Modern Indian History (Mains: General Studies-I) | News context: the June 2026 dispute over renaming the university; the later position stated separately. | Published: 23 October 2026

Why in the News

In June 2026, the executive council of Bhopal's Barkatullah University passed a proposal to change the institution's name. This brought discussion on the contribution of the freedom fighter in whose honour the university had been given this name in 1988. Maulana Barkatullah Bhopali had worked against British rule from outside India through writing, organisation and international contacts.

Do not take the proposal as a final decision: A later report of 26 June said the renaming initiative would not be taken forward. According to a 20 July report, the state government told the assembly that no decision to change the name had been taken. So it would be wrong to describe the June proposal as an enforced name change. These are reports of that time, not a claim of any fresh decision in October.

Who Was Barkatullah?

Barkatullah was born on 7 July 1854 in Bhopal. He was a scholar, teacher, journalist and revolutionary. His field of work was not limited to any one country. In countries such as Britain, Japan, America, Germany and Afghanistan, he built contacts in favour of India's independence.

His story brings forward the side of the freedom movement that was active beyond India's borders. Organisations of expatriate Indians, newspapers and magazines published abroad, and efforts to win support from other countries were also part of the strategy to challenge British rule.

The Connection with the Ghadar Movement

Barkatullah was among the leading revolutionaries associated with the Ghadar movement. This movement of expatriate Indians aimed to free India from British rule. Along with writing and organisation, it adopted the path of armed resistance.

Connecting Indians living abroad was important, because they had opportunities to travel, raise funds and carry the message to different countries. At the same time, distance, surveillance and the political interests of different countries were also the limits of their activities. Getting support abroad did not by itself give the capacity to change power in India.

The Provisional Government of Kabul

During the First World War, in 1915, a provisional government-in-exile of India was formed in Kabul. Raja Mahendra Pratap was its president and Barkatullah its prime minister. Ubaidullah Sindhi was also associated with this initiative.

What is a government-in-exile? It is a political organisation that claims to represent its country while staying outside it. It does not always hold real control over its country's land or administration. The Kabul initiative was an attempt at a political expression of Indian independence outside British rule and at gathering foreign support.

This office should not be equated with the constitutional office of Prime Minister of independent India. Calling Barkatullah 'the first Prime Minister of independent India' without context creates confusion. The correct context is the provisional government-in-exile seated at Kabul in 1915, not the Indian system of governance formed after 1947.

What Opportunity Did the World War Give?

Britain was busy with the world war at that time. Indian revolutionaries tried to obtain help from countries opposed to Britain and from other political powers. Barkatullah worked in this very field of international contacts and met Lenin in 1919 as well.

But it was not necessary for the revolutionaries and the foreign governments to have the same goals. For the Indians, independence was the main goal; the foreign powers looked at their own war and diplomatic interests. This is why the possibility of foreign help and the risk of dependence on any foreign government should be understood separately.

The Idea of a Shared Nationalism

Barkatullah considered Hindu-Muslim unity an important condition of the freedom struggle. This idea is visible in his letters and political collaborations. Working with Raja Mahendra Pratap and other companions was an example of this shared effort.

Limiting his nationalism only to his religious identity reduces his wider political work. For him, opposing colonial rule was also a question of connecting different communities to a shared goal.

Journalism and the Expatriate Network

Barkatullah used speeches, writings and periodicals as instruments of political awakening. Material published abroad carried ideas to India and the expatriate communities. British rule kept such activities under surveillance and imposed bans.

This makes clear that the freedom movement is not only the history of public demonstrations held in India. It is also a history of ideas, journeys, correspondence and organisations. The contribution of people who adopted different strategies should be understood in their own time and circumstances.

Legacy and Public Memory

Barkatullah died on 20 September 1927 in America. He could not see India become independent. He was buried in Sacramento. The Bhopal university was named Barkatullah University in 1988 in his honour.

The names of public institutions are one way of remembering history, but a person's legacy is not limited to a name. The preservation of records, research, teaching and a simple presentation of local history are also necessary. If a name change is discussed, it should be on the basis of historical evidence, legal process and dialogue with the communities concerned. This is a general analytical criterion, not support for any side's political claim.

Mains Style: Practice Question

Assess the contribution of expatriate Indians to India's freedom struggle. With reference to Maulana Barkatullah's role, explain the opportunities and the limits of obtaining foreign support. (150 words, 10 marks)

Answer Outline

Introduction: Indians active abroad broadened the Indian freedom movement through ideas, organisation and political contacts. Barkatullah is a leading example of this international side.

Main Body: Through journalism and the Ghadar movement he connected expatriate communities. As prime minister of the provisional government-in-exile at Kabul in 1915, he presented the political demand for Indian independence abroad. The idea of communal unity was important in his collaborations. The world war gave opportunities for contact with countries opposed to Britain. Still, foreign powers had their own interests and the exiled organisation had no control over India's administration. So international support could not become a substitute for a domestic mass base and political capacity.

Conclusion: Expatriate efforts gave the demand for independence a global voice. While understanding their importance, both the achievements and the strategic limits should be seen.

Sources and Limits

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