Bhagat Singh
Bhagat Singh: The Revolutionary Who Shaped Indian History
Full Name and Common Aliases
Bhagat Singh was born on September 28, 1907, in Banga, a small village in the Lyallpur district of Punjab, British India. His full name was Balwant Singh, but he later adopted the pen name Bhagat Singh, which means "devotee of God." He is commonly known as Shaheed Bhagat Singh, with "Shaheed" meaning "martyr" in Urdu.
Birth and Death Dates
Birth Date: September 28, 1907
Death Date: March 23, 1931
Nationality and Profession(s)
Nationality: Indian
Professions: Revolutionary, Journalist, Activist
Early Life and Background
Bhagat Singh was born to a Jat Sikh family in Punjab. His father, Kishan Singh, was a farmer, while his mother, Vidyawati, was a homemaker. Bhagat's early life was marked by tragedy when his parents were killed in a police firing during the 1919 Amritsar Massacre, also known as the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre. This event had a profound impact on young Bhagat, shaping his worldview and fueling his desire for independence from British rule.
Major Accomplishments
Bhagat Singh was a key figure in India's struggle for independence from British colonial rule. He co-founded the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA), which aimed to overthrow British rule through armed revolution. Bhagat Singh and his comrades, including Sukhdev Thapar and Chandrashekhar Azad, carried out several daring operations against the British, including the assassination of British police officers and the bombing of government buildings.
Notable Works or Actions
Some of Bhagat's notable works include:
The Lahore Conspiracy Case: In 1929, Bhagat Singh was arrested for his involvement in a plot to assassinate the British Viceroy, Lord Irwin. The trial became a national sensation, with Bhagat Singh delivering impassioned speeches in court, arguing against British rule and advocating for Indian independence.
The Prison Break: In 1928, Bhagat Singh escaped from police custody while awaiting trial for his involvement in the murder of two British police officers. He was recaptured and later sentenced to death by hanging.
Impact and Legacy
Bhagat Singh's actions had a profound impact on India's struggle for independence. His bravery and sacrifice inspired countless Indians, including Mahatma Gandhi, who recognized Bhagat as a martyr for the nation. After his execution in 1931, Bhagat Singh became an icon of Indian nationalism, with many regarding him as a symbol of resistance against oppression.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Bhagat Singh is widely quoted and remembered due to his unwavering commitment to Indian independence. His writings, speeches, and actions continue to inspire people around the world who seek justice, equality, and freedom from tyranny. As a revolutionary, journalist, and activist, Bhagat Singh's legacy transcends his time and place, offering valuable lessons on courage, conviction, and the power of individual action in shaping history.
Bhagat Singh's quotes are often cited for their eloquence and passion:
"I was born in India. My mother tongue is Punjabi. I am a product of British Imperialism. If it were not for it, I would not have been called Bhagat Singh."
"The revolution can only be brought about through the abolition of private property."
These words, among others, continue to resonate with people today, serving as a reminder of the enduring power of Bhagat Singh's ideas and ideals.
Quotes by Bhagat Singh

In what way can a man believing in God cease believing due to his personal vanity? There are only two ways. The man should either begin to think himself a rival of God, or he may begin to believe himself to be God.

I have altogether failed to comprehend as to how undue pride or vain-gloriousness could ever stand in the way of a man believing in God.

L. Ram Saran Das was sentenced to death in 1915, and the sentence was later commuted to life transportation. Today myself, sitting in the condemned cell, I can let the readers know as authoritatively that the life-imprisonment is comparatively a far harder lot than that of death.

The martyrdom of Lalaji has shaken the Congressmen. Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru is planning something solid to be presented for adoption in the coming session of the Congress, but I am not sure if he would be able to do something.

Compromise is not such ignoble and deplorable a thing as we generally think. It is rather an indispensable factor in the political strategy. Any nation that rises against the oppressors is bound to fail in the beginning and to gain partial reforms during the medieval period of its struggle through compromises.

My applications submitted to the Tribunal regarding my interview during the hunger strike were misinterpreted, and it was published in the press that I was going to offer defence, though in reality I was never willing to offer any defence.

I am still not at all in favour of offering any defence. Even if the court had accepted that petition submitted by some of my co-accused regarding defence, etc., I would not have defended myself.

I have always been of opinion that all the political workers should be indifferent and should never bother about the legal fight in the law courts and should boldly bear the heaviest possible sentences inflicted upon them. They may defend themselves but always from purely political considerations and never from a personal point of view.

I had only one idea before me throughout the trial, i.e. to show complete indifference towards the trial in spite of serious nature of the charges against us.

All the political movements of our country that have hitherto played any important role in our modern history had been lacking in the ideal at the achievement of which they aimed. Revolutionary movement is no exception.