised in various Muslim guises, he traversed Turkey, Persia, and Baluchistan, spreading Ghadarite propaganda and inciting insurrections.
Pandurang Sadashiv Khankhoje’s revolutionary zeal led him to the Iran-Baluchistan border, where he attempted to raise an insurrection while Mahendra Pratap’s Indo-German expedition sought to ally with Afghan Emir Habibullah Khan against British India.
Towards the war’s end, Pandurang Sadashiv Khankhoje gravitated towards communism, associating with early Indian communists like Virendranath Chattopadhyaya and M. N. Roy. His meeting with Lenin in Moscow in 1921 underscored his growing alignment with communist ideologies.
Academic Career and Contributions to Agriculture
Banned from returning to India due to his revolutionary activities, Pandurang Sadashiv Khankhoje found a new home in Mexico in the 1920s. Here, he became a professor of Botany and Crop Breeding at the National School of Agriculture. His marriage to Jean Alexandrine Sindic, a Belgian woman, in 1936, marked a new chapter in his life, blessed with two daughters.
Pandurang Sadashiv Khankhoje’s contributions to agriculture in Mexico were monumental. Leading the Mexican corn breeding program, he played a crucial role in advancing agricultural practices. His expertise and dedication earned him the position of director of the Mexican Government’s Department of Agriculture. His work left an indelible impact on Mexico’s agricultural landscape, benefiting countless farmers.
Return to India and Later Years
After India’s independence in 1947, Pandurang Sadashiv Khankhoje and his family returned to their homeland. Initially rejected by the Indian government due to the British-imposed ban, his visa application was eventually approved. Settling in Nagpur, Khankhoje embarked on a political career, continuing his lifelong commitment to public service.
Legacy
Pandurang Sadashiv Khankhoje passed away on January 22, 1967, leaving behind a legacy that transcends borders. His life and contributions were honored in August 2022 when Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla unveiled Khankhoje’s statue in Mexico, a testament to his enduring impact.
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