Awakening Joseon: The Journey of Jal P. Bapasola and Rustom B. Bhumgara

In 1926, two young men from India, Jal P. Bapasola and Rustom B. Bhumgara, made headlines in Joseon (now Korea) as they completed a remarkable bicycle journey around the world. They began their adventure on October 15, 1923, from Bombay, traversing the Arabian Peninsula and North Africa before reaching southern Italy, then exploring Europe and the UK. After crossing the Atlantic and traveling across the United States, they ventured through the Pacific, arriving in Japan in December 1925. On February 5, 1926, they landed in Busan, and by February 18, they entered the bustling city of Gyeongseong (now Seoul) via the Han River pedestrian bridge, having learned just one phrase in Korean: "Where is Seoul?"

Their journey captured the attention of thousands, leading to a paid lecture at the Central YMCA in Jongno on February 19, 1926, organized by the Chosun Ilbo newspaper. The event was so popular that the entrance was closed to manage the crowd. Guided by the newspaper's president, Lee Sang-jae, the two young men expressed their gratitude to the audience.

During their talk, Bapasola humorously compared themselves to the local youth, saying, "While the Joseon youth travel the world by airplane, we are the Indian youth traveling the world on bicycles." This quip drew laughter from the audience, referencing a popular comic strip in the newspaper.

Bapasola recounted their challenging journey through the Persian desert, where they faced harsh conditions and dangerous wildlife. Their travels covered over 30,000 miles, and they noted that only a fifth of their journey remained before returning to India through Manchuria, Beijing, and Shanghai.

The cold weather in Joseon was a shock to them, as they remarked, "There is no country as cold as Joseon. It is so cold that our hands and feet feel frozen." Despite cycling through the southern and central regions, they struggled against the February chill.

Their arrival sparked editorials in local newspapers, reflecting on the plight of the Indian people under British imperialism and drawing parallels to the colonial situation in Joseon. The Chosun Ilbo noted that both young men supported Gandhi's nonviolent resistance movement, emphasizing the importance of welcoming these distinguished guests.

On February 26, they left Gyeongseong, traveling through Kaesong and arriving in Pyongyang on March 5, where they received a rapturous welcome. A parade featuring a band, cars, and boy scouts accompanied them, with around 5,000 people gathering to celebrate. The evening included performances by local artists, showcasing traditional Korean music and dance.

After heading towards Manchuria, another Indian traveler, Adi B. Hakim, arrived in Busan on March 17, 1926, joining Bapasola and Bhumgara in their journey around Joseon. Hakim, who had traveled with them from India to the United States, also received a warm welcome as they continued their adventure. Together, they are recognized as the first travelers to successfully complete a bicycle journey around the world, later publishing their experiences in a book titled "With Cyclists Around the World."