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Bhagat Singh

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Bhagat Singh was a prominent Indian anti-colonial revolutionary.

Bhagat Singh in jail,1927
Bhagat Singh in jail,1927

He lived during the era of British rule in India. Singh was a leading member of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association, or HSRA. This group sought to change the political structure of the country. Singh was a charismatic leader who drew inspiration from Bolshevism and anarchism. He used his ideas to spark militancy among Indian youth in the 1930s. His actions prompted deep reflection within the Indian National Congress. This was the group leading the nonviolent campaign for independence.

Singh was born on 27 September 1907 in Banga.

Bhagat-singh-dramatics-club
Bhagat-singh-dramatics-club

This village was in the Lyallpur district of Punjab. At that time, this region was part of British India. His family was active in progressive politics. His father, Kishan Singh Sandhu, and his uncle, Ajit Singh, participated in political movements. Singh attended the Dayanand Anglo-Vedic School in Lahore. Later, he joined the National College in Lahore. This school was founded by the nationalist leader Lala Lajpat Rai. Singh also worked as an editor for several Urdu and Punjabi newspapers. He often used pseudonyms like Balwant or Ranjit to hide his identity.

In 1928, a major event changed the course of Singh's life. The British government had formed the Simon Commission to report on India. Many Indians boycotted this commission because it lacked Indian members. During a protest in Lahore, Lala Lajpat Rai led a large march. The police responded with a lathi charge, which is a strike using batons. The police superintendent, James Scott, was blamed for ordering this violence. Rai was injured during the attack and died of a heart attack two weeks later. The HSRA vowed to avenge the death of this popular leader.

Singh and his associate, Shivaram Rajguru, planned to kill James Scott. They carried out their plan in Lahore on 17 December 1928. However, they made a mistake regarding the identity of their target. They shot and killed a 21-year-old officer named John P. Saunders instead.

Lahore conspiracy case poster 9th Oct 193o jindal sunam 12x9 copy
Lahore conspiracy case poster 9th Oct 193o jindal sunam 12x9 copy

Rajguru acted as a marksman and fired a single bullet. Singh then fired several more shots at close range. Another associate, Chandra Shekhar Azad, shot a constable named Channan Singh during the escape. The group fled on bicycles to reach safe houses. They used disguises to travel by train and avoid the police.

In April 1929, Singh planned a new way to gain publicity. He wanted to protest the Public Safety Bill and the Trade Dispute Act. These laws were being enacted by the Viceroy using special powers. Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt went to the Central Legislative Assembly in Delhi. They threw two low-intensity homemade bombs into the assembly chamber.

The bombs were thrown near unoccupied benches to avoid killing people. While the smoke filled the room, they threw leaflets from the gallery. They shouted the slogan "Inquilab Zindabad!" which means "Long Live the Revolution." They did not try to escape the scene. Instead, they stayed to be arrested by the authorities.

While in jail, Singh used his trial as a stage for his cause. He and fellow prisoner Jatin Das began a hunger strike. They demanded better prison conditions for Indian prisoners. This strike gained massive attention through Indian-owned newspapers. Sadly, Jatin Das died from starvation in September 1929. Singh was eventually convicted for the deaths of Saunders and Channan Singh. He was sentenced to death and hanged in March 1931. He was only 23 years old at the time of his execution.

The Tribune news report of Sardar Bhagat Singh's execution,1931
The Tribune news report of Sardar Bhagat Singh's execution,1931

After his death, Singh became a powerful symbol for the nation.

BhagatSingh DeathCertificate
BhagatSingh DeathCertificate

Jawaharlal Nehru noted that Singh became a symbol of national honor. He was known as "Shaheed-e-Azam," which means "Great Martyr" in Urdu and Punjabi. His influence reached people across many different political views. He was an atheist and a socialist, yet he was admired by many. Today, his legacy is kept alive through art and literature.

Statues of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev
Statues of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev

Many statues of Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev stand in India today.

The President, Smt. Pratibha Patil honoring the renowned Sculptor, Shri Ram V. Sutar who prepared the statue of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, which is unveiled at Parliament House, in New Delhi on August 15, 2008
The President, Smt. Pratibha Patil honoring the renowned Sculptor, Shri Ram V. Sutar who prepared the statue of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, which is unveiled at Parliament House, in New Delhi on August 15, 2008

He remains a central figure in the history of Indian independence.

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🖼️ Images & Media (10)
File:Bhagat-singh-dramatics-club.jpg
Bhagat-singh-dramatics-club.jpg
File:Bhagat Singh in jail,1927.jpg
Bhagat Singh in jail,1927.jpg
File:Hunger strike poster of Bhagat Singh and Batukeshswar Dutt.jpg
Hunger strike poster of Bhagat Singh and...
File:Lahore conspiracy case poster 9th Oct 193o jindal sunam 12x9 copy.jpg
Lahore conspiracy case poster 9th Oct...
File:BhagatSingh DeathCertificate.jpg
BhagatSingh DeathCertificate.jpg
File:The Tribune news report of Sardar Bhagat Singh's execution,1931.jpg
The Tribune news report of Sardar Bhagat...
File:Shaheed Bhagat Singh. Rewalsar, Himachal Pradesh.jpg
Shaheed Bhagat Singh. Rewalsar, Himachal...
File:The President, Smt. Pratibha Patil honoring the renowned Sculptor, Shri Ram V. Sutar who prepared the statue of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, which is unveiled at Parliament House, in New Delhi on August 15, 2008.jpg
The President, Smt. Pratibha Patil...
File:National Martyrs Memorial Hussainiwala closeup.jpg
National Martyrs Memorial Hussainiwala closeup.jpg
File:Statues of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev.jpg
Statues of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev.jpg
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