Chandra Shekhar Azad, a name synonymous with audacious courage and unwavering commitment to India’s freedom, remains a pivotal figure in the nation’s struggle against British colonial rule. His life, though tragically short, was a blazing testament to revolutionary idealism and a refusal to bow before oppression. This article delves into the chronological journey of Azad, highlighting his pivotal role in India’s independence movement.
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Table of Contents
- 1 Date of Birth, Parents and Birth Place
- 2 Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) and Revolutionary Life
- 2.1 Kakori Train Robbery, 9 August 1925
- 2.2 Reorganization and the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) (1928-1930)
- 2.3 Killing of Saunders, Assistant Superintendent of the Lahore Police, 1928
- 2.4 Lahore Conspiracy Case, 1928-30
- 2.5 Martyrdom at Alfred Park, 27 February 1931
- 2.6 Legacy and Influence
Date of Birth, Parents and Birth Place
Chandra Shekhar Azad was born on 23 July 1906 in village Bhavra in present day Alirajpur district in Madhya Pradesh. His father’s name was Sitaram Tiwari and mother’s name was Jagrani Devi. Azad full and original name was Chandra Shekhar Tiwari.
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His parents, Sitaram Tiwari and Jagrani Devi, were deeply rooted in their Brahmin traditions. From a young age, he exhibited a deep sense of patriotism and fearlessness, qualities that later defined his revolutionary journey.
Chandra Shekhar was sent to Kashi Vidyapeeth at Banaras, Uttar Pradesh to study Sanskrit.
Non-Cooperation Movement, 1921 and from Tiwari to Azad
While Chandra Shekhar was studying in Kashi Vidyapeeth at Banaras, the atmosphere of nationalist movements, especially after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919, deeply impacted his young mind. He was inspired by the Non-Cooperation Movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1921. Then at the age of 15, Chandra Shekhar joined the Non-Cooperation Movement.
However on 24 December 1921, Chandra Shekhar was arrested and sent to jail. Two weeks later when he was produced before the district magistrate Justice M.P. Khareghat, he gave his name as “Azad” (The Free), his father’s name as “Swatantrata” (Independence) and his residence as “Jail”. This angered magistrate who punished him with 15 blows. Since then that’s how Chandra Shekhar came to be known as Chandra Shekhar Azad amongst his circle and in British records.
Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) and Revolutionary Life
In February 1922, after a massacre at Chauri Chaura in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, Mahatma Gandhi suspended the Non-Cooperation Movement. Chandra Shekhar Azad was disappointed by the suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement. Azad was not willing to accept British rule passively. He realized that armed resistance was necessary to achieve independence.
In 1922, Chandra Shekhar Azad met a young revolutionary, Manmath Nath Gupta, who introduced him to Ram Prasad Bismil and others. He joined the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA), a revolutionary organization founded by Sachindra Nath Sanyal. He then became an active member of the HRA and started to collect funds for HRA. Azad’s fiery spirit and organizational skills quickly earned him a prominent position within the HRA.
Kakori Train Robbery, 9 August 1925
To organise funds for HRA, a robbery was conceived by HRA members, Ram Prasad Bismil and Ashfaqullah Khan. On 9 August 1925, they looted a train carrying British government treasury at Kakori, near Lucknow. The robbery plan was executed by Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqullah Khan, Rajendra Lahiri, Chandra Shekhar Azad, Sachindra Bakshi, Keshab Chakravarty, Manmathnath Gupta, Mukundi Lal, Murari Lal Gupta and Banwari Lal.
Following the incident, the British administration started an intense manhunt and arrested several of the revolutionaries including Sachindra Nath Sanyal, Ram Prasad Bismil and Ashfaqullah Khan.
Chandra Shekhar Azad and few others were the only participants not to have been arrested.
Reorganization and the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) (1928-1930)
The execution of key HRA members like Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqullah Khan, and Rajendra Lahiri in the Kakori case dealt a severe blow to the organization. However, Azad, along with Bhagat Singh and Sukhdev, remained determined to carry on the struggle. They reorganized the HRA, renaming it the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA), adding “Socialist” to the name to emphasize their commitment to social justice and equality. The HSRA, under Azad’s leadership, became more radical and focused on direct action.
Killing of Saunders, Assistant Superintendent of the Lahore Police, 1928
On 30 October 1928, Lala Lajpat Rai was holding a protest march in Lahore against the Simon Commission. Lahore’s Superintendent of Police (SP), James A. Scott, ordered the police to lathi charge the protesters and personally assaulted Lala Lajpat Rai. Lala Lajpatv Rai was severely injured and died on 17 November 1928 owing to the injuries. Members of HSRA incliuding Chandra Shekhar Azad, Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru, Sukhdev Thapar decided to avenge the death of Lala Lajpat Rai. They planned to kill James A. Scott.
On 17 December 1928, as per the plan they visited District Police Headquarters in Lahore. In a mistaken identity Bhagat Singh and Shivaram Rajguru killed John P. Saunders, an assistant superintendent of the Lahore Police, instead of James A. Scott, the superintendent of the Lahore Police. Chanan Singh, a Head Constable who was chasing Bhagat Singh and Shivaram Rajguru, was shot dead by Chandrashekhar Azad.
Next day on 18 December 1928, Chandra Shekhar Azad published a pamphlet in the name of Balraj, his pseudonym. The pamphlet was about murder of Saunders.
Lahore Conspiracy Case, 1928-30
Most of the members of HSRA were captured after Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt threw bombs at the Central Legislative Assembly in Delhi on April 8, 1929. Chandra Shekhar Azad again could not be arrested or captured. The arrested revolutionaries were tried for killing of John P. Saunders in Lahore. This case came to be known as Lahore Conspiracy Case.
Check out the Judgement in Lahore Conspiracy Case in the Ministry of Culture website.
Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev were sentenced to death in the Lahore conspiracy case and were hanged on 23 March 1931 in the Lahore jail.
Martyrdom at Alfred Park, 27 February 1931
Azad remained a fugitive, constantly evading the British police. He became a symbol of defiance, inspiring countless young Indians to join the revolutionary movement. Despite relentless pursuit, he continued to plan and execute operations, maintaining the momentum of the struggle.
On 27 February 1931 while he was meeting with fellow revolutionary in Alfred Park in Allahabad (now known as Chandrashekhar Azad Park in present day Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh), he was surrounded by Allahabad Police. A fierce gun battle ensued, where Azad displayed unmatched bravery, taking down several British officers. Realizing that he was running out of ammunition and refusing to be captured alive, he shot himself with his last bullet, living up to his name ‘Azad’ which means free.
Legacy and Influence
Chandra Shekhar Azad’s sacrifice inspired generations of Indians to fight for independence. His unwavering commitment to the cause and fearless spirit made him a legendary figure in India’s freedom struggle. Today, various educational institutions, roads, and parks across India are named in his honor, ensuring that his legacy continues to inspire future generations.
Written By: Brijesh Singh
