In 1879, Vasudev Balwant Phadke, called the 'father of armed rebellion' in India, organised an armed rebellion against the British in:

In 1879, Vasudev Balwant Phadke organised an armed rebellion against British rule in western Maharashtra, in the region around Pune.

About Vasudev Balwant Phadke:

• He was born on 4 November 1845 at Shirdhon, in the Raigad district of Maharashtra.
• He worked as a clerk in the military finance department in Pune.
• He was deeply moved by the poverty and suffering of the people during the famine of 1876-1877 in the Deccan, and by the British government's indifference.
• He was also hurt when he was refused leave to visit his dying mother.

He attended lectures of M. G. Ranade on the economic exploitation of India by the British.

His rebellion:

• He decided that India could be freed only through armed revolt.
• He organised a band of fighters, mainly from the poorer communities of the region.
• They carried out raids on the houses of rich traders and moneylenders, and on government treasuries, to collect money for the rebellion.
• He planned to cut British communications and capture Pune.
• For a time, his group even captured the city of Pune for a few days (1879).

His capture:

• The British offered a large reward for his capture.
• He was captured in July 1879 at a temple in the Kaladgi district (now in Karnataka).
• He was tried and sentenced to transportation for life, and was sent to Aden.
• He tried to escape from the jail in Aden, but was recaptured.
• He died in Aden jail in February 1883, after a hunger strike.

His legacy:

He is called the "father of armed rebellion" in India.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Bengal, Punjab and Madras saw other movements.