Yashwantrao Chavan - Early Life

Early Life

Yashwantrao Chavan was born in a family on 12 March 1913 in the village of Devrashtre in Satara District (now in Sangli District) of Maharashtra, India. He lost his father in his early childhood and was brought up by his uncle and mother. His mother taught him about self-dependency and patriotism. From his childhood he was fascinated by the freedom struggle of India. Despite the adverse family situation.

Chavan was an active participant in the struggle for independence of India. In 1930, he was fined for his participation in the Non-cooperation Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi.During this period he came in contact with Swami Ramanand Bharti,Dhulappa Bhaurao Navale,Gaurihar(Appasaheb) Sihasane V.S.Page & Govind Kruparam Wani. There friendship lasted forever. In 1932, he was sentenced to 18 months in prison for hoisting the Indian flag in Satara.

Chavan obtained his B.A. in history and political science from Bombay University in 1938. In this period, he was involved in many social activities and was closely associated with the Congress party and its leaders, such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel and Keshavrao Jedhe. In 1940, he became President of Satara District Congress. In 1941 he passed his LLB. In 1942, he married Venutai at Phaltan in Dist Satara.

He was one of the delegates at the Bombay session of the A.I.C.C. in 1942 that gave the call for Quit India and he was subsequently arrested for his participation in the movement. Chavan was finally released from jail in 1944.