Bhagat Singh was born on September 28, 1907, in British India (now in Pakistan). From a young age, he was deeply influenced by the nationalist environment around him. During his student years, he came into contact with prominent thinkers and revolutionaries such as Jugal Kishore, Bhai Parmanand, and Jai Chand Vidyalankar, who played a significant role in shaping his ideological outlook.
In 1923, Bhagat Singh left his home for Kanpur, marking the beginning of his active involvement in revolutionary activities. He was well-versed in Hindi, Urdu, and Punjabi and demonstrated remarkable literary skills. His writings were published in journals like Kirti (Amritsar), Akali (Urdu), and Chand, reflecting his intellectual depth and political awareness.
During his time in Kanpur, he adopted the pseudonym “Balwant Singh” and worked in the editorial department of the newspaper Pratap, founded by Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi. As police surveillance intensified, he moved to Aligarh, where he briefly worked as a teacher.
Returned to Lahore and Expanded the Network To Give Boost To Freedom Struggle
After six months, Bhagat Singh returned to Lahore and later moved to Delhi, where he worked with the newspaper Arjun. His journey between cities reflects the fluid and secretive nature of revolutionary activity at the time.
He soon reconnected with Kanpur and established links with several prominent revolutionaries, including Batukeshwar Dutt, Ajay Ghosh, Vijay Kumar Sinha, and Yogesh Chandra Chatterjee.
In 1926, during a Dussehra fair in Lahore, a bomb blast occurred, and Bhagat Singh was arrested despite having no involvement in the incident. The High Court released him on a bail of ₹60,000 due to lack of evidence, and the case was eventually dismissed.
The foundation of a nationwide revolutionary organisation had been laid earlier by leaders such as Sachindra Nath Sanyal, Ram Prasad Bismil, and Yogesh Chandra Chatterjee, who established the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) in 1923.
Bhagat Singh joined this organisation under the alias “Balwant.” However, after the Kakori incident, the organisation weakened significantly, with many leaders imprisoned.
Determined to revive the revolutionary movement, Bhagat Singh, along with Vijay Kumar Sinha and Sukhdev Thapar, reorganised the group. A crucial meeting was held on September 8–9, 1928, at Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi. Representatives from various provinces attended, though Chandrashekhar Azad stayed away for security reasons.
During this meeting, the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) was formed, marking a shift towards a more structured and ideologically driven revolutionary movement.
Discontent with the Indian National Congress
Bhagat Singh’s ideological journey also involved critical engagement with mainstream politics. In December 1928, he attended the Congress session in Calcutta. He was disappointed with what he perceived as a retreat from the demand for complete independence to dominion status.
This shift, according to him, represented a step backwards rather than progress. His critique highlighted the divergence between revolutionary and moderate approaches within the freedom struggle.
Bhagat Singh and Veer Savarkar: Intellectual Interactions
Bhagat Singh shared an intellectual connection with Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. Though Savarkar was under house arrest in Ratnagiri, Bhagat Singh respected his ideas and drew inspiration from his writings, particularly on the 1857 revolt.
Historian Y.D. Phadke noted that Bhagat Singh included multiple references to Savarkar’s works in his prison diary. Among Indian authors, Savarkar was one of the few whose writings appeared more than once in Singh’s notes.
Bhagat Singh also wrote about several revolutionaries such as Madan Lal Dhingra, Ambaprasad, and Sachindra Nath Sanyal. His engagement with literature reflects his deep intellectual grounding and commitment to ideological clarity.
The Trials: Assembly Bomb Case and Saunders Murder Case
Bhagat Singh was tried in two major cases:
1. Central Assembly Bomb Case (1929)
The trial began on May 7, 1929, in Delhi under Judge F.B. Pool. The prosecution was represented by Rai Bahadur Suraj Narayan. Later, in the Sessions Court under Judge Middleton, Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt issued a joint statement, read by Asaf Ali.
They were sentenced to life imprisonment and sent to Mianwali and Multan jails. Appeals in the Lahore High Court were rejected.
2. Saunders Murder Case
On July 10, 1929, Bhagat Singh and his associates were presented before a special magistrate in Lahore Central Jail. The British prosecution was led by Carden Noad, while several Indian lawyers, including Lala Duni Chand and Malik Barkat Ali, provided legal assistance.
A special tribunal was established on June 21, 1930, which ultimately sentenced Bhagat Singh to death.
Legal Developments and Misconceptions
Several legal efforts were made to save Bhagat Singh, including a mercy petition filed before the Privy Council, which was rejected.
There has been a claim that a lawyer named Suraj Narayan was associated with the RSS and played a role in Bhagat Singh’s sentencing. However, historical evidence does not support this assertion:
- Suraj Narayan appeared only in early proceedings as a government lawyer.
- He was not involved in the Sessions Court or tribunal proceedings.
- No credible historical records link him to the RSS.
This clarification is important in understanding the factual accuracy of historical narratives.
Bhagat Singh, along with Shivaram Rajguru and Sukhdev, was imprisoned in Lahore Jail. During this period, the Lahore Congress session was held under Jawaharlal Nehru.
There was widespread public demand for clemency. Leaders like Subhas Chandra Bose, Baba Gurudutt Singh, and others met the revolutionaries.
Bhagat Singh met his family for the last time on March 3, 1931. His legal advisor, Pran Nath Mehta, suggested seeking mercy from the Governor-General, but Bhagat Singh refused.
Despite multiple appeals, the execution proceeded. On March 23, 1931, at 7:33 PM, Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev were hanged.
Philosophical Reflections on Sacrifice
Prominent leader Purushottam Das Tandon wrote in support of Bhagat Singh, reflecting on the age-old debate of violence versus non-violence. He argued that both creation and destruction are inherent in nature, and those responsible for society must sometimes engage in both.
Bhagat Singh’s life represents this philosophical tension—between idealism and action, thought and sacrifice.
The story of Bhagat Singh is not merely one of rebellion but of intellectual courage, ideological conviction, and ultimate sacrifice. His writings, actions, and martyrdom continue to resonate in contemporary India, reminding citizens of the price of freedom.
As India observes Balidan Diwas each year, it is not just a remembrance of a martyrdom but a reaffirmation of values—justice, courage, and unwavering commitment to the nation.
