In the mid-1870s a light-complexioned and handsomely built man in his 30s could be seen running through the streets of Pune with a thali (plate) and ladle in his hands. Striking the thali with the ladle, he would announce his forthcoming speaking engagement. “All should come to Shaniwar-wada grounds this evening”, he would call. “Our country must be free. The Englishmen must be driven out. The ways and means of doing it, I shall explain in my speech”