Bhagat Singh's place is paramount among Indian freedom fighters. Shaheed Bhagat Singh is one of the greatest personalities of our country, such a brave, courageous, fearless revolutionary who sacrificed his life for the freedom of the country at the age of just 23 years. We are dedicating today's article to Bhagat Singh. In this article, we will discuss Bhagat Singh's biography, death anniversary, and contribution to the freedom movement. Must read the article till the end.
Bhagat Singh Biography
During the freedom struggle in North India, Bhagat Singh was a youth icon for all the youth, who encouraged them to come forward for the country. Bhagat Singh was a fearless youth born in a Sikh family. At a very young age, he started fighting for independence. He guided the revolutionary youth and created a youth class in the freedom struggle who was not afraid of death. Bhagat Singh's entire life is full of stories of struggle and freedom, today's youth also take inspiration from his life and his struggle for freedom. His life is a complete chapter of nationalism.
Life introduction of Bhagat Singh
- Name Bhagat Singh
- Full Name Sardar Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Bhagat Singh
- Born 27 September 1907
- Birthplace Jaranwala Tehsil, Punjab (present-day Pakistan)
- Father's Name Sardar Kishan Singh
- Mother's Name Vidyavati Kaur
- Brothers Ranveer, Kultar, Rajinder, Kulbir, Jagat
- Sisters Prakash Kaur, Amar Kaur, Shakuntala Kaur
- Book 'why am I an atheist'
- Contribution Revolutionary Activities in the Freedom Movement
- Martyred 23 March 1931, Lahore
Birth, family, and early life of Bhagat Singh
7 in Jarwala Tehsil Punjab (now in Pakistan). He was hanged by the British on 23 March 1931 and became a martyr. He was a great freedom fighter and revolutionary of India. Together with Chandrashekhar Azad and other members of the party, he fought the revolutionary activities for the independence of India, the powerful and autocratic British government.
The Jallianwala Bagh massacre, which took place in Amritsar, Punjab on the day of Baisakhi, 13 April 1919, had a deep impact on Bhagat Singh's mind. Bhagat Singh founded the Naujawan Bharat Sabha for the independence of India after leaving his studies at the National College of Lahore.
The murder of Bernie Sanders in Lahore as part of the revolutionary activities and then the bomb blast in Delhi's Central Parliament (Central Assembly) raised the alarm of open rebellion against the colonial government. When he threw a bomb at the Central Assembly, he refused to run away. As a result, the British government hanged him on March 23, 1931, along with his two other companions, Rajguru and Sukhdev.
Why did Bhagat Singh become a revolutionary?
Bhagat Singh was very disappointed when Gandhi did not support the farmers after the Chauri-Chaura massacre (in which 14 policemen were burnt to death) in Gorakhpur in the year 1922 during the non-cooperation movement.
After that, his faith in Gandhi and the principle of non-violence weakened and he came to the conclusion that armed revolution was the only way to achieve freedom. After that he joined the Gadar Dal formed under the leadership of Chandrashekhar Azad.
Kakori incident and Bhagat Singh's reaction – formation of Hindustan Socialist Party
In the Kakori scandal (in which the British treasury was looted by stopping the train), Bhagat Singh was so disturbed by the hanging of 04 revolutionaries including Ram Prasad 'Bismil', and the imprisonment of 16 others that he joined his party Hindustan Republican Association with Chandrashekhar Azad. And gave it a new name 'Hindustan Socialist Republican Association'. The aim of this organization was to prepare young men capable of national service, sacrifice, and suffering.
Sanders' assassination
Bhagat Singh and Rajguru together carried out the assassination of English officer J.P. Saunders who was Assistant Superintendent of Police in Lahore on 17th December, 1928. Revolutionary Chandrashekhar Azad had fully helped him in carrying out this incident.
Bomb incident in Central Assembly
Bhagat Singh, along with fellow revolutionary Batukeshwar Dutt, threw bombs and pamphlets on 8 April 1929 in the Parliament House, the auditorium of the then Central Assembly of British India, located in present-day New Delhi, to wake up the British government. Although the bomb was not intended to kill anyone, the cable was thrown to focus the attention of the British government. After throwing the bomb, both the revolutionaries stood there and were arrested.
Revolutionary Activities - Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev
Bhagat Singh
Bhagat Singh was 12 years old at the time of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre on 13 April 1919. After getting the information about this massacre, 12-year-old Bhagat Singh left the school and reached Jallianwala, twelve miles away on foot. At this time Bhagat Singh was confused about the principle of violence after reading the revolutionary literature which belonged to his uncle.
One had to choose between Gandhi's non-violent movement and the violent actions of the revolutionaries. Although Bhagat Singh had great respect for Gandhi, he was angry because of the sudden termination of the non-cooperation movement. Now instead of Gandhiji's non-violent principle, he thought it appropriate to adopt the path of violent revolution for freedom.
Bhagat Singh started participating in processions and became a member of many revolutionary parties. Chandrashekhar Azad, Sukhdev, and Rajguru were courageous among his prominent revolutionary companions. In the Kakori incident, Bhagat Singh was so disturbed by the death sentences of 4 revolutionaries and imprisonment of 16 others that he merged his party Naujawan Bharat Sabha with the Hindustan Republican Association in 1928 and gave it a new name Hindustan Socialist Republican Association.
Vengeance of Lala Lajpat Rai's death
Simon Commission came to India in 1928, there were boycotts and demonstrations all over India. The British government also lathi-charged the crowd on those who participated in these demonstrations. Lala Lajpat Rai was injured by this lathi charge and he died. It was unbearable for Bhagat Singh. Through a secret plan, he planned the murder of Police Superintendent Scott.
As per the strategy, Bhagat Singh and Rajguru started walking in front of Lahore Kotwali in a busy and unknown posture. On the other hand, Jaigopal sat down with his bicycle as if it had broken down. Both became alert on Gopal's signal. On the other hand, Chandrashekhar Azad was in the role of a guard in carrying out the incident by hiding near the boundary wall of the nearby D.A.L.V. school.
As soon as A.S.P. Saunders arrived at about 4.00 a.m. on 17 December 1928, Rajguru fired a bullet directly into his head and he died there. Filled with anger, Bhagat Singh also made complete arrangements for his death by firing 3-4 bullets. As soon as these two were running away, an Indian soldier Chanan Singh started chasing them. Chandrashekhar Azad warned him that - "If he moves forward, I will shoot him." But he did not stop and Azad shot him and he died there. In this way these people took revenge for the death of Lala Lajpat Rai.
Throwing bombs in the central assembly
Although Bhagat Singh was not in favor of bloodshed, but he was a supporter of leftist ideology, and believed in the principles of Karl Marx and he was promoting the same ideology. Although, he was a staunch socialist. Later, his opponents have been accusing him of tricking the youth in the name of Bhagat Singh by telling him their ideology.
Why the bomb was planned in the Central Assembly
Congress was in power but could not get Bhagat Singh the status of martyr, because they used Bhagat Singh's name to attract the youth towards Congress. Bhagat Singh disliked the capitalists' policy of exploitation towards the workers. At that time, since the British were the surveyors and very few Indian industrialists were able to move forward, it was natural for them to protest against the atrocities of the British towards the workers. It was their group's decision not to let the anti-labour policies be passed in the British Parliament. Everyone wanted that the British should know that Indians have woken up and there is anger in their hearts towards such policies. To do this, he had planned to throw a bomb at the Central Assembly of Delhi.
Bhagat Singh wanted to convey the 'voice' to the ears of the British without any bloodshed. Although initially his companions did not agree, but in the end, the names of Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt were unanimously suggested. As per the schedule, on 8th April 1929, a bomb was thrown at the empty place in the Central Assembly so that no one gets hurt, and the whole hall was filled with smoke. Instead of running away, Bhagat Singh accepted the arrest, even if he was hanged. At that time both of them were wearing khaki shirts and shorts.
After the bomb exploded, he gave a loud slogan "Inquilab-zindabad,Imperialism(Samrajyvad)-Murdabad!" And tossed the leaflets he had brought with him in the air. Shortly thereafter the police arrived and both were arrested.
Bhagat Singh's days in jail
Bhagat Singh spent almost 2 years in jail. During this, he put his thoughts into words and Read many thinkers even while in jail. His articles and letters were written during that time to his relatives reflect his thoughts even today.
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In his writings, Bhagat Singh describes capitalists as his enemies in many ways. He writes that every capitalist who exploits the workers is their enemy, even if he is an Indian. He also wrote an article in English titled 'Why am I an atheist' in jail. While in jail, Bhagat Singh and his comrades went on a hunger strike for 64 days. One of his companions Yatindranath Das died of starvation.
Trial and execution
On August 26, 1930, the court formally convicted him under sections 129, and 302 of the Indian Penal Code and sections 4 and 6F of the Explosive Substances Act and section 120 of the IPC.
On October 7, 1930, the court gave its decision in 68 pages, according to the decision Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru were sentenced to death. With this, Section 144 was imposed in Lahore in anticipation of riots. An unsuccessful appeal was made to the Privy Council for the pardon of Bhagat Singh's death sentence, which was rejected on January 10, 1931.
Thereafter, the then Congress President Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya, with his efforts, filed an appeal for pardon in front of the Viceroy on February 14, 1931, and using the Viceroy's privilege demanded pardon on humanitarian grounds.Gandhiji spoke to the Viceroy on February 17, 1931, to pardon the death sentence, then on February 18, 1931, the general public also appealed to the Viceroy. All these efforts were being made against the wishes of Bhagat Singh because Bhagat Singh did not want an apology.
Day of hanging of Bhagat Singh 23 March 1931
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Finally, that sad day came and on March 23, 1931 at around 7:33 in the evening Bhagat Singh along with Sukhdev and Rajguru were hanged. Before going to the gallows, he was reading Lenin's biography and when he was asked about his last wish, he should be given time to read Lenin's entire biography. It is said that when the jail officials informed him that the time for hanging had come, he said - "Wait! First one revolutionary should meet the other." Then after a minute, the book bounced toward the ceiling and said - "Okay now let's go."
While going to the gallows, all three of them were fearlessly singing merrily -
Mera Rang de Basanti Chola, Mai Rang De Vasanti Chola.
Mera Rang De Basanti Chola. Mera Rang De Basanti Chola.
Fearing the outbreak of hanging riots, the British first cut his dead body into pieces, then filled it in sacks and took it to Ferozepur, where they were secretly burnt by adding kerosene instead of ghee. Seeing the fire burning, the villagers came and the British threw the half-burnt pieces of his dead body into the Sutlej river and ran away. The villagers collected the half-burnt pieces of the martyrs and duly cremated them. And all the revolutionaries including Bhagat Singh became immortal forever.
In response, Indians began to blame the British as well as Gandhi for his death. When Gandhi was going to participate in the Lahore session of the Congress, people on the way welcomed Gandhiji with black flags. Gandhi was also attacked in a few places, but the police walking with him in plain uniform saved him.
Fame and Honor of Bhagat Singh
The news of his death was prominently published by the Daily Tribune of Lahore and the Daily Worker, a newspaper in New York. Even after this, articles on him were published in many Marxist papers, but since there was a ban on the publication of Marxist papers in India in those days, Indian intellectuals did not know about it. His martyrdom was remembered across the country.
In South India, Periyar was famous for his article "Why am I an Atheist?" But wrote an editorial in Tamil in the issue of his weekly paper Kudai Aarasu dated 22-29 March 1931. In this, Bhagat Singh was praised and his martyrdom was seen as a victory over British imperialism.
Even today the people of India and Pakistan see Bhagat Singh as a lover of freedom who devoted his whole life including his youth to the country.
His life inspired many Hindi film characters.
Birth date controversy and why was Bhagat Singh named Bhagat?
The date of birth of Bhagat Singh is a matter of discussion. Mostly his birth is believed to be on 28 September 1907,
But Bhagat Singh was born in Punjab's village Banga, Tehsil Jadanwala, District Lyallpur, on Ashwin Shukla Trayodashi Tithi of Saka Samvat 1964, on a Saturday (accordingly on October 19, 1907 AD) at 9:00 in the morning.
On the day of his birth, the news had reached Banga that Sardar Ajit Singh had gone free and was returning to India. The news also reached home that Sardar Krishna Singh ji has reached Lahore from Nepal and Sardar Suvarna Singh ji was released from jail and reached home on the same day. When Bhagat Singh's grandmother saw the face of her grandson, she also got the good news of her three separated sons.
So he said that the child was born 'Bhaagonwala' (fortunate), which is why the child was later named Bhagat Singh. The same date of birth has been accepted in the introduction titled 'Farishta Bhagat Singh' specially written for 'Abhyudaya' magazine focused on Bhagat Singh soon after his martyrdom on March 23, 1931.
Not only this, the same date of birth has been given in the introduction of Bhagat Singh in the issue of Bhavishya magazine published on 16 April 1931.
Again, in the part of the biography written by Mr. Jitendra Nath Sanyal, a close friend of Bhagat Singh, in the issue of 'Bhavishya', published on June 4, 1931, the birth of Bhagat Singh is believed to be on a Saturday morning in October 1907.
The well-known writer Shri Manmathnath Gupta, who himself was involved in the revolutionary party, has also accepted the above date.
] In this way, according to the facts mentioned by the contemporary persons of Bhagat Singh, his date of birth is proved only on 19 October 1907 AD. Despite this, his date of birth has become popular as 28th September and the scholars working on him are also considering 28th September as his date of birth without any special consideration.
Priceless words of Bhagat Singh
1. Every particle of ash is trembling with my heat, I am so crazy that I am free even in jail.
2. It is not necessary that there should always be struggle in revolution. This is not the path of bombs and pistols.
3. Along with criticizing and opposing the traditional trend, the person who becomes an obstacle in the path of progress will also have to challenge it.
4. I believe that I am ambitious, optimistic, and enthusiastic about life, but I can sacrifice all these according to need, that would be true sacrifice.
5. Non-use of force at any cost is an imaginary ideal and the new movement that has started in the country, the beginning of which we give to Guru Gobind Singh and Shivaji, Kamal Pasha and Raja Khan, Washington and Garibaldi, Lafayette. And Lenin's ideals are followed.
6. A person does an act only when he is certain (justify) the result of his act like we were when we threw a bomb in the assembly.
7. Boldness and independent thought are the two qualities of a revolutionary.
8. I am a human and I care about things that affect humanity.
9. Life goes on by itself... The last journey is completed on the shoulders of others.
10. Lovers, madmen, and poets are on the same plate, that is, they are equal.
11. If the deaf want to hear, he has to raise their voice. When we threw the bomb, we did not intend to kill anyone. We threw bombs at the British government. The British government will have to leave India and become independent.
12. One should not define "revolution". The word has many meanings and connotations that decide its use or misuse.
13. People usually get used to the circumstances and are scared by the mere thought of making changes in them. So we need to replace this feeling with the spirit of revolution.
14. Revolution is the birthright of man, as well as freedom is also the birthright and hard work is what really moves society forward.
15. In non-violence there is the power of self-confidence in which suffering is endured with the hope of victory. But what if this attempt fails? Then we have to combine this spiritual power with physical power (physical strength) so that we are not at the mercy of the tyrannical enemy.
16. They cannot kill ideas by crushing individuals.
17. The sanctity of law can be upheld only so long as it reflects the will of the people.
18. If we get a chance to form the government, no one will get private property.
19. Do you know that the biggest sin in the world is to be poor? Poverty is a curse, it is a punishment.
21. The lover, the crazy and the poet are made of the same stuff.
22. One who stands for development must criticize, distrust, and challenge everything orthodox.
23. Revolution did not necessarily involve doomed struggle. It was not a cult of bombs and pistols.
24. “To reach the ears of the deaf, the sound must be very loud, while throwing the bomb in the Central Assembly, our aim was to reach the ears of the British Government by killing someone.
25. "The word revolution has no definite definition and should not be taken literally, selfish people take different meanings out of it for their own benefit."
26. "I confess that I am full of ambition, hope and attraction towards life and this is the true sacrifice."
27. “When people are used to things, change terrifies them. This fear and passivity have to be converted into revolution.
28. "Bombs and pistols are not of revolution, ideas of revolution are on the sharp edge of the sword."
29. “Ahimsa is supported by the principle of self-force in which suffering is endured in the hope of victory over the enemy, but what if the effort fails? Therefore we need to combine our spiritual strength with material strength (physical strength) so that we are not at the mercy of a tyrannical and cruel enemy.
30. "The sanctity of the law can be maintained only so long as it expresses the will of the people."
31. "A man succeeds in doing something only when he is fully convinced of the propriety of his action as if we were about to throw a bomb in a meeting."
32. "Crushing individuals, they cannot kill ideas."
33. "Ruthless criticism and free thought are two important characteristics of revolutionary thinking."
34. If religion is kept aside, we can all unite on politics. We can live apart in religions.
