81) Inspirations from Indian History: Shaheed Bhagat Singh: Commemorating his Birth Centenary 1997 – 2007: ( 27.09.1907 – 23.03.1931)

81) Inspirations from Indian History: Shaheed
(Martyr) Bhagat Singh:

Commemorating his Birth Centenary 1997 – 2007:( 27.09.1907 – 23.03.1931)

Bhagat Singh was born on 27.09.1907 in a Sikh family at Chak No. 105, GB, Banga Village, Jaranwala Tehsil, in Lyallpur District,  Punjab (in undivided India) when India was under British Rule. His family originally came from Khatkar Kalan in Nawanshahr district (now called Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar). 

 His grandfather Arjan Singh, his father Kishan Singh and uncles Ajit Singh and Swaran Singh were prominent Revolutionaries in their own right (both uncles were members of the “Gadar Party” (meaning the “Revolution Party” or “Party advocating Revolution”), fighting for the cause of Indian’s Freedom struggle from the British Raj and his family had also, served in the Army of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. 

He was named Bhagat (meaning “devotee”) and was nicknamed “Bhaganwala” (meaning “one bringing luck” or “the lucky one”), because his uncle who was held in Mandalay prison in Burma and his grandfather who was held in Lahore prison, were released from both prisons at the time of his birth. Ajit Singh later had to flee to Persia to escape British harassment, while Swaran Singh passed away due to ill-health.

Bhagat Singh is considered to be one of the foremost and most influential revolutionaries of the Indian Freedom Movement.

Grooming as a “Revolutionary” in India’s Freedom/Independence struggle against British Rule:

As his grandfather was a follower of the “Dharam Samaj” (a Hindu Reformist Movement), he admitted his grandson Bhagat to the DAV College in Lahore (presently in Pakistan – 23 km from the present India – Pakistan border).

 While studying at the D.A.V. College, which was a hub of Revolutionary activities, Bhagat Singh came in touch with several Revolutionaries, in particular, Bhagwati Charan and Sukhdev among others. 

In 1919, he visited the Jallianwala Bagh, where the recent  murder/massacre of several innocent, unarmed and peacefully gathered patriots ( men, women and children) who fired upon by an armed force under British command without warning to disperse, had left an everlasting impression on him. 

 For more on Jallianwala Bagh massacre please click on this link 

In 1920, Bhagat Singh participated in Gandhiji’s Non-Cooperation Movement and burnt his school books in open defiance of British Authorities.

In 1921, he welcomed several persons in his village who were protesting against the Gurudwara Nankana Sahib unprovoked firing on 21.02.1921 on unarmed persons by British Authorities, which had resulted in the loss of several lives. 

After this incident, he became disillusioned with Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence particularly after Gandhi called off the Non-Cooperation Movement.

Meanwhile, as a retaliation for the police action in killing 3 villagers at Chauri Chaura, in the United Provinces (present day state of Uttar Pradesh) 3 policemen were killed by the Revolutionaries, which action helped make up his mind to join the Young Revolutionary Movement and he now, whole-heartedly subscribed to adopting armed means of protest to overthrow the British yoke.

In 1923, he joined the National College in Lahore, where he showed all-round excellence in studies and extra-curricular activities including Dramatics, Essay writing fluency in several languages etc. 

As a teenager, he studied European Revolutionary Movements and was attracted to Anarchist and Marxist schools of thought .By Anarchism, he stood for the absence of ruler and abolition of State and not the absence of order. He believed in the philosophy “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (All the World is one Family). He was influenced by Marxism and in his later life became an Atheist. He read the works of Rabindranath Tagore, Charles Dickens, Karl Marx and Maxim Gorky.

Influenced by the Revolutionary activities at DAV College, he became an active member of the “Naujawan Bharat Sabha” (Youth Society of India)  and “Hindustan Republican Association” formed by the Revolutionaries of Uttar Pradesh, which was later renamed as the “Hindustan Socialist Republican Association”. 

He went to Cawnpore (present day Kanpur) to attempt freeing the Kakori train freedom fighters who were in the custody of the British Authorities but aborted the mission because the prison was heavily guarded.

He was arrested in a bombing case in Lahore and released on bail.

He wrote several articles steeped in Revolutionary philosophy, in Urdu and Punjabi newspapers published from Amritsar.  He subscribed to Anarchism and on this subject he wrote several articles in 1928 in the Punjabi Periodical “Kirti”.

Also, in 1928, he became the Secretary of the “Kirti Kisan Party” (Workers and Farmers Party) and later rose to be its leader.

Incidents that brought Bhagat Singh into National Prominence:

In 1928:the Simon Commission studying the current political situation in India, was boycotted by all Indians and there were all-round protests throughout India. When the Commission visited Lahore on 30.10.1928, Lala Lajpat Rai, leading a non-violent protest, the Superintendent of Police James A. Scott personally led a “lathi-charge” which resulted in grievous injuries to Lala Lajpat Rai and he was martyred on 17.11.1928. When the British Government denied any role/hand in Lala Lajpat Rai’s death, Bhagat Singh joined a group of revolutionaries to kill Scott. 

In a case of mistaken identity when the person who was to identify Scott, instead indicated to J.P.Saunders an Asst. of Police, Shivaram Rajguru and Bhagat Singh shot him dead on 17.12.1928 at the Police Headquarters in Lahore. Later, while being chased by a Head Constable, Chandrashekhar Azad, another prominent Revolutionary, shot him dead and they made good their escape on bicycles and later successfully eluded police efforts to arrest them by disguising themselves.

In 1929:  Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt threw two bombs inside the “Central Legislative Assembly” by rushing into the Assembly Hall from the Visitor’s Gallery. As smoke filled the Hall, they shouted slogans of “Inquilab Zindabad” (meaning “Long live the Revolution”) and also showered leaflets mentioning that this was done in protest against the Trade Disputes and Public Safety bill being presented in the Central Assembly and the death of Lala Lajpat Rai. A few minor injuries were reported and both Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt were arrested.

Ensuing trial on the Assembly Bomb Case:

In a stage-managed trial several witnesses testified that Bhagat Singh had fired with the gun he was carrying before it was snatched away from him, but the overwhelming consensus is that the gun was actually handed over by Bhagat Singh himself to the arresting police officials, and he had not used it as he had succeeded in his main objectives of highlighting the salient features of his protest without causing serious/fatal injuries. 

 Also, the impact of the two small bombs was blown out of proportion by the witnesses. As a result, while Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt were sentenced to 14 years life imprisonment, the witnesses were rewarded by the British with honours/promotions.

Trail for the Saunders case:

The British authorities uncovered a “bomb making unit” at Lahore and seven of the arrested persons who turned informers, testified against Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev at a trial for the killing of Saunders, who were made the main accused in the case.

Meanwhile, Bhagat Singh used the trial as a platform to gain maximum publicity to their Revolutionaries cause. While in prison, he underwent a 116 days fast along with several Indian prisoners demanding rights for Indian prisoners at par with the European prisoners. Matters came to a head when despite the British Authorities efforts to get the Revolutionaries to break their fast, one prisoner Jatindra Nath Das breathed his last after a 63 day’s hunger strike. 

  Bhagat Singh only broke his fast when the Central Assembly passed a Resolution censuring the “inhuman treatment” of the Lahore prisoners, but stopped short of granting equal benefits to Indian prisoners.

Bhagat Singh’s popularity all over India grew and all Indians approved and lauded his efforts to highlight the cause of the Revolutionaries’ Freedom struggle and the plight of Indian prisoners in British Administered Jails, except for the pacifists like Gandhi and the Indian National Congress who were drawn into grudgingly admitting “solidarity” to the young Revolutionaries on popular public demand, although subscribing to a policy diametrically opposed to that of the Revolutionaries.

A Special Tribunal on 7^th October 1930 sentenced Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev to death. An appeal to the Privy Council against the maximum penalty was turned down. Mahatma Gandhi was asked to intervene by several Indian groups. It is said that he made a feeble attempt to do so which amounted to nought and he meekly  concurred with the British Viceroy in going ahead with the executions.

While awaiting execution, Bhagat Singh wrote a 404 page diary and a paper on “Why I am an Atheist”.

Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev were martyred at Lahore Jail on 23.03.31. It is said that seeing the fearlessness with which  the three Revolutionaries were willing to embrace death for their cause, no magistrate was willing to supervise their execution, till an honorary magistrate was appointed for this purpose. 

Fearing nation-wide protests the time of their execution was advanced to an evening before and their families were not allowed to meet them. The cremation of their remains was carried out in great secrecy, since there was an angry mob of Indians waiting outside the front gate.

The Aftermath of the martyrdom of Bhagat Singh and his Associates:

Gandhiji faced Black Flag demonstrations by angry youth who shouted “Down with Gandhi”. In Karachi, Mahatma Gandhi was attacked by a youth. 

The Indian National Congress in keeping with its pacifist policies, while condemning the executions, did precious little to act on the mood of an appalled Nation. 

 Gandhiji wrote in Young India on 29.03.31 that while he praised the efforts of these brave young men, he abided by his policy of non-violence, much against the mood of the Indian Nation.

Subhash Chandra Bose who was a Revolutionary himself, lauded the sacrifice of Bhagat Singh in no uncertain terms mentioning inter alia that he (Bhagat singh) was the “symbol of a new awakening among the youth”.

It is said that Bhagat Singh’s photograph was on sale in every nook and corner of India and for a very long time, his popularity and ultimate sacrifice surpassed that of Mahatma Gandhi himself.

Difference of opinion between the Revolutionary thinking and Mahatma Gandhi inspired Indian National Congress:

The Revolutionaries across India were convinced that given the oppressive nature of British Rule in India, it was their legitimate right to use violence as a weapon to overthrow the oppressors. It was therefore, considered proper to take up armed aggression and engage in acts of violence, to achieve the ultimate goal of Indian Independence.

This thought was diametrically opposed to the Gandhian thought of a freedom movement based on “Ahimsa” (non-violence) and Satyagrah (insistence of a right through peaceful means). 

All prominent Revolutionary thinkers like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Subhash Chandra Bose et al had to leave the Indian National Congress because they thought that the INC’s methods, influenced by Mahatma Gandhi’s methods of achieving ends through non-violence were far too docile to achieve any meaningful Independence from the British Rule. 

Martyrdom and Legacy:

March 23 is the death anniversary of Shaheed (Martyr) Bhagat Singh, who was one of the most dynamic of the Revolutionaries and who willingly paid the ultimate sacrifice for the Independence of India from British Rule and for the ideals that he and his family stood for. 

Bhagat Singh was an inspiration not only as a fearless and bold Freedom Struggle Revolutionary, but also as a social thinker and subscribed to the theory of collective state ownership of the means of production – land, labour and capital. He wrote several papers and articles in his short life in the furtherance of this concept. Bhagat Singh’s death inspired several Indian youth to participate in the Indian Freedom Struggle.

He has been commemorated with a 18-foot tall bronze statue in the Indian Parliament where a statue of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose also stands.

 There are several other memorials all over India as a tribute to his sacrifice.

 A National Martyrs Memorial was built in 1968 on the spot where he was cremated, and which was rebuilt in 1973.

A “Shaheed-e-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh Museum” exists at Khatkar Kalan, his native village.

In 2008, he was voted the “Greatest Indian” in a poll conducted by “India Today” a leading Magazine, ahead of Gandhi and other freedom Struggle leaders, indicating that he is looked upon with pride by a new generation of Indians.

On 23.03.2001 and 2005 the Indian Parliament observed silence as a mark of respect to his memory.

In Pakistan, the Bhagat Singh Foundation of Pakistan has been fighting off stiff opposition (from persons who think that he was an Indian Revolutionary and should not be honoured in Pakistan) to rename the Shadman Chowk (the place where he was executed) as “Bhagat Singh Chowk” to commemorate his sacrifices in the Indian Freedom struggle. 

Commemorative coins issued by the Reserve bank of India:

Commemorative coins have been issued by the Reserve Bank of India commemorating his Birth centenary. Although the approval for issue of this coin had been given by the Government in 2006 so that the coin could be issued in his Centenary Year, however these coins have been issued only in 2012. Strange are the ways of the Government of India/ Reserve Bank of India, when the issue of a Commemorative coin for a prominent freedom fighter like Shaheed Bhagat Singh is taken so lightly.

The reverse of this coin shows the portrait of Shaheed Bhagat Singh flanked on the left periphery by the words “Shaheed Bhagat Singh Janamshati” (in Hindi), and the words “SHAHEED BHAGAT SINGH BIRTH CENTENARY” (in English). His Centenary years “1907- 2007” are shown below his portrait. This coin has been issued by the Hyderabad Mint. Notice the “Star Mint Mark” of the Hyderabad Mint. 

This coin has been contributed for my coin collection by Krishna Tonpe who is constantly on the look-out for unusual/new coins for me.

The obverse of the five rupee coin issued on Shaheed Bhagat Singh has two horizontal lines, dividing this face into three portions. On the top half of this coin are the words “Bharat” (“India” as it is called in Hindi) and “India” (in English). In the centre is the Lion Capitol of the Ashoka Pillar with the legend “Satyameva Jayate” (written in Hindi), meaning “Truth always prevails” on the left hand side, while on the right hand side of the central part of this face is the numeral “5” indicating the denomination of this coin. In the lower section of this coin is mentioned “Rupiye” (in Hindi) and “Rupees’ (in English) showing the currency of issue. This coin has been issued in 2012.

The specifications of this coin are:

Shape: Circular;

 Diameter: 23mm;

Weight: 6 gms;

Composition of Alloy: Ferritic Stainless Steel: 83%; Chromium: 17%.

The coin is security edged on the periphery. At the centre of the edge is a shallow groove with a design inside the two sections separated by blank spaces. The design has a chain of 30 beads in relief and each bead is followed by one inclined line in relief, numbering 30.

The cover of the Commemorative Proof coin Album issued by Hyderabad mint.

 

A brief description of Shaheed Bhagat Singh on the inner cover of the Album containing the five rupee Commemorative coin issued on his Birth centenary.

An image of the obverse of the five rupee Proof coin. The coin is identical to the earlier coin issued for general circulation and also has two horizontal lines, dividing this face into three portions. On the top half of this coin are the words “Bharat” (“India” as it is called in Hindi) and “India” (in English). 

In the centre is the Lion Capitol of the Ashoka Pillar with the legend “Satyameva Jayate” (written in Hindi), meaning “Truth always prevails” on the left hand side, while on the right hand side of the central part of this face is the numeral “5” indicating the denomination of this coin. 

In the lower section of this coin is mentioned “Rupiye” (in Hindi) and “Rupees’ (in English) showing the currency of issue. This coin has been issued in 2012 and received by me in September 2012 from the Hyderabad Mint.

 The reverse of this coin shows the portrait of Shaheed Bhagat Singh flanked on the left periphery by the words “Shaheed Bhagat Singh Janamshati” (in Hindi), and the words “SHAHEED BHAGAT SINGH BIRTH CENTENARY” (in English). His Centenary years “1907- 2007” are shown below his portrait. This coin has been issued by the Hyderabad Mint. Notice the “Star Mint Mark” of the Hyderabad Mint.

Error coin issued by the Hyderabad Mint?

On a second look, there appears to be an error in the Commemorative coin. “SHAHEED” in Hindi appears to be spelt as “SHAHAD” (instead of “SHAHEED”) indicating a questionable quality of minting at the Hyderabad Mint. 

The inner back page of the album. The picture at the bottom right shows a National College group photo of teachers and students. Shaheed Bhagat Singh is standing in the back row (fourth from right).