BHAGAT SINGH
1. Context
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2. Bhagat Singh and Hindustan Socialist Republican Association
Bhagat Singh was a prominent revolutionary and a key figure in the Indian independence movement against British colonial rule during the early 20th century. He is often remembered for his fierce patriotism and commitment to the cause of Indian independence. The Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) was the revolutionary organization to which Bhagat Singh belonged.
Here are some key points about Bhagat Singh and the HSRA:
- Early Life: Bhagat Singh was born on September 28, 1907, in a small village in Punjab, which was then part of British India. He came from a patriotic family, and the injustices he witnessed during his formative years, such as the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919, deeply influenced his political consciousness.
- Involvement in the Independence Movement: Bhagat Singh became actively involved in the struggle for India's independence from a young age. He joined the Non-Cooperation Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi but later became disenchanted with its non-violent approach and shifted towards more radical methods.
- Formation of HSRA: In 1928, Bhagat Singh and his associates, such as Chandrashekhar Azad and Sukhdev Thapar, founded the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA). The HSRA advocated for complete independence from British rule and was committed to using revolutionary means to achieve this goal.
- Protest against Simon Commission: Bhagat Singh and his associates protested against the Simon Commission, which was perceived as an unjust attempt by the British to introduce constitutional reforms without Indian representation. During one such protest in 1928, Lala Lajpat Rai was injured in a police baton charge and later died, leading Bhagat Singh and his associates to plot revenge.
- Assembly Bombing: On April 8, 1929, Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt threw non-lethal smoke bombs in the Central Legislative Assembly in Delhi to protest repressive laws. They did not intend to harm anyone but aimed to draw attention to their cause.
- Arrest and Trial: Bhagat Singh and his associates were arrested following the assembly bombing. During their trial, they used the court as a platform to articulate their revolutionary ideals and demand better treatment for political prisoners. Bhagat Singh and his associates were ultimately sentenced to death for their involvement in the killing of British police officer J.P. Saunders.
- Martyrdom: On March 23, 1931, Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev were executed by hanging in Lahore Central Jail. Their martyrdom galvanized the independence movement and left a lasting legacy of sacrifice for future generations of Indians.
Bhagat Singh and the HSRA remain iconic figures in India's struggle for independence, representing the spirit of fearless resistance against colonial oppression. They continue to inspire generations of Indians in their pursuit of justice and freedom.
3. Bhagat Singh and Naujawan Bharat Sabha
- The Naujawan Bharat Sabha was a revolutionary youth organization founded in 1926 in Lahore, British India. It was established with the aim of mobilizing young Indians to actively participate in the struggle for India's independence.
- Bhagat Singh became a prominent member and leader within the Naujawan Bharat Sabha. His participation in this organization allowed him to collaborate with like-minded revolutionaries who were dedicated to the cause of liberating India from British rule.
- The Naujawan Bharat Sabha advocated for complete independence from British colonial rule and sought to raise awareness about political issues among young Indians. It organized meetings, protests, and gatherings to promote the nationalist cause and expose the injustices of British rule.
- The Naujawan Bharat Sabha collaborated with other revolutionary organizations, including the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA), of which Bhagat Singh was also a member. These collaborations often involved planning and executing acts of resistance against the British.
- The organization played a crucial role in radicalizing and politicizing young Indians, including Bhagat Singh himself. It provided a platform for young revolutionaries to discuss and formulate strategies for challenging British authority.
- Members of the Naujawan Bharat Sabha actively participated in various protests and movements during the late 1920s and early 1930s. They were involved in campaigns against repressive laws and took part in activities aimed at undermining British colonial control.
- The Naujawan Bharat Sabha, along with other revolutionary organizations, left a lasting legacy in the history of India's struggle for independence. Their fearless dedication to the cause and willingness to make sacrifices, as exemplified by Bhagat Singh, continues to inspire generations of Indians.
4. Bhagat Singh-His Ideology
His ideology was deeply rooted in his commitment to achieving India's independence and social justice.
- Bhagat Singh was a staunch advocate of complete independence for India from British colonial rule. He believed that India should be a sovereign nation free from foreign domination. His slogan "Inquilab Zindabad" (Long Live the Revolution) became synonymous with his call for independence.
- Bhagat Singh was influenced by socialist and Marxist ideologies. He saw the struggle for independence as intertwined with the broader struggle against imperialism and capitalism. He believed that political freedom should be accompanied by economic and social justice for the masses.
- Bhagat Singh initially participated in non-violent protests led by Mahatma Gandhi during the Non-Cooperation Movement. However, he later became disillusioned with non-violence as a sole strategy and shifted toward more radical and militant means to achieve independence.
- Bhagat Singh and his associates engaged in acts of resistance against the British colonial authorities to draw attention to their cause. The Central Legislative Assembly bombing in 1929 and the killing of British police officer J.P. Saunders were part of their efforts to awaken the masses and challenge British rule.
- Bhagat Singh believed in the power of martyrdom and was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for his convictions. He famously declared, "They may kill me, but they cannot kill my ideas." His courage in the face of the death penalty inspired generations of Indians.
- Bhagat Singh's vision for India was inclusive and secular. He envisioned a nation where people of all religions and backgrounds could coexist peacefully and have equal rights and opportunities.
- Bhagat Singh believed that the youth had a vital role to play in the struggle for independence. He saw them as the vanguard of change and believed that their energy and passion could bring about a revolution.
- Bhagat Singh was not just a militant; he was also an avid reader and thinker. He believed in the power of ideas and intellectual engagement to bring about change. He wrote extensively on his vision for a free and just India.
- Bhagat Singh's ideology and sacrifice continue to inspire people in India and around the world who are committed to the principles of freedom, justice, and independence.
- Bhagat Singh's ideology was characterized by his unwavering commitment to the cause of India's independence and his belief in the need for social and economic justice alongside political freedom. His legacy as a fearless revolutionary and a champion of these principles endures to this day.
Previous year Question1. Which of the following statements about Bhagat Singh is/are NOT true? (UPSC CAPF 2019).
1. Bhagat Singh was influenced by socialist ideas
2. He was a member of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association
3. Bhagat Singh threw a bomb in the Central Legislative Assembly in 1929 with the objective to kill as many people as possible
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
A. 1 and 3
B. 2 and 3
C. 2 only
D. 3 only
Answer: D
Mains Practice Question
1. Bhagat Singh was considered as one of the most influential revolutionary of Modern India. Throw light on the significance of the thoughts of Bhagat Singh in the present times. (250 Words)
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