Source: DD News
Subject: History
Context: Prime Minister paid heartfelt tributes to the revolutionary Chandrashekhar Azad marking his Martyrdom Day and recalling his supreme sacrifice and unwavering resolve against injustice.
About Chandrashekhar Azad:
Who He Was?
- Chandrashekhar Azad (born Chandra Shekhar Sitaram Tiwari) was one of India’s most fearless and potent revolutionaries.
- Known for his mental and physical dexterity—earning him the nickname Quick Silver—he led a militant youth movement and famously vowed never to be captured alive by the British.
Early Life:
- Birth: July 23, 1906, in Bhabra, Alirajpur (Madhya Pradesh).
- Education: He grew up in poverty and later attended a Sanskrit school in Varanasi.
- The Naming: After being arrested at age 15 during the Non-Cooperation Movement, he told the magistrate his name was Azad (Free), his father’s name was Swatantra (Independent), and his home was Jail. Following a severe flogging, he adopted Azad as his permanent title.
Contribution to Freedom Movement:
- Shift to Militancy: Disappointed by the suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement after the Chauri Chaura incident, he embraced extremist methods to achieve independence.
- Kakori Conspiracy (1925): He was a key participant in the Kakori train robbery. While others were caught, Azad successfully evaded capture and fled to Jhansi.
- Lahore Conspiracy (1928): Along with Bhagat Singh and Rajguru, he executed the assassination of British officer John Saunders to avenge the death of Lala Lajpat Rai.
Organizations Associated:
- Hindustan Republican Association (HRA): Joined under the leadership of Ram Prasad Bismil.
- Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA): After the crackdown on the HRA, Azad reorganized the group into the HSRA, serving as a key leader alongside Bhagat Singh.
- He used the name Balraj to sign official HSRA statements and lived under the disguise of a teacher named Harishankar in Jhansi.
Last Days:
- On February 27, 1931, Azad was betrayed and surrounded by police at Alfred Park (now Azad Park) in Allahabad.
- After a fierce gun battle where he helped his comrade Sukhdev Raj escape, Azad died at the age of 24.
