====== Bhagat Singh (1907-1931) ======

**Bhagat Singh** was one of the most influential revolutionary freedom fighters of India, known for his courage, intellect, and sacrifice for the independence movement.

===== Personal Life =====

  * **Born**: September 28, 1907, Banga, Punjab (now in Pakistan)
  * **Died**: March 23, 1931 (aged 23), Lahore Central Jail
  * **Family**: Sikh family with strong patriotic background
  * **Father**: Kishan Singh (involved in Ghadar movement)
  * **Uncle**: Ajit Singh (revolutionary)

===== Early Life and Influences =====

==== Childhood Influences ====

  * **Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919)** - Deeply impacted him at age 12
  * **Family environment** - Patriotic atmosphere at home
  * **Kartar Singh Sarabha** - His role model and inspiration

==== Education and Reading ====

  * **D.A.V. High School**, Lahore
  * **National College**, Lahore (left to join freedom struggle)
  * **Voracious reader** - European revolutionary literature
  * **Languages**: Punjabi, Urdu, English, Hindi

===== Revolutionary Activities =====

==== Early Involvement ====

  * **1921**: Participated in Non-Cooperation Movement (age 14)
  * **1923**: Joined **Naujawan Bharat Sabha**
  * **1926**: Founded **Naujawan Bharat Sabha** in Lahore

==== Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) ====

  * **Co-founded HSRA** with Chandrashekhar Azad and others
  * **Objective**: Complete independence through revolutionary means
  * **Philosophy**: Atheist, socialist, and secular ideology

===== Major Operations =====

==== Lala Lajpat Rai's Death Revenge (1928) ====

**Background**:
  * **October 30, 1928**: Lala Lajpat Rai died after police beating during Simon Commission protest
  * **Vow**: To avenge his death

**The Plan**:
  * **Target**: British police officer James A. Scott (responsible for beating)
  * **Mistake**: Shot John Saunders instead of Scott
  * **Date**: December 17, 1928
  * **Associates**: Rajguru, Sukhdev, Chandrashekhar Azad

==== Central Legislative Assembly Bombing (1929) ====

**Objective**:
  * **Protest** against **Trade Disputes Bill** and **Public Safety Bill**
  * **"Make the deaf hear"** - Create awareness about freedom struggle

**The Incident**:
  * **Date**: April 8, 1929
  * **Location**: Central Legislative Assembly, Delhi
  * **Associates**: Batukeshwar Dutt
  * **Action**: Threw non-lethal bombs and pamphlets
  * **Slogan**: "**Inquilab Zindabad**" (Long Live Revolution)

**Aftermath**:
  * **Voluntarily surrendered** instead of escaping
  * **Strategy**: Use trial as platform for revolutionary propaganda

===== Trial and Prison Life =====

==== Court Proceedings ====

  * **Defended themselves** in court
  * **Refused to hire lawyers**
  * **Used court as platform** for revolutionary ideas
  * **Long political statements** explaining their ideology

==== Hunger Strike ====

  * **June 1929**: Started hunger strike in prison
  * **Demands**: 
    - Equal treatment for political prisoners
    - Better living conditions
    - Right to read newspapers and books
  * **Duration**: 116 days (Jatin Das died during this strike)

===== Philosophy and Ideology =====

==== Political Beliefs ====

^ Belief ^ Details ^
| **Atheism** | Rejected religious orthodoxy |
| **Socialism** | Believed in economic equality |
| **Secularism** | No place for religion in politics |
| **Internationalism** | Inspired by world revolutions |

==== Famous Writings ====

  * **"Why I am an Atheist"** (1930) - Written in prison
  * **"The Philosophy of the Bomb"** - Justification for revolutionary violence
  * **Prison diary** and letters

==== Famous Quotes ====

  * "**Inquilab Zindabad**" (Long Live Revolution)
  * "**It is easy to kill individuals but you cannot kill the ideas**"
  * "**Revolution is the inalienable right of mankind**"

===== Execution and Martyrdom =====

==== Final Days ====

  * **Verdict**: Death sentence for killing John Saunders
  * **Date of execution**: March 23, 1931
  * **Age**: 23 years
  * **Last wish**: To die for the motherland

==== Execution ====

  * **Location**: Lahore Central Jail
  * **Time**: 7:30 PM (ahead of scheduled time)
  * **Associates executed**: Rajguru and Sukhdev
  * **Last words**: "Inquilab Zindabad"

===== Impact and Legacy =====

==== Immediate Impact ====

  * **Mass outrage** across India
  * **Inspiration** for youth to join freedom struggle
  * **Symbol of sacrifice** and patriotism

==== Long-term Legacy ====

  * **Secular nationalism** ideal
  * **Youth icon** and revolutionary symbol
  * **Alternative path** to Gandhi's non-violence
  * **Socialist ideals** in Indian politics

===== Comparison with Contemporary Movements =====

^ Aspect ^ Bhagat Singh | Gandhi ^
| **Method** | Revolutionary violence | Non-violence |
| **Ideology** | Socialist, atheist | Religious, spiritual |
| **Target group** | Youth, intellectuals | Mass movement |
| **Approach** | Quick action | Long-term struggle |

===== UPSC Relevance =====

  * **Paper**: General Studies Paper I (Modern History)
  * **Topics**: Revolutionary movement, socialism in freedom struggle
  * **Previous Year Questions**:
    - Role of revolutionary movements in freedom struggle (2020)
    - Compare revolutionary and moderate approaches (2019)
    - Youth's role in independence movement (2018)

===== Key Dates =====

  * **1907**: Birth
  * **1919**: Jallianwala Bagh impact (age 12)
  * **1926**: Founded Naujawan Bharat Sabha
  * **1928**: Lajpat Rai's death revenge
  * **1929**: Assembly bombing
  * **1931**: Execution (March 23)

===== Associates and Contemporary Revolutionaries =====

  * **Rajguru** - Fellow martyr, shot Saunders
  * **Sukhdev** - Close friend and fellow martyr
  * **Chandrashekhar Azad** - HSRA leader and mentor
  * **Batukeshwar Dutt** - Assembly bombing partner
  * **Ashfaqullah Khan** - Muslim revolutionary friend

===== Related Topics =====

  * [[indian_history:gandhi|Compare with Gandhi's approach]]
  * [[indian_history:non_cooperation_movement|Contemporary mass movements]]

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//Sources: NCERT Class 12 History, Revolutionary movements in India//