Bhai Maharaj Singh

First revolutionary of the Punjab, who organised resistance to British imperialism after the defeat of the Sikh Army, was exiled as State priosoner, died on 5th July, 1856 in Singapore Jail.

Bhai Maharaj Singh was one of the first people of Punjab to launch a freedom movement in Punjab after the British took over Punjab. He organised resistance to British imperialism after the defeat of the Sikh Army, was exiled as State priosoner, died on 5th July, 1856 in Singapore Jail.

He said in 1849: "There will be another National War”.

"Bhai Mahararaj Singh, a Sikh priest of reputed sanctity, and of great influence, the first man who raised the standards of rebellion beyond the confines of Multan in 1848, and the only leader of note who did not lay down his arms to Sir Walter Gilberts at Rawalpindi." said Henry Lawrence, Resident of Lahore

Bhai Maharaj Singh’s plan of action against the superior British was framed in the jungles of the Chumb Valley:

1. To rescue Maharajah Dalip Singh from Lahore Fort.

2. To organize a United Front of all anti-British forces.

3. Organized disruption by subversion and surprise attacks on British treasuries and cantonments.

He displayed superb military generalship and knowledge of tactical warfare. What sustained him was his rich spiritual heritage.

Maharaj Singh led the anti British campaign as a matter of religious duty towards his people. After the First Anglo-Sikh War he moved about the Jalandhar Doab, a British territory and aroused the people against the British. He contacted Dewan Mool Raj, the Nazim of Multan to raise a banner of revolt against the British administration of Lahore Kingdom. He went to Hazara where Sardar Chattar Singh Attariwala was preparing to rebel. Maharaj Singh’s presence there gave a boost to the cause of rebellion. The Bhai ignited, a year long revolt, almost national in intention. He sought to extend it all over northern India by involving in it the Maharaja of Bikaner. Dost Mohammad, the Amir of Afghanistan and Maharaja Gulab Singh of Jammu and Kashmir but could not achieve desired success. Then came the Second Anglo-Sikh War which resulted in the annexation of the Punjab by the British on March 29, 1849.

The annexation of the Punjab by the British slackened the activities of the freedom fighters in the province for a number of reasons. The British Government removed Maharaj Dalip Singh outside Punjab to Missouri in whose name the freedom fighters had fought between 1846-49. Secondly, Rani Jindan escaped to Nepal and could not effectively guide the movement. Lastly, the chiefs of the Punjab who had fought the British in the Second Sikh War were exiled or were put in the prison in the United Provinces.

Maharaj Singh, however did not allow the freedom movement to die out. He chalked out a fresh plan to continue the struggle. He escaped from Rawalpindi to Jammu and from his hide out sent secret emissaries to contact, in particular, the discharged soldiers of the Khalsa Army, the Jagirdars and chiefs who had been dispossessed of their estates of pension by the British authorities and also the holders of religious estates, particularly the Gosains in the Kangra hills, who could help him finance the freedom struggle.

Maharaj Singh sought help from Dost Mohammad, The Amir of Kabul, in Punjab’s struggle for freedom from foreign rule. He wrote to the Amir and his brother Sultan Muhammad Khan for support; but they refused to render him any help. Bhai Maharaj Singh planned to make guerilla type of attacks on the selected British cantonments of Hoshiarpur, Hajipur and possibly Jalandhar. His men looted the government treasury at Bajwara.

Maharaj Singh’s example aroused the disgruntled people. The Attariwala chiefs, Dewan Hakim Rai and the Majithia Sardars were stirred to action though their movements were restricted to their villages by the orders of the British authorities. Faquirs and Brahmans who had helped in carrying message of Rani Jindan and other chiefs during the pre-annexation period started visiting places of ex-rebels, chiefs on one pretext to the other. The British intelligence reported that these people were providing links between Bhai Maharaj Singh and the chiefs who were prepared to rebel against the British in concert with Bhai Sahib.

The Bhai Sahib obtained substantial help from a large number of influential people in the Hoshiarpur district. In November 1849, he completed all arrangements for attacking cantonments in the Jalandhar Doab. In an open congregation at Sham Chaurasi, a village in the Hoshiarpur district he declared the 20th Posh (3rd January, 1850) next as the auspicious date for the general rising. The Bhai was making himself too conspicuous and had to pay the price for it. On December 29, 1849, Vinsittat, the Deputy Commissioner of Jalandhar arrested him along with his 21 unarmed followers near Adampur. Vansttart the Deputy Commissioner of Jalandhar who arrested him, wrote: "The Guru is no ordinary man. He is to the natives what Jesus was to the most zealous of Christians. His miracles were seen by tens of thousands, and are more implicitly believed than those worked by the ancient prophets."

Even more generous was Mcleod, Commissioner of the Doab, who wrote: ".. had he remained at large, but a little longer ... more outrages of an alarming character would have been attempted ... the result of which,… would perhaps be impossible to foretell."

The news of Maharaj Singh’s arrest and his detention in the Jalandhar Civil Jail spread like a wildfire. A large number of Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs of the town gathered outside the jail making the authorities apprehensive lest the people might attempt to get Bhai Sahib released. The District Magistrate immediately got Maharaj Singh and his closest disciple Kharak Singh transferred to the custody of the military authorities.

It was found too risky to put Bhai Maharaj Singh on trial in India and he was deported to Singapore. He arrived on the "Muhmed Shah", on 9th July 1850, together with a disciple, Kharak Singh, and moved to Outram Jail. He was kept in solitary confinement in a cell 14 by 15 feet, which, because of the walling up of the windows, had been "further rendered dark, dinghy and absolutely unhealthy" (Secret Consultation Papers, 28th Feb 1851, #52-57). He was practically blind within three years, developed cancer on his tongue, and had rheumatic swellings and pains in his feet and ankles. The Civil Surgeon, Singapore, recommended that Bhai Maharaj Singh be allowed an occasional walk in the open, but this was turned down by the Government of India. The result was that his health continued to deteriorate, and about two months before his death, his neck and tongue became so swollen that it became very difficult for him to swallow.

Bhai Maharaj Singh died on 5th July 1856. He was cremated on a plot of land outside the prison, presumably by Khurruck Singh, who also died in prison later. Let's remeber and salute him !

Ajit Singh

Sardar Ajit Singh Sandhu (2 February 1881-15 August 1947) was born at village Khatkar Kalan district Jalandhar in in a military family from Punjab in India.

He was the man in the Punjab who resented the high-handedness of the British rule and openly criticized the British government. He was declared a political rebel and had to spend many years of his life in jails or in exile from India.

Sardar Ajit Singh was the uncle of Shahid-i-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh.

He was born at Khatkarkalan village in Nawanshahr District.

He studied at D.A.V. College, Lahore and later on Law College, Barreily.He plunged into the freedom movement and left his law studies. In 1907, he was deported to Mandalay Jail in Burma along with Lala Lajpat Rai. After his release, he escaped to Iran. From there, he traveled to Rome, Geneva, Paris, and Rio de Janeiro.

In 1918, he came in close contact with the Ghadar Party in San Francisco. In 1939, he returned to Europe and later on helped Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in his mission in Italy. In 1946, he came back to India at the invitation of Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru. After spending some time in Delhi, he went to Dalhousie.

He breathed his last on August 15, 1947, after India got its Independence. His last words were, "Thank God, my mission is fulfilled."

A samadhi in his memory is at Panjpula, a popular and scenic picnic spot in Dalh     ousie.

Sham Singh Attariwala

The hero of battle of Sabhrawan . When the commandr-in-chief Teja Singh betrayed and deserted to the British destroying the boat bridge even then Sham Singh launched a vigourous attack and martyred in the battle field.

Sham Singh Attariwala was born in 1790's in the house of well known Sikh farmers in the town of Attari (Few kms from the border of Indian and Pakistan punjab in India) . As a child he was educated in Gurmukhi and Persian. When Ranjit singh became maharaja of Punjab he got himself at his disposal. Ranjit singh knowing his qualities and fighting abilities made him a jathedar of 5000 horsemen. He participated actively in many campaigns, notably like the campaign of Multan, campaign of Kashmir, Campaign of the frontier province.

For a period of 3 years he was made governor of Kashmir by Maharaja Ranjit singh. Later, because he was a trusted aid Maharaja Ranjit singh recalled him to Lahore, the Maharaja likely was balancing the intrigues of thr dogras. It is said that Sham Singh Attari and Maharaja Ranjit singh were good friends. Sham Singh Attari could be called truely, one of the unofficial ministers of Ranjit Singh's court. Later, he educated himself to read and write English. Lord William Bentick's meeting with Maharaja Ranjit Singh at Ropar, on the bank of the Sutlej, in the spring of 1831 October 15 was an occasion of a immpressive ceremony and display. Both sides met on the either side of Satluj with their full forces. Sham Singh Attariwala was in the forefront everywhere.

Kharak Singh was declared the heir apparent of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Kharak Singh's son Nau Nihal Singh was sixteen years old in 1837 when Sham Singh Attariwala proposed the marriage of his daughter to Nau Nihal Singh. With the Maharaja's agreement the marriage was held at Amritsar in the month of April. It was a gala event attended by almost all the rulers of India, as well as those of Kabul, Iran, etc. The two days of festivity and and merriment is still remembered by the people of Amritsar and Lahore. In honour of Nau Nihal Singh's wedding, Ranjit Singh started an Order of Merit which was known as Kaukab-i-Iqbal-i-Punjab (Star of the Prosperity of Punjab). But, it seems, all was not well.

Maharaja Ranjit Singh died two years later, in June 1839. The powerful Dogras from Jammu, Gulab, Dhian and Suchet Singh played a subtle role and put into motion a chain of proceedings which brought about the demolition of Sikh power. At the time of the Sikh ruler's death. Dhian singh was prime minister of Punjab to Maharaja Kharak Singh, Ranjit Singh's eldest son. Gulab Singh and Suchet singh held offices under Dhian Singh Dogra. They were not content with this for they had their eyes on the throne itself and the main object of their grand strategy was to crown Dhian Singh's son, Hira Singh, king of the Punjab. One night, Suchet singh led his men into Maharaja Kharak Singh's chamber and killed his trusted aide and tutor, Chet Singh Bajwa.

Shaheed e Azam Bhagat Singh

Bhagat Singh (September 28, 1907 - March 23, 1931) was an Indian freedom fighter, considered to be one of the most famous revolutionaries of the Indian independence movement. For this reason, he is often referred to as Shaheed Bhagat Singh (the word shaheed means "martyr"). He is also believed by many to be one of the earliest Marxists in India. He was one of the leaders and founders of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA).Born to a family which had earlier been involved in revolutionary activities against the British Raj in India, Bhagat Singh, as a teenager, had studied European revolutionary movements and was attracted to anarchism and communism. He became involved in numerous revolutionary organizations. He quickly rose in the ranks of the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) and became one of its leaders, converting it to the HSRA. Singh gained support when he underwent a 63 day fast in jail, demanding equal rights for Indian and British political prisoners. He was hanged for shooting a police officer in response to the killing of veteran social activist Lala Lajpat Rai. His legacy prompted youth in India to begin fighting for Indian independence and also increased the rise of socialism in India.

Birth: Banga was a village in Layalpura district of Punjab province. A brave man, Sardar Kishan Singh by name, lived there. Vidya vati was his wife. Kishan Singh's family was noted for bravery and love of adventure. Many heroes of his family had fought to free India from the British. Such fighters are called revolutionaries. Kishan Singh too was a revolutionary. His younger brothers, Ajit Singh and Swaran Singh, too, had fought to drive the British out of India. Kishan Singh, Ajit Singh and Swaran Singh had all been sent to prison by the Government.In those days such a revolution hadspread all over the country. People were full of determination to win freedom. It was at such a time that Bhagat Singh was born (on September 28, 1907). He was the third son of Sardar Kishan Singh and Vidyavati. At the same time, Kishan Singh and the Uncle Swaran Singh were freed from the jail. It was learnt that another uncle of his, Ajit Singh, too, would be freed. As he thus brought good fortune to his family the child was named Bhagat Singh. 'Bhagat Singh' means 'the fortunate'.One evening a boy of three was out for a walk with his father. There was also an elderly man with the father. Chatting they walked on and went beyond the village. Green crop delighted the eyes. The elders were walking along the edge of a field. Not hearing the footsteps of the boy, the father looked back. The boy was sitting on the ground and seemed to be planting some thing. The father became curious."What are you doing?" said he."Look, father, I shall grow guns all over the field" was the innocent reply of the boy. His eyes shone with the strong faith that guns would grow in the field. Both the elders were struck with wonder at the little boy's words.The boy was Bhagat Singh who later fought like a hero for India's freedom and sacrificed his life.

A Friend to All: Bhagat was a lovely child. His smile was charming. People used to say that he would become very famous.His mother Vidyavati's life had been full of sorrow right from the beginning. The revolutionary husband would always be away. Always lurking in Vidyavati's mind was the fear that he might at any time be sent to jail. It was a family of fighters for freedom and one or the other would always be in jail. Vidyavati herself had to look after the affairs of the family. At such anxious times, her children were her only comfort. They were intelligent and brave and this made her forget her misery. Bhagat Singh was her favorite.Bhagat Singh was admitted to the primary school. From his childhood he was highly interested in studies. He was ahead of the others in his class. He used to write a beautiful hand. He was the favorite pupil of his teachers. Very much liked by his class- mates, he was their leader. Big boys used to carry Bhagat Singh on their shoulders to the school and back home. His childhood itself indicated that later he would become a leader of revolutionaries.Bhagat Singh easily made friends with one and all. His companions were naturally his friends. But cartmen and coolies, and the very men who swept the streets were his friends.Once clothes had to be stitched Bhagat Singh. The old tailors who stitched clothes delivered them at the house and went away. "Who is that who brought the clothes?" asked mother, Vidyavati."My friend," replied Bhagat Singh."What! Is the tailor, too, your friend?"Vidyavati asked, surprised."Yes, every one in the village is my friend" was Bhagat Singh's reply.Thus the ability to win the hearts of men grew in Bhagat Singh right from his childhood.

The Lion's Cub: Bhagat Singh had two uncles. Of them, Swaran Singh had again been sent to prison by the British. Life in prison was wretched and he fell ill. His health did not improve even after his release and he died. When Ajit Singh came out of the jail, he left the country. Bhagat Singh's aunts would often recall their husbands' misery, and lament over it. Seeing this, BhagatSingh would bravely say, "Don't weep, aunt. When I grow up, I will drive out the British and bring back my uncle. I will take revenge upon the British who are the cause for my uncle's illness." On hearing the heroic words of the little boy, the weeping women would burst into laughter. At least for the moment they would forget their sorrow.When he was in the fourth class, Bhagat Singh asked his classmates, "What do you wish to become when you grow up?" Each boy gave a different answer. "I intend becoming a doctor," said one. Another said, "I will be a government officer." Still another would become a merchant; while another 'would marry'. Bhagat Singh remarked, "is marriage a big achievement? Anybody can marry. On the other hand, I will drive the British out of India."Thus patriotism flowed in his veins from the days of his childhood.By the time he completed his secondary education, Bhagat Singh knew everything about the revolutionaries of his family. He had read all the records about them at home. And the desire to fight for the country's freedom grew strong in him.Bhagat Singh finished his primary education at Banga. Next he went to Lahore to join a secondary school. The patriot Kishan Singh did not want to admit his son to a school run by the followers of the British. So Bhagat Singh continued his studies in a private school.Bhagat Singh was a village boy. His father was afraid he would lag behind in his studies. So he engaged a teacher to teach him at home. But within two days the teacher saw how intelligent the boy was. "What can I teach this boy?He has already learnt everything," said the teacher to Kishan Singh.Bhagat Singh took to his studies with great zeal. His teachers wondered at his intelligence. He scored good marks in subjects like history, geography and arithmetic. But he had a bad score in English - 68 out of 150! It must have been because he had always hated the British! His words in his letter to his grandfather are really interesting: "My score in English is 68 out of 150.A score of 50 is enough for a pass.Thus I have passed with credit." That was how the clever boy stated his low score in a round about manner.

A Spark of Revolution: It was the year 1919. A very tragic event happened in India that year.British soldiers opened fire on a gathering in Jallianwala Bagh, and kept up the fire for quite some time. There was no way of escape for the people. Countless persons -grown-up men, women and little children -fell down dead. Blood flowed like a stream. The event caused terror and anger in the minds of people all over the country. The tragedy drew the attention of the entire world.Bhagat Singh was then twelve years old; his mind was deeply disturbed by this event. The next day he did not return home after the school hours. His people at home waited and waited and grew anxious.Instead of going to school, Bhagat Singh went straight to the place of the tragedy. Somehow managing to push through the police on guard, he went in. He collected a bottle of mud wet with the blood of Indians and returned home. Seeing that he was late, his younger sister said, "Where were you all this time? Mother has been waiting to give you something to eat." But Bhagat Singh was not at all thinking of food. Showing the bottle in his hand, he said, "Look here. This is the blood of ourpeople killed by the British. Salute this."Then he put the bottle in a niche a worshipped it with flowers.The people who had assembled in Jallianwala Bagh carried no weapons. Nor was there a way to escape from the place. And these people were killed by the British bullets! Such were the thoughts working in the mind of Bhagat Singh. The feeling that somehow the British must be driven out of India became firmer." That was the time when the Indian National Congress was fighting for the country's freedom. It awakened the people's love for their country and was uniting the people. Even before entering the ninth class, Bhagat Singh decided to take up this work. He was only thirteen.Bhagat Singh told his father of his decision and asked for his permission. Himself a revolutionary, Kishan Singh willingly gave his consent. Bhagat Singh left the school and joined the movement.At that time, there was a powerful anti- foreign cloth movement in the country. If foreign cloth is bought, other countries are benefited. In order to end this, we have to wear cloth made in our country. Foreign cloth must be burnt - so the leaders taught. Bhagat Singh took part in this movement with zeal. Right from his early days, he used to wear only Khadi. With what zeal he helped the cause of homemade cloth and burnt foreign cloth! Every week he would collect foreign clothes, heap them up and burn them.

The First Step : In 1922, the Congress organized a procession in the town of Chauri chaura in Gorakhpur District. Then some rogues locked up twenty-two policemen together in a house, set fire to the house and burnt them. Before this, similar acts of violence had occurred even in Bombay andMadras. Mahatma Gandhi felt very sad at all this. He asked the people to end the non- cooperation movement which was then going on in the country.That was a great disappointment to young Bhagat Singh, a lad of fifteen. Should an important movement be given up, just because 22 persons died? Before that, a nineteen-year-old revolutionary by name Kartar Singh had been hanged by the British Govemment. Then none of these supporters of nonviolence raised any objection. How could nonviolence become so important now? Such thoughts weakened Bhagat Singh's faith in non - violence and non-cooperation movements. He went on firmly believing that armed revolution was the only practical way of winning freedom.He made a deep study of the lives of the revolutionaries of Ireland, Italy and Russia. The more he read, the deeper grew his belief that war alone could bring freedom. The youth of the land should be inspired to turn to revolution. The very thought of fighting for freedom should thrill the young men. So thinking, Bhagat Singh began to organize the youth.
To continue his studies, Bhagat Singh joined the National College. This college had been started by great patriots like Lala Lajpat Ray. Though he had not been to school for some years, Bhagat Singh had a good knowledge of history and politics. The Principal was astonished and permitted him to join the college straight away.During the day he would listen to the lessons in the class. In the evening he would collect several friends and discuss the coming revolution. This became his daily routine.At college, Bhagat Singh took part in several plays.A teacher who saw him in the leading roles in 'RanaPratap', 'Samrat Chandragupta' and 'Bharata-durdasha' remarked, "This boy will become a great man."

'No Marriage for Me' : Bhagat Singh did not confine himself to the study of books. The more he learnt about revolution, the greater grew his desire to participate in it. Bengal, the home of revolution, caught his attention. He established contact with the revolutionary party of the province. The leader of the party was Sachindranath Sanyal. Every member of the party had to accept one condition. At the call of its leader, he had to be ready to quit home and join him. Bhagat Singh agreed.
Bhagat Singh's grandmother insisted that he should get married. So a girl was chosen. A day was fixed for the formal decision.The day was fast approaching. But just then the leader of the revolution called him. Bhagat Singh left home and went to Lahore. For sometime thereafter, nobody knew where he went.Before leaving home, Bhagat Singh wrote a letter; he said, "The aim of my life is to fight for India's freedom. I don't wish for worldly pleasures. At the time of my Upanayanam (the initiation ceremony among the Hindus), my uncle had taken a sacred promise from me; I promised to sacrifice myself for the sake of the country. Accordingly I am now giving up my own happiness and going out to serve the country."Bhagat Singh reached Kanpur. First he earned his bread there by selling news papers. Then he came to know a revolutionary by name Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi. He got a job in the office of his periodical 'The Pratap'. And he also learnt his first lessons as a revolutionary. Revolutionaries generally change their names so that people may not know them Bhagat Singh became Balawant Singh.At home Bhagat Singh's parents were much worried about their son. His grand- mother, then seriously ill, was very eager to see her grandson. His people searched for him and brought him back.

In The Stream of Revolution : Even at home, Bhagat Singh could not sit idle. At that time the Akali Dal arranged a procession. But in order to prevent it, the District Collector Dil Bagh Singh issued an order: Nobody should supply either food or drink to the members of the Akali Dal.Even at home, Bhagat Singh could not sit idle. At that time the Akali Dal arranged a procession. But in order'-to prevent it, the District Collector Dil Bagh Singh issued an order: Nobody should supply either food or drink to the members of the Akali Dal.The Collector who issued the order belonged to Bhagat Singh's family. But being a government officer, he hated the revolutionaries.Bhagat Singh thought of helping the Akali Dal people visiting his village. Heexplained the situation to the villagers and arranged to supply food secretly to the Akali Dal people at night. Thus a week passed. The Dal's program went on continuously and successfully. Throughout the day, there used to be talks on the country's freedom and the duty of the people. Bhagat Singh also used to speak.The Collector grew angry that the people had helped the Dal against his orders, He issued a warrant to arrest Bhagat Singh. Then Bhagat Singh was only seventeen. So he was a minor and could not be arrested.The Collector grew angrier. "Bhagat Singh may be too young but his brain is not too young!" he grumbled.

Arrest and Release : Bhagat Singh was a fountain of zeal. His village was too small for his activities. He went to Lahore. There a union of revolutionaries by name 'Naujavan Bharat Sabha' was founded. Bhagat Singh became the Secretary.Like the Kranti Dal in Bengal, the new union started teaching lessons of revolution to the people of Punjab. Outwardly its objects were to spread Indian culture, to make the youth strong and so on. But the real purpose was to bring about a revolution for the country's freedom.Within a few days, it started branches in different places. The celebration of the birthdays of revolutionaries became an important part of the program of the union. The members would take out pictures of revolutionaries, decorated with Khadi garlands, in processions. They would cut their fingers and put a mark of blood on the foreheads of the heroes in thepictures. They would lecture about them. It was in these days that Bhagat Singh gained good practice in public speaking. Within a few days he became a good speaker. He got into touch with the students' unions of colleges. He spread the message of revolution everywhere.By this time, Bhaaat Singh had caught the eye of the police. His movements were carefully watched by spies.Once, as he was just leaving the train at Amritsar, the spies followed Bhagat Singh. Trying to escape from them, he began to fun. But where ever he went he could not escape. At last he rushed into a lawyer's house and escaped from the police. Then he traveled to Lahore. When the train reached Lahore, he was caught by the police and pushed into the Lahore Fort Jail.Bhagat Singh did not know why he was arrested. A few days earlier some rogues had thrown a bomb on procession during the Dussara Festival.It killed some people. The police suspected the hand of revolutionaries in it. That was why they arrested Bhagat Singh and pushed him into jail. To find out the secrets of other revolutionaries, they tortured him in many ways. They flogged him with a knot and gored with a spear. But Bhagat Singh did not open his mouth.Finally, a Magistrate decided that Bhagat Singh could be released only on a bail of sixty thousand rupees who would be prepared to bear such a responsibility? Yet, out of sheer affection for Bhagat Singh, two rich persons came forward. They were Duneechand and Daulatram. On their surety, Bhagat Singh was set free.If Bhagat Singh participated inrevolutionary activities during the period of bail, the two wealthy men would have to pay sixty thousand rupees to the Government. Bhagat Singh did not wish that others should be troubled on his account. That was why he decided to keep quiet during the period of bail. At this time his father built a cowshed in his native place, so that Bhagat Singh could run a small diary. Bhagat Singh took up that work in earnest.Every day he got up at four. Then he fed the cows, removed the cowdung and cleaned the shed. Next he milked the cows and sold the milk. It was all systematic, and tidily done. Whatever he undertook Bhagat Singh did a good job.The entire day he was busy with his dairy, but the night brought thoughts ofrevolution. He joined his friends for discussions. At the same time, he got into touch with the newspapers, 'Kirtee' and 'Akalee'. He wrote articles for them. A journal brought out a special issue to honor fighters who had been hanged; Bhagat Singh himself introduced some of the revolutionaries.The Dussara Bomb case involving Bhagat Singh was still going on. ' At last he was released. He was not even on bail. At once Bhagat Singh closed the milk center. He returned to work for the revolution. After attending a meeting of revolutionaries in Delhi in 1928, he never returned home.

Vengeance : In Delhi, Chandrasekhar Azad, a young revolutionary, was introduced to Bhagat Singh. It was as if fire and wind were united. The activities of the revolutionaries gained new strength. Bhagat Singh removed his beard and had a closer crop, so that the police might not recognize him. All these days he had been a hero of the Sikhs; he now became a national hero.There was a revolutionary party called the 'Hindustan Prajatantra Sangha' (The Indian Republic Party). The name was changed to 'Hindustan Samajvadi Prajatantra Sangha' (The Indian Socialist Republican Party). Its aim was to establish a republic in India by means of an armed revolution.When a bomb is thrown to the ground, it explodes causing a deafening sound, and destroys everything near-by. The revolutionaries needed any number of bombs to drive out the British. But where could they get them? Bhagat Singh went to Calcutta to learn to make bombs. There he bought as many bombs as he needed. He also learnt from Jatindranath Das, a revolutionary, how to make bombs.The revolutionaries set up a factory secretly at Agra to make bombs. But how could they get the money they needed? Sometimes for three days together they lived only on a cup of tea. They did not have beds or rugs though it was biting cold. They were starving. And all the while the thought of the police plagued them. In the midst of all this they went on with their sacred work. And, for money they would sometimes loot government off ices.At last they could make bombs. The bombs were tested at Jhansi Fort. The test was a success.In February 1928, a committee from England visited India. It came to be known as the Simon Commission. The purpose of its visit was to decide how much freedom and responsibility could be given to the people of India. But there was no Indian on the committee. Naturally Indians were very angry. They decided to make it impossible for the Commission to work. They decided to drive it back to England. Wherever the committee went, people protested with black flags, shouting "Simon, go back."When the Simon Commission reached Lahore in October, it had to face a big procession opposed to it.'Naujavan Bharat Sabha' arranged the procession. Thousands of people took part in it. Its leader was the elderly patriot, Lala Lajpat Ray. Trouble started near the railway station itself. The revolutionaries did not allow the Simon Commission to proceed. The police could not protect the members. By that time, the Police Superintendent, one Scott by name, ordered a lathicharge. The police began to beat people with heavy sticks. People started running. But Lajpat Ray and his companions did not move.A police officer by name Saunders rushed forward and hit Lajpat Ray on the chest. It was a powerful blow. Lajpat Ray was old and he was ill. The blow brought him death. He suffered for a month and died.In his death, the revolutionaries suffered a heavy loss. They decided that they should take revenge and that they should kill Scott who ordered the lathi-charge. They thought of a plan. A revolutionary by name Jaya- gopal was to observe Scott's movements. Bhagat Singh and Rajguru were to shoot him. They had to plan carefully their escape. So much was planned under the leadership of Chandrasekhara Azad.But in the beginning itself, a small mistake was committed. Jayagopal mistook Saunders for Scott.The appointed day came. That evening Saunders came out of the police station and got on his motor bicycle. Jayagopal who was behind made a sign. Bhagat Singh and Rajguru were waiting on the way. As the motor bicycle neared Rajguru shot at Saunders from his pistol. At once Bhagat Singh also fired. A bullet struck the chest of the man who had struck Lajpat Ray's chest with a heavy stick; Saunders fell down dead. Bhagat Singh and Rajguru ran away. The police chased them. Both of them rushed into a lodge near-by. Then they escaped from the place.The whole city was filled with the news of Saunders' murder. The police spies began a search for the murderers all over the city.Next day posters appeared on the walls in all the streets of Lahore. They declared, "Lala Lajpat Ray's death is avenged. Saunders has been murdered." Besides, there were some words of caution addressed to the Government. The posters also contained the name of The Hindustan Samajvadi Prajatantra Sena (The Indian Socialist Republican Army) in red letters. So every one could know who were behind the murder of Saunders, The people's respect for the Kranti Dal grew. Saunders' murder shook the British Government.Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Chandra sekhara Azad all three escaped from Lahore. Bhagat Singh dressed himself as a foreign youth and wore a hat. Durga Bhabhi, the wife of a revolutionary by name Bhagavaticharan, and their child followed Bhagat Singh, so that people would think they were Bhagat Singh's wife and child. These three traveled by train in a first class compartment. Rajguru left the place disguised as an ordinary worker. Azad traveled as a pundit (scholar). The railway station was filled with eagle-eyed spies; but all the three went away.

A Bomb Bursts :The police searched and searched for Bhagat Singh and Rajguru, but could not find them. Three months passed.In April 1929, the Central Legislative Assembly met in Delhi. The British Government wanted to place before the Assembly two bills which were likely to harm the country's interests. Even if the Assembly rejected them, the Viceroy could use his special powers and approve them, and they would become laws. The Hindustan Samajvadi Prajatantra Sena (The Indian Socialist Republican Army) decided to resist the move.Of course, the revolutionaries escaped after Saunders' murder. But the people of Lahore were subjected to torture by the police. The Sena decided that such a thing should not happen again. The revolu- tionaries must oppose the British and court arrest. They must see that the objects of the Prajatantra Sena were explained to the people all over the country. With this object in view, the Sena resolved to send Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt to Delhi. Both of them were to go there, throw a bomb in the Legislative Assembly and, get arrested. For this purpose two harm- less bombs were made.On the 8th of April 1929 the two men took the bombs and entered the Assembly Hall. They sat in the visitors' gallery.The session commenced. The bills were placed before the Assembly by the Government. The members rejected them. In the end, a member of the Government began an announcement that the Viceroy had exercised his special powers. At once, a bomb fell from, above and exploded causing a fearful sound. Immediately another bomb fell. There were sounds of shooting, too. The entire hall was filled with smoke. People ran helter skelter. Some were so frightened that they fell down unconscious. By that time, red pamphlets fell from the visitors' gallery. In them, particulars of Prajatantra Sena (the Republican Army) were given and the Government was condemned. The Hall was filled with the slogan, 'Long Live Revolution!'The police rushed to the spot. Only Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt were there. They were holding pistols. Afraid of them, the police moved back. But both threw down their pistols and got them hand- cuffed.The bombs thrown into the Assembly Hall killed no one.Four or five personsreceived very minor injuries; that was all.It was not the revolutionaries' object to kill any body. The incident drew the attention of the entire world. The Kranti Dal's name became a household word. The British Government trembled.After the incident, the Government got scent of the factory at Lahore. The Government seized enough material to make seven thousand bombs. Another big factory at Shaharanpur too was discovered by the Government. Within a few days, most of the leaders of the Kranti Dal were arrested. The Government filed a case against them, accusing them of executing the Lahore plot. Bhagat Singh and his companions were kept in prison in Lahore.

A Welcome to Death : The trial of the accused commenced. In those days political prisoners were not treated properly in the jail. They were not given proper food. They were made to suffer in every possible way. Bhagat Singh and his companions decided to fight against the wretched conditions. Bhagat Singh was sure of being hanged. But he thought at least the other political. Prisoners could benefit. All the revolu- tionaries went on fast. They fasted for two months. Then the Government said it would consider their demands. Some gave up the fast. But Jatin Das did not. He did not listen to anybody. On the 64th day of his fast, he died. Bhagat Singh fasted for thirty-two days thereafter.The trial of Bhagat Singh and hiscompanions began; it drew the attention of the whole world. The court was heavily guarded by the police. No spectators were allowed inside the court. The prisoners were brought to the court in chains. They used to shout 'Long Live Revolution I' and only then enter the court hall.
Bhagat Singh and BatukeshwarDutt stated, "If the deaf are to hear, the sound has to be very loud. When we dropped thebomb, it was not our intention to kill anybody. We have bombed the British Government. The British must quit India and make her free." They also explained the objects of their association. The whole world came to understand their aim and activitiesbecause of the press reports.Finally judgment was given. Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru were to be hanged; some were to undergo lifeimprisonment; some were to be kept in jail for five years, some for seven, some for ten years.Bhagat Singh was to be hanged! When the news spread, the people all over the country were mad with rage. Thousands of appeals were sent to the Government, pleading that he should be saved. Several leaders of public life joined in the appeal. But all attempts failed. It was decided to hang them on the 24th of March 1931. Even the members of the prisoners' families were hot allowed to meet them. Moreover, Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru were hanged a day before the appointed day, that is, on March 23rd.Even on the day of their hanging they were fearless. They were cheerful. They com- peted with one another to be hanged first. It was decided that first Sukhdev would be hanged and then Bhagat Singh and finally Rajguru. All the three climbed the platform. Kissing the rope, they themselves put it round their neck. They died with the name of Bharat Mata on their lips. Such was the end of the three champions of freedom.That day no one in the jail touched food. Everyone was in tears. The next day, not knowing that the three prisoners had already been hanged, their relatives came to meet them. But it was all over with them. The dead bodies of the martyrs had been secretly burnt on the bank of the river Sutlej. Getting a clue thousands of people raced to the spot; but only the ashes remained. The people sobbed, with the ashes in their hands.All over the country tributes were paid to the heroes who fought for freedom and sacrificed their lives.Hundreds of songs werecomposed and sung about the martyrdom of Bhagat Singh. Even today, the heroic spirit of Bhagat Singh is an unfailing source of inspiration to the youth of the country. His courage, spirit of adventure and patriotism are an example to one and all.

Kartar Singh Jhabbar

Jathedar Kartar Singh ji Virk (alias Jhabbar), (1874-1962), was born at Village Jhabbar in District Sheikhupura, of Punjab, in the month of September 1874. He was the son of Sardar Teja Singh Virk and was the grandson of Sardar Mangal Singh Virk who had accepted the rule of Sarkar Khalsa of Ranjit singh. Earlier Maharaja Ranjit Singh's father Sardar Mahan singh had attacked the Jatt Virks of Jhabbar, but had lost two battles. Ranjit Singh decided to form an alliance with the Virks and Sardar Mangal Singh Virk was more than happy to serve the Sarkar Khalsa. Sardar Mangal singh virk was given the rank of Kumedan in the army of the Khalsa.

Bhai Kartar Singh was brought up as a classic Punjabi peasent, where youngsters would, apart from working in fields, spend their time measuring their chests and biceps, learning how to fight with a staff, eating drinking milk, lassi and other Punjabi goodies. Sardar Kartar Singh grew to be over six feet tall with manly looks. His dress was the classic Punjabi Jutt's attire of Kurta, Chadra, Pagri and a heavy staff ( Summan wali Daang ). God had given him a body and voice which was built to lead armies instead of common Punjabi folks.

He was a serious in all his endeavors had no time to listen to or spread gossip and had no patience for foul language. He was in a few words "a natural born leader of men".

His sharing of the Sikhi panth began when he met Bhai Mool Singh Gurmula in 1904. In those days Sikh preachers would travel from village to village giving lectures on Sikhism. Sikhism was, at the time, in a bad way; the Gurdwaras were under control of Mahants, who were adding many elements of Hinduism to the Gurdwaras. At one of Bhai Mool Singh's village lectures he was inspired with a burning desire to share Sikhi. Such was his enthusiasm that anytime the need of a preacher arose in any village he and some like minded friends would do whatever it took to answer the call.

He was a tireless worker (Sewadar) of the Singh Sabha movement who was ready to put his life on the line if the needarose. At one meeting at village Kotli Dasu Singh when a Muslim expressed the desire to be baptised as a Sikh, some fourty to fifty muslims attacked the ongoing ceremony, to their surprise Sardar Kartar Singh Jhabbar and his party used their staffs to put a quick end to the interuption.

The Singh Sabha was actively converting Hindus and Muslims of the lower castes to Sikhism at the time, all over Punjab. Normally in such a ceremony after a lecture of Sikh leaders and Gurbani, a Jathedar would ask those assembled if anyone wished to become an Amritdhari Sikh and ask those who answered yes to come forward. Kartar Singh Jhabbar visited numerous villages all over Punjab and give his lecture in many congregations. Then Jhabbar started making members of Singh Sabha. In two months he made 500 members, during his lectures at Gurdwara Baoli Sahib everyday about five - six thousands Sikhs would gather. Later he shifted his headquarters to Lahore.

Chief Khalsa Diwan at this time was creating Khalsa College schools as well as being involved with all the academic activites associated with Sikhism. In 1912, Sardar Kartar Singh Jhabbar established a Khalsa Middle school at village Sacha Sauda, distt Sheikhupura. He appointed Sardar Arjun Singh as Principle of this school. He went back to his original job of touring villages and lecturing about Sikhism. Then in 1913 on 13th april, some British troops were ordered to open fire on a peaceful congregation that had gathered, despite a curfew at Jalianwala Bagh in Amritsar. Some rioting and other activities had lead to the curfew. After this there were increased attacks on the British army, police, administration offices, and railways which spread all over Punjab.

Even though Jhabbar and other Sikh leaders had not led any of the riots they were arrested. Few days later, a sessions judge handed down a sentence of death to Kartar Singh Jhabbar, Teja Singh Chuharkana, Kahan Singh Chuharkana and Jagir Singh Muridka with sentences at the Andaman and Nicobar Island being handed out to seventeen other Sikhs. Jhabbar greeted yhe Judge with "Sat Sri Akal" after his sentence was read. Sardar Kartar Singh Jhabbar claimed later that, while in jail, he was visited by Guru Gobind Singh who gave him more power to lead Sikhs. Kartar Singh Jhabbar's sentence was reduced to a life term after police found no evidence of his involvement in riots and he was sent to a remote Island in the bay of bengal. Jhabbar was released from jail in 1920 and he was soon back in Punjab actively visiting villages and lecturing about Sikhism.

Gurdwara reform movement was started in 1920 A.D. by Singh Sabha's political wing later called Akali Dal. Another Sikh preacher was a close friend of Kartar Singh Jhabbar named Teja Singh Bhuchar. Both were called by Akali dal party to reach Gurdwara Babe ki Ber as the first Gurdwara to be reformed. At this time this gurdwara was under Mahant Harnam singh's widow, she resisted as Gurdwara was her all income but Akali leaders give her pension and this Gurdwara was put under an elected committe led by Baba Kharak Singh. Then akali party decided to take over Harmandir Sahib at Amritsar. Kartar Singh's party i.e. Jatha when reached Golden Temple, the priest was not letting in some low caste people who had converted to Sikhism. Jhabbar ran and after letting these people in went upto Akal Takht and started speaking to Sikh congregation. He told the sikh congregation that these Sikh priests do not let in low caste converts from Hindus to the Harmandir Sahib, neither do they give them Karah Prasad, in his lecture he told about Gurus and their movement to eradicate these evils., and need to reform Gurdwaras by taking over from hereditary Sikh priests, who that time Sardar Arur Singh of village Naushera in Amritsar District, was the Manager of Darbar Sahib, appointed by the British, later he had to leave his office. Thus on 28th June 1920, Golden Temple and Akal Takht was under control of Singh Sabha and democratically elected committe called Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee. Then Gurdwara Panja Sahib at Hasan Abdal was next.

On 24th December, at a meeting at Sheikhupura where Akali party was formed and named "Akali Jatha Khara Sauda Bar", Jhabbar was elected a jathedar of this party. Jhabbar and his party also freed Gurdwara Sacha Sauda.

Then Jhabbar freed Gurdwara, Tarn Taran Sahib Sahib from the Corrupt Sikh priests in 1921 and Guru Ka Bagh from the Udasi Mahants which is close to Amritsar city and Gurdwara Babe ki Bair, in Sialkot, from the Sikh Mahantani as well as four other Gurdwaras.

After Partition of 1947 and Independence, Kartar Singh Jhabbar, migrated to Dabri village, in Karnal District of Haryana, in India. Where he spent his last days, where he later died on the 20th November 1962.

Kedar Nath Saigal

Kedar Nath Saigal, Managing Agent of the Mohini Films Ltd., Lahore, came under the spell of national politics during the days of the Punjab agrarian unrest in 1907. When Ajit Singh and Sufi Amba Prasad set up the Bharat Mata Society, he joined it and soon became an active political worker. He took a leading part in the first campaign launched in the Punjab for non-payment of taxes. To promote the cause of Indian nationalism he founded two nationalist papers known as Khabarda and Urdu Akhbar. The Punjab Government considered his writings in these papers objectionable and his security deposits were forfeited. In 1911 he was arrested under the Arms Act and detained for a year. In 1915 he was re-arrested in connection with the first Lahore Conspiracy Case but was released after a year's trial.Immediately after this he was re-arrested under the defense of India Act and interned in District Multan for a period of four and a half years. In 1920 he secured his release but instead of taking rest he plunged into the non-cooperation movement in 1921. At that time he happened to be General Secretary of the Congress Committee, Lahore. He was hanged up and sentenced to 6 months imprisonment in 1922. After his release he was re-arrested and sent to jail in 1923.In the ranks of the Indian National Congress he occupied a position of prominence. He was member of the All-India Congress Committee till 1935. He was a co-founder of the Naujwan Bharat Sabha, which acquired great name and fame under the leadership of Bhagat Singh. When the first meeting of this Sabha was held in the Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar, in 1928, Saigal was elected its President. He was also the Kirti Kisan Party in the Punjab, both set up in 1928. He took a leading part in organizing the boycott of the Simon Commission and was involved in a riot case in connection therewith. In 1928 he was arrested in the Saunder's Murder Case and imprisoned for 3 years. During the period of his incarceration he was taken to Meerut for interrogation in connection with the Meerut Conspiracy Case. He remained there as an under-trial prisoner for period of 4 years and was then sentenced to a term of 4 years rigorous imprisonment. On his appeal the Allahabad High Court spared him the additional term and he was released in 1933. From 1933 to 1936 he functioned as General Secretary of the Punjab Provincial Congress Committee.

Kishan Singh Gargaj

The only son of his father Fateh Singh, Kishan Singh was born at village Baring, District Jalandhar. Before he entered on political activities, he was in the Indian Army for a period of about fifteen years serving in Battalion No. 35. He was promoted to the rank of Havaldar Major and was due for promotion as Jamandar when he resigned his service. While in the army, he was once accused of anti-British remarks and detained in Quarter Guard for 28 days.Jathedar Kishan Singh was in the prime of his youth at the time of his execution-no more than 35 years. On account of his passionate patriotism, integrity of character and power speech he had verily become the ideal of people.

KISHAN SINGH GARGAJJ (1886-1926), founder of the Babar Akali movement, was the only son of Fatch Singh of Baring, a village in Jalandhar district in the Punjab. He joined the army as a sepoy in 1906 and rose to be a havildar major in 35th Sikh Battalion. While in the army, he was much affected by events such as the demolition of the wall of the Rikabgarij Gurdwara in Delhi, the firing on the Komagata Maru passengers at Budge Budge, near Calcutta, and the Jalliarivala Bagh massacre. He started criticizing the government for the imposition of martial law in the Punjab for which he was court martialled and sentenced to 28 days rigorous imprisonment in military custody.

He resigned from the army in 1921 and joined the Akali agitation for Gurudwara reform. The Nankana Sahib massacre of 20 Feburary 1921 proved a real turning point in the life of Kishan Singh. He blamed the British for the tragedy and nursed thoughts of revenge. At the time of the Sikh Educational Conference at Hoshiarpur from 1921 March 1921, he and Master Mota Singh held a secret meeting and resolved to slay those responsible for the bloody happenings at Nankana Sahib. Their first target was Mr Bowering, the British superintendent of police at Lahore. The attempt on his life aborted and the men involved were arrested on 23 May 1921.

Warrants for the arrest of Kishan Singh and Master Mota Singh were issued, but both of them went underground. Kishan Singh continued making violent speeches whenever he had the chance. At Palaht, in Kapurthala state, he exhorted the people to don black turbans and become Akalis, to wear khaddar (homespun cotton fabric) and not to cooperate with the government. On account of his fiery speeches, he came to be known as Kishan Singh Gargaj (the Thunderer). Towards the close of 1921, Kishan Singh formed a secret group which came to be known as the Chakravarti Jatha.

Among his trusted colleagues were Dalip Singh Gosal, Sundar Singh Babar, Karam Singh Jhirigar, and Sant Kartar Singh (Sharaf Din before he converted a Sikh). They went around exhorting the people, especially army soldiers, to be ready for an armed rebellion against the British. From November 1921 to August of 1922, a series of divans was held at Bhubiana, Rurka Kalari, Bulena, Pandori Nijjhrari, Dhirigariari, Haripur, Bhojoval, Sarighval and other villages. While Kishan Singh and his companions carried on their campaign in Jalandhar district, with frequent incursions into the villages of Ambala district and Kapurlhala state, Karam Singh of Daulatpur, who had organized a similar band of extremist Sikhs, worked in Hoshiarpur district.

In October 1922, both groups joined together to form the Babar Akali Jatha vowed to violence. Kishan Singh was elected president of the Jatha, while Dalip Singh Gosal became secretary and Karam Singh Jhirigar treasurer. The Babar Akah Doaba was theJatha`s official organ to which Kishan Singh frequently contributed articles and poems. Additionally, a series of leaflets particularly aimed at the Indian soliders was issued regularly from August 1922 to May 1923. To obtain arms and ammunition, Kishan Singh established contact with two Sikh army soldiers Amar Singh and Ude Singh. He directed the secret campaign for the "reformation", a euphimism for liquidation or murder, of the jhohchuks (lit. robebearers, i.e. British stooges and toadies), especially those who spied on the Babar Akalis.

The Punjab Government came down upon the Babar Akalis with a heavy hand. A proclamation was issued announcing rewards for the apprehension of absconding Babars. Kishan Singh`s arrest carried a reward of Rs 2,000. On 26 February 1923, he was seized at Pandori Mahal through the treachery of Kabul Singh, a resident of his own village, Baring. Kishan Singh was the main accused in the Babar Akali conspiracy case. The trial lasted from 15 August 1923 to 28 February 1925. His written statement, which ran into 125 pages, centred on the inequities of British rule. Beyond making this statement, he forbore from taking any further part in the court proceedings. Kishan Singh was awarded death sentence, and was hanged on 27 February 1926.

Krishna Gopal Dutt

An intellectual prodigy and a noted freedom-fighter, he was born in January, 1899 at Sialkot in the house of a well-to-do businessman, Pandit Vaish Nath Dutt. He first studied at the Murry College, Sialkot and then shifted to Lajpat Rai's National College, Lahore where-from he graduated in 1923.While he was a student, he was attracted by the national movement of India and participated in the non-cooperation agitation of 1921. After the withdrawal of this movement he joined the Swaraj Party of C.R. Dass and Moti Lal Nehru and was appointed General Secretary of its Punjab branch.Before Independence Dutt went thrice to Europe and once to America to propagate the cause of India�s freedom. A notable journalist and a brilliant speaker, he employed both the media in the service of the national cause. He blended patriotism with cultural refinement and philosophical outlook.

Lal Duni Chand

Born in 1873, Lal Duni Chand passed his B.A. examination from the Forman Christian College, Lahore. After that he joined the Oriental College, Lahore where from he passed the Honors examination in Persian language and literature in 1894. Afterwards, he acquired professional training by passing the Licentiate-in-Law examination. He practiced at the bar until 1921 when in response to Mahatma Gandhi's call for no-cooperation he suspended his practice and sought imprisonment. In 1922 he was sentenced to 6 months imprisonment under the Criminal Law Amendment Act.After his release from jail, he successfully fought election to the Punjab Legislative Council as a member of the Swarajist Party founded by Moti Lal Nehru and C.R. Dass. While in the council, he tried his level best to make a success of the obstructionist Swarajist program.When civil Disobedience started in 1930, he once again suspended his practice of law and courted arrest.He occupied a prominent position in the Punjab Provincial Congress Committee and as such was elected member of the All-India Congress Committee in 1920. This membership he retained continuously throughout his long political career. During the days of the Civil Disobedience movement the Congress organization was declared unlawful and Lala Duni Chand being a member of the Congress Working Committee was sentenced to 6 months imprisonment. In recognition of his services to the national cause, he was invited to serve on the Punjab Jail Enquiry Committee in 1929 and later in 1935 was elected Acting President of the Punjab Provincial Congress Committee during the period of absence of the permanent President, Dr. Satyapal.With the passage of years, the lure of freedom struggle proved so strong that he decided to give up his lucrative practice at the bar altogether to be able to give maximum time to national work. When the Civil Disobedience movement began, he was arrested and confined.He was an Arya Samajist by faith and played an active part in its activities from 1899 onwards. He had deep interest in education and was Manager of the Anglo-Sanskrit, High School, Ambala from 1906 to 1921. He was also member of the Managing Committee of the D.A.V. College, Lahore for several years.

Lala Har Dayal

Lala Har Dayal played a very important role in the struggle for India's independence, He was born at Delhi on October 14, 1884. His father, Gaury Dayal Mathur, a Reader in the District Courts at Delhi, was not a man of wealth but a scholar of Persian and Urdu.He received his school education at Delhi. For higher education, he sought admission in the Government College, Lahore from where he took his Master of Arts degree in English Literature, standing at the top of the list of successful candidates. In another year, he did M.A. in History and established a new record in the University. He was awarded a State scholarship by the Government of India, which entitled him to a three years course of post-graduate studies at Oxford in England. Going abroad he studied for the Honors School of Modern History. Like many young Indians, he had the ambition to take the I.C.S. examination. But he soon dropped the idea and plunged into the struggle for freedom of India.In England he developed close associations with revolutionaries and reformers like C.F. Andrews, Bhai Parmanand's, Shyamaji Krishana Varma etc. By becoming a member of Abhinav Bharat, a revolutionary association, be came in close contact with Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. There after he began to contribute profusely in the Indian Socialist. He went further registering his protest against the British oppression of Indians, especially the arrests of Lajpat Rai and Ajit Singh in 1907, he resigned his State scholarship in England and returned to carry on political work at Lahore. On his way to the Punjab in January 1908, he halted at Poona where he met B.G. Tilak and G.K. Gokhale. Later, he left his wife who was expecting her first child at Patiala and adopted the life of a wandering monk. He began to dress simply, eat frugally and think deeply. On the advice of Lala Lajpat Rai, Hardayal started a center at Lahore for the training of young men. During these days he regularly contributed articles to the Modern Review and The Punjabi and openly associated himself with the revolutionaries. As the situation became tense, he left India and reached London in September 1908.With the murder of Sr W.C. Wyllie by Madan Lal Dhingra, Indian revolutionaries in London shifted to Paris. Har Dayal accompanied them and inaugurated the Bande Matram, a monthly journal, in September 1909. Finding Paris uncongential for revolutionary activities, Har Dayal left for the U.S.A. via West Indies and South America. In January 1911 he reached Boston and soon after left Harvard to meet Bhai Teja Singh, a prominent Punjabi in U.S.A. From Harvard he went to Honolulu and then to San Francisco. Here in collaboration with Bhai Parmanand's, he began to work for the rejuvenation of his countrymen. With the help of Sikh settlers in California, he instituted six scholarships for India youth that would choose to work for the welfare of India. As his popularity increased and the First World War drew closer, he helped to organize the Ghadar movement in U.S.A. In 1913, he was General Secretary of the Hindustan Gadar Pary. As Har Dayal was the real brain behind the movement, the British Government pressed the U.S. Government to arrest him. Consequently, he migrated to Germany and in October 1914 sought German support for the liberation of India.Distressed at the attitude of the German Government, he left Germany in October 10, 1918 for Stockholm and finally settled down in Sweden where he earned his livelihood by teaching and lecturing. He stayed in Sweden till October, 1927 when the British Government granted amnesty to all political refugees. In 1928 he decided to do from the same learned institution his doctorate on Bodhisatine Doctrine in Buddhist Sanskrit Literature in October, 1931 he submitted his thesis and was awarded the degree. Next year, his thesis was published in London. From now onward he followed only literary pursuits.Har Dayal stayed in England for about 10 years. In September, 1938 he left for U.S.A. to deliver lectures at various Universities over there. It was in Philadelphia that he breathed his last on 4th March 1939.

Lala Jagat Narain

A Chopra Khatri by caste, he was born at Wazirabad, District Gujranwala (now in Pakistan) in 1889. He graduated from D.A.V. College, Lahore in 1919. After that he joined the Law College, Lahore but left his studies in 1920 at the call of Mahatma Gandhi and joined the non-cooperation movement. He was arrested in 1921 and was sentenced in two and a half years imprisonment. In jail he stayed with Lala Lajpat Rai and other leaders and acted as Lalaji's Personal Secretary. In 1924 he joined Bhai Parmanand's Weekly Hindi Paper Akashvani as Editor. He participated in all the Satyagraha movement launched by the Congress under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi and was in jail for about nine years on different occasions. His wife and other members of the family also suffered on account of their participation in the freedom movement. His wife was in jail for six months and so were his minor sons and daughters. His eldest son, Ramesh Chandra, was arrested in the Quit India movement and detained for a few months.Lala Jagat Narain was President of the Lahore City Congress Committee for seven years and leader of the Congress Party in the Lahore Corporation. He was member of the Punjab Provincial Congress Committee for more than thirty years and member of the All-India Congress Committee for about the same number of years

Lala Pindi Das

Lala Pindi Das hailed from village Vaniawaal, District Gujranwala (now in Pakistan). He was born in June 1886. His father Lala Isher Das was a rich and prosperous man widely respected by the people of the locality.After completing his studies in 1904, he plunged into the freedom struggle. He soon became an active member of the Anjman-I-Muhiban-I-Watan (society of lovers of the country). He actively participated in the Anti-Colonization Bill movement. For his activities, which were considered objectionable by the Government, he was convicted and sentenced to five years imprisonment in 1907.He participated in all Congress movements such as Non-cooperation, Civil Disobedience and Quit India, suffering imprisonment or detention each time. In all he spent 16 years in jail. During the Martial Law days of 1919, he was confined in a small cage and subjected to great tortures.Dedicated to the nation, he drafted his wife Parmeshwari Devi as well as his daughters - Swadesh Kumari, Sadarsh Kumari, Satya Bala and Swaraj Kumari into the struggle for freedom. All of them except the youngest underwent two years of imprisonment from 1930-32 a unique example of patriotism.Lala Pindi Das lived on for many years after Independence, He died on 17th July, 1969.

Sardul Singh Caveeshar

A front-ranking freedom fighter, Sardul Singh Caveeshar was born at Amritsar in 1886. He had his degree in post-graduate studies from the Panjab University, Lahore in 1909. During the period of his studies he proved himself a first class football and Cricket player.Sardul Singh began his public career with the bringing out of the Sikh Review in 1913 at Delhi. When agitation started over the demolition of a portion of the outer wall of Gurudwara Rikab Ganj, Delhi, he played a leading role in it with the result that he was extorted from Delhi for his objectionable activities.Thereafter, he shifted to Lahore and started a newspaper, called the New Herald. From the very foundation of the All-India Sikh League in 1919, he was among its most active members and was elected its Secretary in 1920 and its President the following year. The same year, in recognition of his services to the national cause, he was elected Secretary of the Punjab Provincial Congress Committee. During the period 1921 to 1922 he actively participated in the non-cooperation movement and the Akali morchas on account of which he was arrested and sentenced to transportation for 5 years. But he did not have to complete the whole term and released after a year only.In 1925 Sardul Singh presided over the Punjab Provincial Conference. In 1926 he resigned the membership of all Sikh organizations in order to devote himself wholly to the national cause. In 1928 he was elected member of the Congress Working Committee. This position he held for several years till he left the Congress for good. He acted as President of Indian Nation Congress in 1932 and 1933. He was sentenced four times in connection with the Civil Disobedience movement

Seth Sant Ram

He was born at Lahore in 1889. His father, Jamiat Rai Seth, was in Government service. Sant Ram received his early education in Government High School, Kasur.From 1914 onwards Sant Ram was in the thick of the fight for India's freedom. In 1916 he organized a branch of B.G. Tilak's Home Rule League in Amritsar and also set up in the same year a Congress Committee for the city. In the agitation against Rowlatt Bills he was most active and in the company of Dr. Kitchlew and Dr. Satyapal conducted a hurricane propaganda campaign through the Punjab towns and cities inciting the people to rise against the Bills and to strengthen the agitation. When in 1919 the Indian National Congress held its annual session at Amritsar, he was member of the Reception Committee organized to host the session. Soon after he was elected Secretary of the Amritsar City Congress Committee, and in that capacity he actively participated in the non-cooperation movement. On account of that he was arrested and sentenced to three years imprisonment.Later, Sant Ram was one of the chief figures in the anti-Simon Commission demonstrations organized in the Punjab. He was General Secretary of the first War Council organized in 1930 at Amritsar with Dr. Kitchlew as its dictator. In 1931 he was arrested and sentenced to a two years term for taking part in the Civil Disobedience movement.During the disturbances of 1947 Sant Ram saved hundreds of Muslims in distress and supplied them with rations even at great risk to his own life. He helped Miss. Mridula Sarabhai in the recovery of abducted women. He also rendered great help in organizing refugee camps in Amritsar on that occasion. Earlier, he had worked for sufferers of Bihar and Quetta earthquakes.

Seth Sudarshan

A great financier and leader of the Punjab Congress, Seth Sudarshan was born at Jhansi in 1903. After studying for a while at Allahabad at the Convent School, he came to Karnal from where he passed the Matriculation examination of the Panjab University, Lahore. Then he proceeded to Government College, Lahore, but his studies were cut short abruptly while he was a student of F.A. classes, by the untimely death of his father in 1922.Sudarshan's father who was a zealous Arya Samajist, was also a staunch nationalist. The son inherited his urge for nationalism from his father and at the early age of 16 began to take an active part in the Rowlatt Bills agitation as an ardent Congress volunteer. During the dark days of the Martial Law Administration he narrowly escaped death on three occasions.The death of his father forced young Sudarshan to seek for himself a suitable means of livelihood. The acquisition of a furniture shop in 1924 provided him with an opening and he commenced his business career as a dealer in furniture. In 1925 he managed to obtain Tata's agency for Jalandhar and thus entered the iron and steel trade, which became his main business henceforward. By 1929, through sheer hard work and force of character, he became a leading iron magnate of India and was handling one of the largest agencies of the Tatas.But his attachment to the Congress continued unabated and with his accession to affluence he started helping the Congress financially. The Lahore Session of the Congress in 1929 owed it success in a large measure to his munificence. He was a great devotee of Madan Mohan Malviya and Lala Lajpat Rai. Like most national workers of note he was arrested and kept in jail several times.In 1937 he was elected to the Punjab Legislative Assembly and was appointed Chief Whip of the Congress Party. During the elections of 1946 he was the chief organizer of the Congress election campaign and it was largely through his untiring efforts that the Congress won such a great success at the polls.During the Communal riots of 1947 he acted with admirable courage and expedition and visited, at great risk to his own life, places like D.I. Khan, D.G. Khan, Peshawar, Sargodha and Sheikhupura and rendered valuable and timely help to large numbers of people in distress.