several simultaneous attacks against the colonial government nationwide were met with very limited success. He once had a direct engagement with the colonial army in the village of Ghanur, whereafter the government offered a bounty for his capture. Not to be outdone, Phadke in turned offered a bounty for the capture of the Governor of Bombay, announced a reward for the killing of each European, and issued other threats to the government. He then fled to Hyderabad State to recruit Rohilla and Arabs into his organisation. A British Major, Henry William Daniell and Abdul Haque, Police Commissioner to the Nizam of Hyderabad, pursued the fleeing Phadke day and night. The British move to offer a bounty for his capture met with success: someone betrayed Phadke, and he was captured in a temple after a fierce fight at the town of Kaladgi on 20 July 1879 while he was on his way to Pandharpur. From here he was taken to Pune for trial. Ganesh Vasudeo Joshi, also known as Sarvajanik Kaka, defended his case. Phadke and his comrades were housed in the District Sessions court Jail building, near Sangam Bridge, which now happens to be the state C.I.D. Headquarters building. His own diary provided evidence to have him sentenced for life. Phadke was transported to jail at Aden in Yemen, but escaped from the prison by taking the door off from its hinges on 13 February 1883. He was soon recaptured and then went on a hunger strike and died on 17 February 1883. Recognition In 1984, the Indian Postal Service issued a 50 paise stamp in honour of Phadke. A chowk in South Mumbai near Metro Cinema is named in his honour. Vasudev Balwant Phadke, a Marathi movie directed by Gajendra Ahire, was released in December 2007. See also Deccan Riots Krishna Sable References 1845 births 1883 deaths Indian revolutionaries Marathi people People who died on hunger strike Prisoners and detainees of British India Indian independence activists from Maharashtra Indian independence armed struggle activists