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Bhagat Singh

Jail Struggle

Bhagat Singh’s Time in Jail: The Fight Continues Behind Bars

Bhagat Singh’s time in jail (1929–1931) was not just a period of confinement—it became an extension of his revolution. Even while imprisoned, he continued to challenge British rule through his actions, hunger strikes, and writings.

1. The Hunger Strike for Prisoners’ Rights (1929)

  • Bhagat Singh and his comrades noticed that Indian political prisoners were treated far worse than British prisoners.
  • They demanded equal treatment, including better food, clothing, books, and hygiene conditions.
  • To protest, he led a hunger strike that lasted 116 days, despite facing extreme weakness and force-feeding attempts by the British.
  • His comrade Jatin Das died on the 63rd day, making him a martyr of the strike.

2. Writing & Intellectual Growth in Jail

  • Bhagat Singh used his time in jail to read extensively, studying socialism, history, and revolution.
  • He wrote one of his most famous essays, “Why I Am an Atheist,” defending rational thought over blind faith.
  • His letters from jail reflected deep intellectual insights and a clear vision for India’s future.

3. Refusing Clemency & Embracing Martyrdom

  • The British offered him ways to save his life, including an apology or legal appeal.
  • He refused, believing that his martyrdom would inspire future generations.
  • Instead of fear, he remained calm and cheerful, reading books and writing letters until his last moments.

4. Secret Hanging & Its Aftermath

  • Originally set for March 24, 1931, his execution was moved up to March 23 to avoid protests.
  • He was hanged at 7:30 PM, alongside Rajguru and Sukhdev, at Lahore Central Jail.
  • The British secretly cremated his body near the Sutlej River to prevent public outrage, but the news of his execution spread rapidly, igniting massive protests.

5. Legacy Beyond Prison

  • His time in jail showed his mental strength, commitment to justice, and unshaken revolutionary spirit.
  • His words and ideas continue to inspire generations beyond his lifetime.
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Bhagat Singh

Bhagat Singh: The Scholar Revolutionary

Bhagat Singh was not just a fearless fighter but also a deep thinker and voracious reader. His revolutionary ideas were shaped by extensive reading on socialism, history, and philosophy.

  • Interest in Political Ideologies: He studied the works of Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels, and Vladimir Lenin, drawing inspiration from their thoughts on class struggle and revolution.
  • Influence of Literature: He admired writers like Victor Hugo (“Les Misérables”), which portrayed the fight against oppression, and Upton Sinclair, whose books exposed capitalist exploitation.
  • Reading in Prison: While awaiting execution, he requested books such as “The Life of Lenin” and “The History of the Russian Revolution”, showing his unwavering commitment to learning.
  • Multilingual Learning: Fluent in Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, and English, he also explored Bengali literature, particularly works of Rabindranath Tagore and Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.
  • A Scholar with a Mission: For Bhagat Singh, reading was not just for knowledge but a weapon to challenge injustice, educate the masses, and lay the foundation for an independent, socialist India.

His love for books proved that true revolution begins in the mind before it reaches the battlefield. 🚩

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Bhagat Singh

Bhagat Singh’s Clever Disguises to Evade Arrest

Bhagat Singh was a master of disguise, using different appearances to outsmart British authorities.

  • Shedding His Sikh Identity (1928): After the Lahore Conspiracy Case and the killing of British officer J.P. Saunders, Bhagat Singh cut his hair and shaved his beard—a significant sacrifice for a Sikh—to avoid being recognized while escaping Lahore.
  • Adopting Western Attire: To blend in, he wore a suit, a hat, and spoke in English, presenting himself as a well-educated young man rather than a revolutionary.
  • Growing a Beard for a New Identity (1929): Later, when the British intensified their search for him, he grew a full beard and adopted a more traditional Indian look, making it harder for authorities to identify him.
  • Multiple Disguises and Fake Names: He often changed his name and identity while traveling—one of his aliases was Balwant Singh.
  • Outsmarting the British Intelligence: Despite being one of the most wanted men in India, he managed to evade capture multiple times, proving his intelligence and adaptability.

His ability to transform his appearance helped him stay ahead of the British, but his ultimate goal was never to run—it was to inspire a revolution. 🚩

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Bhagat Singh: The Revolutionary Journalist

  1. Bhagat Singh was not only a fearless revolutionary but also a sharp intellectual and prolific writer.
  2. His articles, published in newspapers like Kirti, Pratap, and Veer Arjun, played a crucial role in awakening nationalist sentiments.
  • Advocacy for Socialism: He strongly supported Marxist and socialist ideologies, believing that true freedom was not just from British rule but also from economic and social oppression.
  • Criticism of British Policies: His writings exposed British exploitation, condemned oppressive laws, and inspired youth to join the independence movement.
  • “Why I Am an Atheist”: In this famous essay, written in jail in 1930, he defended his rationalist beliefs and argued against blind faith in religion, emphasizing action over prayers.
  • Call for a United Struggle: He emphasized Hindu-Muslim unity, warning against communal divisions and urging people to fight together for independence.
  • Influence from International Thinkers: He read and referenced Lenin, Marx, and Bakunin, shaping his revolutionary vision through global perspectives.

Through his journalism, Bhagat Singh transformed words into weapons, making his ideas immortal even after his execution. 🚩

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Bhagat Singh: A Multilingual Visionary

  1. Bhagat Singh’s linguistic skills allowed him to read revolutionary literature from different regions and communicate effectively with diverse groups.
  2. He was fluent in Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, and English and had a good grasp of Bengali.
  3. He studied European, Russian, and Irish revolutionary movements, learning from their strategies and ideologies.
    His exposure to Bengali literature helped him understand the nationalist movements in Bengal, particularly those led by Subhas Chandra Bose and Aurobindo Ghosh.
  4. Through his knowledge of Urdu and Hindi, he wrote powerful articles and slogans that resonated with the masses, strengthening the freedom movement.
  5. His fluency in English enabled him to read works of Karl Marx, Lenin, and Victor Hugo, shaping his vision for a socialist India.
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Bhagat Singh’s Assembly Bombing Incident – 1929

On April 8, 1929, Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt carried out a dramatic act of protest by throwing two bombs inside the Central Legislative Assembly in Delhi. This was a carefully planned move to oppose the Public Safety Bill and Trade Disputes Bill, which were aimed at curbing civil liberties and suppressing revolutionaries.

The Plan and Execution

  • Non-lethal Bombs: The bombs were low-intensity and specifically designed to make noise rather than cause casualties.
  • Strategic Target: They were thrown into an empty section of the assembly hall to ensure no one was injured.
  • Pamphlets and Slogans: As the smoke spread, Bhagat Singh and Dutt shouted “Inquilab Zindabad” (Long Live the Revolution) and threw pamphlets explaining their cause.
  • No Attempt to Escape: Instead of running away, both revolutionaries stood firm and allowed themselves to be arrested, knowing they could use their trial as a political platform.

The Trial and Bhagat Singh’s Strategy

  • Bhagat Singh viewed the trial as a way to expose British injustice and promote the revolutionary cause.
  • He refused to apologize or defend himself in conventional terms, stating:
    “We wanted to make the deaf hear, and for that purpose, the explosion was necessary.”
  • He read books in jail, wrote articles, and encouraged his fellow prisoners to fight for their rights.

Impact of the Incident

  • The Assembly bombing electrified India’s youth, inspiring many to join the freedom struggle.
  • Bhagat Singh emerged as a national hero, despite British attempts to portray him as a criminal.
  • His famous slogan “Inquilab Zindabad” became a symbol of resistance against British rule.

This act was not just about throwing a bomb—it was about making a statement that shook the British Empire and awakened the spirit of revolution across India. 🚩

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Lesser – Known Facts

  1. Master of Disguise – Bhagat Singh changed his appearance multiple times to evade the British. After killing J.P. Saunders, he shaved his beard, cut his hair (despite being Sikh), and dressed in Western-style clothing to escape Lahore.
  2. Fluent in Multiple Languages – He was well-versed in Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, English, and even read literature in French and Russian, studying works by Karl Marx, Lenin, and Bakunin.
  3. Fake Name in Jail – While imprisoned, he sometimes signed his writings as “Vidrohi” (The Rebel) to keep his identity hidden.
  4. Refused Mercy Petition – Unlike many other revolutionaries, Bhagat Singh outright refused to sign any mercy plea, despite pressure from his family and political leaders.
  5. Wanted to Die Later – He requested the British to execute him by firing squad (like a soldier) instead of hanging. The request was denied.
  6. Read Books Before Execution – On the day of his hanging (March 23, 1931), he was reading “Revolutionary Lenin” and calmly said, “Wait a moment, let me finish this page.”
  7. British Hastened His Execution – His hanging was scheduled for March 24, 1931, but fearing public outrage, the British secretly executed him a day earlier, at 7:30 PM on March 23.
  8. Secret Disposal of His Body – The British secretly cremated his body near the Sutlej River to avoid protests, but locals discovered it and performed his last rites.

Bhagat Singh was not just a freedom fighter but also a philosopher, thinker, and revolutionary intellectual. His ideas continue to inspire people worldwide.

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Bhagat Singh

Influence and Ideology

  • He was deeply influenced by Marxism and socialism, believing that true independence meant economic and social equality.
  • He admired leaders like Lenin, Karl Marx, and Mikhail Bakunin, studying their works while in jail.
  • His vision went beyond just political freedom; he wanted to create an egalitarian, secular, and socialist India.
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Books & Essays Written by Bhagat Singh

  1. “Why I Am an Atheist” – A powerful essay where he explains his rejection of religious beliefs.
  2. “Jail Diary of Bhagat Singh” – A collection of his thoughts, letters, and notes written while he was imprisoned.
  3. “Ideas of a Nation: Bhagat Singh” – A compilation of his essays on revolution, freedom, and social justice.

Articles & Pamphlets:

  1. “The Problem of Language and Script in Punjab” – A discussion on linguistic issues.
  2. “Letter to Young Political Workers” – Advice to future revolutionaries.
  3. “To The Young Political Workers” – His vision for India’s revolutionary movement.
  4. “The Kirti Articles” – A series of essays published in Kirti, a socialist newspaper.
  5. “Manifesto of Naujawan Bharat Sabha” – A revolutionary document outlining youth responsibilities.
  6. “Blood Sprinkled on the Day of Holi” – A critique of British oppression.
  7. “Introduction to the Dreamland” – A philosophical piece on freedom and justice.
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Bhagat Singh’s School Days

  1. Bhagat Singh received his early education at Govt. Primary School in Banga, his hometown (now in Pakistan).
  2. Later, he studied at Dayanand Anglo-Vedic (DAV) High School in Lahore, which was run by Arya Samaj. This school played a significant role in shaping his nationalist ideas, as it emphasized Vedic teachings and patriotism.
  3. For higher studies, he joined the National College in Lahore, which was founded by Lala Lajpat Rai as an alternative to British-controlled institutions. Here, Bhagat Singh was deeply influenced by revolutionary leaders and ideologies.
  4. The college became a hub for political discussions, and he actively participated in debates and patriotic activities.
  5. His time at National College strengthened his resolve to fight for India’s independence, leading him to join various revolutionary movements.
  6. Despite being a bright student, Bhagat Singh was more passionate about the freedom struggle than formal education, and he eventually left college to dedicate himself fully to the cause.