Introduction
Bhagat Singh, one of the most iconic revolutionaries of India’s freedom struggle, continues to live in the hearts of millions as a symbol of courage, intellect, and selfless sacrifice. Born during colonial oppression and raised in a politically charged environment, he chose the path of revolution over comfort, and martyrdom over compromise. Bhagat Singh’s short but powerful life left an indelible mark on India’s fight for independence and inspired generations to stand up against injustice.
Early Life and Family Background
Bhagat Singh was born on 27th September 1907 in Banga village, Lyallpur district, in the Punjab Province of British India (present-day Pakistan). He was born into a Sikh family steeped in nationalist values. His father, Kishan Singh, and uncle, Ajit Singh, were active participants in the freedom movement and had been associated with the Ghadar Party. Bhagat Singh grew up listening to stories of valiant patriots and was deeply influenced by their ideals.
At the time of his birth, his father and uncles were in jail for their revolutionary activities. This very environment shaped his childhood. The nationalist atmosphere at home nurtured in him a sense of pride for his nation and hatred for colonial injustice.
Education and Early Influences
Bhagat Singh was a bright student, deeply interested in history, politics, and literature. He studied at Dayanand Anglo Vedic High School in Lahore, where the teachings of Arya Samaj had a profound impact on him. However, it was the Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919, where hundreds of innocent Indians were killed by British troops, that shocked and enraged the 12-year-old Bhagat Singh. He visited the site the next day and collected a bottle of blood-soaked soil, swearing to avenge the brutal killings.
In college, Bhagat Singh was exposed to revolutionary ideas and socialist literature. He joined the National College in Lahore, founded by Lala Lajpat Rai as an alternative to British-run institutions. Here, he came in contact with other young nationalists and thinkers, including Sukhdev and Bhagwati Charan Vohra. He became fluent in Urdu, Punjabi, English, and Hindi and read extensively—Karl Marx, Lenin, Trotsky, Rousseau, and Indian thinkers like Swami Vivekananda and Bankim Chandra Chatterjee.
From Gandhian to Revolutionary
Initially inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s non-cooperation movement in 1921, Bhagat Singh became disillusioned when Gandhi abruptly called off the movement after the Chauri Chaura incident. He felt that non-violence alone would not shake the foundations of British imperialism. Instead, he began to believe in armed revolution as the only way to achieve true freedom.
He joined the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA), a revolutionary organization founded by Ram Prasad Bismil and Ashfaqulla Khan, which aimed to establish a socialist India through armed struggle.
The Saunders Assassination (1928)
In 1928, the British government appointed the Simon Commission to discuss constitutional reforms in India, but it included no Indian members. This led to widespread protests. During one such protest in Lahore, Lala Lajpat Rai was brutally lathi-charged by the police under the command of Superintendent James A. Scott, and he later died due to his injuries.
Bhagat Singh vowed to avenge his death. Along with Rajguru, Sukhdev, and others, he plotted to kill Scott. However, due to mistaken identity, they assassinated Assistant Superintendent J.P. Saunders instead. After the assassination, Bhagat Singh managed to escape by disguising himself as a Sikh gentleman and even shaved his beard and cut his hair—an act of great personal sacrifice for someone born into a devout Sikh family.
Assembly Bombing and Arrest (1929)
In April 1929, Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt threw non-lethal bombs into the Central Legislative Assembly in Delhi, aiming not to cause harm but to “make the deaf hear.” They deliberately courted arrest to use the trial as a platform to propagate their revolutionary message.
In court, Bhagat Singh delivered bold statements highlighting British exploitation and demanded the rights of Indian workers and peasants. His slogan “Inquilab Zindabad” (Long Live the Revolution) echoed throughout the courtroom and soon became a rallying cry across India.
Life in Jail and Hunger Strike
While imprisoned in Lahore Central Jail, Bhagat Singh launched a hunger strike along with other revolutionaries to protest the inhumane treatment of Indian political prisoners compared to British inmates. Their demands included equality in food standards, clothing, reading materials, and personal hygiene facilities.
The strike lasted 116 days, during which Bhagat Singh continued writing articles and reading socialist literature. His intellect, discipline, and commitment won him the admiration of even his opponents. The hunger strike drew national attention and turned Bhagat Singh into a household name.
Ideological Beliefs
Contrary to the image of a mere bomb-throwing rebel, Bhagat Singh was a deep thinker and a prolific writer. He believed that freedom should not only mean independence from British rule but also social and economic equality for all. He dreamed of a society free from class divisions, religious discrimination, and exploitation.
In his famous essay “Why I Am an Atheist”, written while in prison, Bhagat Singh explained his rejection of religion and reliance on reason and scientific temper. He respected religious freedom but criticized blind faith. He was also a staunch believer in Marxist-Leninist ideology and envisioned a socialist republic of India.
Trial and Execution
Despite widespread protests and support, the British government was determined to make an example of Bhagat Singh and his companions. The Lahore Conspiracy Case trial was conducted under heavy British influence, and Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev were sentenced to death.
On March 23, 1931, the three were secretly executed at Lahore Central Jail. Their bodies were hurriedly cremated near the Sutlej River in Ferozepur. Bhagat Singh was only 23 years old at the time of his martyrdom.
Legacy
Bhagat Singh became a symbol of youthful rebellion and selfless patriotism. His courage, writings, and vision for a just society inspired a generation of Indians to fight against colonialism and social injustice. Even today, his name invokes pride, and his story is told in schools, films, and literature.
Statues, books, and memorials celebrate his legacy, including the Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh Museum in Khatkar Kalan, his ancestral village. His birthday and martyrdom day are commemorated across India, especially in Punjab, with events, marches, and tributes.
His slogans like “Inquilab Zindabad” and “Down with Imperialism” continue to inspire activists and thinkers. Political parties of all ideologies claim his legacy, but few match his level of commitment to justice and equality.
Conclusion
Bhagat Singh’s life was short but meaningful. He sacrificed not just his life, but also comfort, religion, and family for a dream of an independent and just India. More than just a martyr, he was a philosopher-revolutionary who wanted not just political freedom, but a complete transformation of society. In today’s world, his ideals of secularism, equality, justice, and rational thought are more relevant than ever. Bhagat Singh lives on—not just in statues and slogans, but in the spirit of every individual who dares to speak against injustice.
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