Bharat Mata: From Map to Divine Mother

Year 1905. The British, led by Lord Curzon, had played their favourite trick of divide and rule. Yet again. The Bengal Presidency was divided on religious grounds. Enraged by the decision, throughout Bengal, Indian freedom fighters called for a Swadeshi Movement. People boycotted British institutions and goods, particularly Manchester cloth, which had crippled the Indian textile industry. Streets echoed with the shouts of 'Vande Mataram' even as bonfires were lit with British goods.

(Bonfires of foreign goods during Swadeshi Movement)
Source: Generated using AI

At this time, one idea had captured people's imagination. They stood united in defense of their 'Ma,' the one who nurtured them and provided for all their needs. People carried posters with the picture of 'Banga Mata'—the first depiction of what later became popular as Bharat Mata. The abstract concept of 'nation' had found a form. Bharat was no longer a map with crisscrossing lines but a revered Devi.

Read this blog to discover how Bharat came to be portrayed as the Divine Mother and how this idea is rooted in scriptures and the Vedic way of life.

Highlights of this Blog:

• Abanindranath's Painting: Banga Mata to Bharat Mata
• Many Representations of Bharat Mata
• Idea of Motherland: Western or Indian?

Abanindranath's Painting: Banga Mata to Bharat Mata

The creative mind behind the first illustration of Bharat Mata was artist and writer Abanindranath Tagore, founder of the Bengal School of Art. Abanindranath was inspired by the work of another great Bengali author, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee. Bankim Chandra's historical novel Anand Math narrates the story of a Sannyasi rebellion against the British Empire in late 18th-century Bengal. One song from this novel became truly iconic. Dedicated to the motherland, this song was Vande Mataram. Bankim Chandra imagined the nation as an omnipresent Devi. She lived in the entire landscape: the sparkling streams, bright orchards, cool breeze, and dark green fields. It is not surprising that during the freedom movement, Bengal was the first region to equate motherland with Devi. Shakti worship dominated Bengal, and several forms of the Mother Goddess, such as Kali, Durga, Manasa, and Chandi, were popular.

In one of the verses of Vande Mataram, Bankim Chandra writes,

"For thou art Durga holding her weapons of war,
Kamala at play in the lotuses,
And Speech, the goddess giver of all lore,
To thee I bow."
(Sri Aurobindo's translation of Vande Mataram)

The passionate call of 'Vande Mataram' inspired freedom fighters and artists; Abanindranath Tagore was one of them. In 1905, in response to the partition of Bengal, Abanindranath painted a calm, serene Devi. Draped in a saffron saree, she looked like a Sadhvi (ascetic) and held sheaves of paddy, a white cloth, palm leaves or paper, and a Rudraksh mala in her four hands. Her blessings were basic necessities needed for a good life: food, clothing, knowledge, and spiritual inner strength. With his painting, Abanindranath paid homage to the everyday Bengali woman; people could easily relate to this representation.

(Abanindranath's painting of Bharat Mata)
Source: Wikimedia Commons

A Bengali magazine called Prabasi published the painting under the title 'Matrimurti' (the form of mother). So strong was its appeal that the print became popular among freedom fighters and common folk across the country. Sister Nivedita, an Irish-Indian philosopher, writer, activist, and disciple of Swami Vivekananda, renamed Abanindranath's painting as 'Bharat Mata.' She wrote,

"From beginning to end, the picture is an appeal, in the Indian language, to the Indian heart. It is the first great masterpiece in a new style. I would reprint it, if I could, by tens of thousands, and scatter it broadcast over the land, till there was not a peasant's cottage, or a craftman's hut, between Kedar Nath and Cape Comorin, that had not this presentment of Bharat-Mata somewhere on its walls."

(Nivedita, Sister; Atmaprana, Pravrajika (11 June 2018). The Complete Works of Sister Nivedita – Volume 3. Source: Wikipedia)

Many Representations of Bharat Mata

(Inthiya Magazine cover: April 1907)
Source: https://contrarianworld.blogspot.com/2016/06/bharat-mata-ki-jai-reaction-to.html

Over the next few years, the personification of Bharat as 'mother' gained wide popularity, and various new prints emerged. Tamil poet, activist, and writer Subramania Bharati imagined Bharat Mata as Supreme Shakti. His poems encouraged patriotism, service to the nation, and women's empowerment. In April 1907, the cover page of 'Inthiya' magazine (run by Bharati) depicted a divine lady seated on a rock. Her hand rested on a globe showing an Indian map, and a group of Indians bowed down before her.

(Posters with Bharat Mata superimposed on the Indian map, and as Goddess Durga)
Source: Generated with AI

Later prints showed Bharat Mata set in the foreground of the map of India. Her flowing saree became the geographical territory. Bharat Mata's depiction shifted from that of a Sadhvi to a warrior Goddess. She resembled Ma Durga with a trident and the flag, at times blessing Mahatma Gandhi and other nationalist leaders.

Some scholars and historians argue that the visualisation of Bharat Mata was inspired by similar representations by the West during the 19th century, when the idea of 'nation states' was gaining popularity. For example, Germany was personified as Germania, Italy as Italia, and Britain as Britannia. These were strong female figures who represented the collective identity of these nations. However, were they the only inspiration?

(Germany, personified as Germania)
Source: Wikimedia Commons

Idea of Motherland: Western or Indian?

Ideas travel fast, and the depiction of Mother India on a map may have been influenced by Western iconography. But it would be naive to assume Western thought to be the only source of inspiration. The core idea of honouring the country as a Divine mother was nothing new to Indian civilisation, which revered every nurturing force as 'Ma': rivers, land, cows, flora and fauna. Since Vedic times, the earth has been honoured as 'Bhu Devi' (Earth as Devi form). In Southern India, Bhu Devi is the consort of Lord Vishnu, the Preserver. During his Varaha incarnation (the boar), Lord Vishnu rescued Bhu Devi from the demon Hiranyaksh. In North India, Prithvi (Earth) is closely associated with Ma Sita, who is Bhumija (born of the Earth) herself.

Since ancient times, Indians have worshipped, asked for forgiveness, and offered gratitude to Bhumi before tilling (even the king offered his obeisances and participated in the first tilling) and performing rituals. Even today, the mantra for Prithvi Puja is chanted at the beginning of rituals.

"om prithvi tvaya dhrita loka devi tvam vishnunadhrita |
tvam cha dharaya mam devi pavitram kuru chasanam ||"

This mantra expresses gratitude to Mother Earth (who is supported by Sri Vishnu) for patiently bearing a sadhak's weight and providing a pure and stable asana.

Similarly, the Bhumi Sukta from the Atharv Ved, presents land not as a resource to be mined but as a living, conscious presence to be revered and protected. A popular phrase comes from verse 12 of Bhumi Sukta.

"mata bhumih putro aham pṛthivyah"
(Meaning: Earth is my mother, her son am I.)

Throughout the Suktam, Bhumi (earth) is addressed as a Divine entity who responds to invocations. She "beholds," "knows," "endures," "protects," "purifies," and "bestows blessings."

Sanatan scriptures have a strong tradition of offering gratitude to the motherland. The nation is often referred to as 'Matrabhoomi' and 'Janmabhoomi' in old texts. One of the most celebrated slokas comes from various recensions (later editions) of the Ramayan. In some versions, it is attributed to Sri Ram, and at other times to sage Bharadwaj.

"Janani janmabhūmishcha swargādapi garīyasī"
(Mother and motherland are greater and more revered than even heaven.)

This powerful phrase was adopted by Nepal as their national motto.

It is often argued that there was no sense of an Indian Nation before the arrival of the British. Vedic India was composed of many kingdoms, yet there was a clear sense of a collective civilisational identity. Vishnu Puran refers to Bharat as the region that lies to the north of the ocean and to the south of the Himalayas. It also refers to the people living in the region as 'Bharati.'

Bharat Mata is not just a passionate idea borrowed from the West. Deeply rooted in Indian civilisation, she is the imagination of the Indian masses. As the Divine Mother, she represents more than land or borders—she is the spirit and power of India, symbolising Dharm, culture, and the shared hopes of its people.

This Republic Day, offer your gratitude to Devi Ma as your motherland! Jai Ma Bharati!