RAM PRASAD BISMIL

1. Context

On his 126th birth anniversary, we remember Ram Prasad Bismil, whose words and actions have inspired generations of Indians.

2. About Ram Prasad Bismil

Ram Prasad Bismil was born on June 11, 1897, in Shahjahanpur district, UP.
Revolutionary activities: He actively fought against British Raj and participated in notable events like the Manupuri Conspiracy of 1918 and the Kakori Train Action of 1925.
Founding of the Hindustan Republican Association: Bismil established the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA, later known as the Hindustan Socialist RA) and played a pivotal role in the organization.
Sacrifice and execution: Bismil was hanged for his revolutionary activities on December 19, 1927, at the age of 30.

3. Early Life and Arya Samaj Connections

Born into a Rajput Tomar family, Ram Prasad Bismil learned Hindi from his father and Urdu from a maulvi who lived nearby.
He also went to an English medium school in Shahjahanpur. His exposure to multiple languages would develop his instincts as a writer and poet at a very early stage in his life.
Furthermore, during his childhood, Arya Samaj was becoming an influential organization in north India.
He joined the Arya Samaj and became a prolific writer and poet, penning patriotic verses in Hindi and Urdu under pen names like ‘Agyat’, ‘Ram’, and the one that is most known-‘Bismil’ (meaning ‘wounded’, ‘restless’).
At the age of only 18, he penned the poem Mera Janm (My Birth), venting out his anger over the death sentence handed out to Arya Samaj missionary Bhai Parmanand.
After graduating from school, Bismil got involved in politics. However, he would soon be disillusioned by the so-called moderate wing of the Congress Party.
Bismil was not willing to “negotiate” or “beg” for his country’s freedom – if the British did not accede, he was willing to take it by force, as one of his most famous poems, Ghulami Mita Do illustrates.
To achieve his ends, he started a revolutionary organization called Matrivedi (The Altar of the Motherland) and joined forces with fellow revolutionary Genda Lal Dixit.
Dixit was well-connected with the dacoits of the state and wanted to utilize them in the armed struggle against the British.
In 1918, Bismil wrote arguably his most famous poem, Mainpuri ki Pratigya, which was distributed across the United Provinces in pamphlets, bringing him the adulation of nationalist locals and notoriety with the British.
That year, in order to collect funds for his fledgling organization, her carried out at least three instances of looting at government offices in the Mainpuri district.
A massive manhunt was launched and Bismil was located. What followed was a dramatic shootout at the end of which Bismil jumped into the Yamuna River and swam underwater to escape.

4. Founding the Hindustan Republican Association

After being underground for several years, Bismil returned to Shahjahanpur in February 1920.
Bismil, along with Ashfaqullah Khan, Sachindra Nath Bakshi, and Jogesh Chandra Chatterjee, founded the Hindustan Republican Association. Later, Chandra Shekhar Azad and Bhagat Singh joined the organization.
Bismil played a significant role in penning the manifesto titled “Krantikari,” which was officially released on January 1, 1925. The manifesto called for an organized and armed revolution to establish a federal Republic of the United States of India.

5. Manipur Conspiracy

Bismil became disillusioned with the moderate wing of the Congress Party and rejected negotiation or appeasement with the British.
Bismil established the revolutionary organization Matrivedi and collaborated with Genda Lal Dixit, who had connections with dacoits and sought to utilize them in the armed struggle.
Bismil’s famous poem, “ Manipuri Ki Pratigya” was widely distributed in pamphlets across the United Provinces. He carried out acts of looting to gather funds for his organization.

6. Kakori Train Conspiracy

The Kakori Train Action aimed to rob a train carrying treasury bags between Shahjahanpur and Lucknow.
On August 9, 1925, around ten revolutionaries, including Bismil and Ashfaqullah Khan, stopped the train at Kakori station, overpowered the guard, and looted the treasury bags containing approximately Rs 4,600.
The action drew both British outrage and mixed responses from the Indian public. The misfiring of a gun resulted in the accidental killing of a passenger, Ahmad Ali, dampening public support. Subsequently, a violent crackdown led to the arrest of most involved, excluding Chandrashekhar Azad.

7. Death and Legacy

After an eighteen-month-long trial, Bismil, Ashfaqullah, and Rajendranath Lahiri were sentenced to death. The sentence was carried out on December 19, 1927. Ram Prasad Bismil was just 30 years old when he died.
Bismil’s poetry continues to inspire and his call for Hindu-Muslim unity serves as a symbol of communal harmony. He is remembered for his revolutionary spirit and deep concern for society, justice, and equality.
Today, Ram Prasad Bismil has also become a symbol of communal harmony due to
his close friendship with fellow revolutionary poet Ashfaqullah Khan. In his last
letter, written just before his hanging, Bismil made an enduring call for Hindu-Muslim unity in the service of the nation.

For Prelims: Ram Prasad Bismil, Arya Samaj, Hindustan Republican Association (HRA), Manipur Conspiracy, Kakori Train Conspiracy, Matrivedi (The Altar of the Motherland), Chandrashekhar Azad, Ashfaqullah, and Rajendranath Lahiri.

Source: The Indian Express

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