Bhagat Singh

Bhagat Singh

Bhagat Singh (1907–1931) is perhaps India's best-known and beloved revolutionary. Born into a Sikh family which had earlier been involved in revolutionary activities against the British Raj, as a teenager Bhagat Singh studied European revolutionary movements and was attracted to anarchist and Marxist ideologies. He was involved in several revolutionary organisations and became prominent in the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) in 1928. Seeking revenge for the death of Lala Lajpat Rai, he was involved in the murder of British police officer John Saunders. Soon after, together with Batukeshwar Dutt, he threw two non-lethal bombs and leaflets inside the Central Legislative Assembly. The two men were arrested, as they had planned to be. Held on this charge, he gained widespread national support when he underwent a 116-day fast in jail, demanding rights for Indian political prisoners at par with European prisoners. He was convicted for Saunders' murder and hanged along with two of his comrades. He was 23 at the time of his death. Bhagat Singh's life and sacrifice has passed into legend and folklore, with countless songs, dramas, comic books, and movies being made on him.