Shaheed Bhagat Singh Birth Anniversary, Biography, Family, Death

Shaheed Bhagat Singh Birth Anniversary is an important event that reflects the life of Shaheed Bhagat Singh. This day commemorates the birth of one of the most influential revolutionaries in the Indian freedom struggle, which is observed on September 28th of every year, this day highlights Bhagat Singh's dedication, courage, and spirit in the fight for India's independence. His life, sacrifice, and revolutionary ideals continue to inspire future generations, particularly UPSC aspirants studying India's freedom movement in depth.

Bhagat Singh Biography

Bhagat Singh was born on September 28, 1907 , in Banga, a village in the Punjab province of Pakistan. Shaheed Bhagat Singh was a key figure in India's fight for independence. His family also fought for freedom and had a long history of participating in the freedom movement, which deeply influenced young Bhagat Singh’s ideals and actions. He was born in a politically set atmosphere where his uncles, Ajit Singh and Swaran Singh , were active revolutionaries. These early influences and actions laid the foundation of Bhagat Singh's revolutionary path.

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Bhagat Singh's Birthplace and Family

Bhagat Singh's birthplace is in the small village of Faisalabad District (previously Lyallpur) in the Punjab province of Pakistan. This region played a significant role in shaping the political consciousness of Punjab and promoting resistance against British rule. Bhagat Singh was born into a patriotic family.

Bhagat Singh inherited his passion for freedom from his family as they are active revolutionaries and protesters who encouraged young Bhagat Singh toward India’s freedom. His father's name was Kishan Singh Sandhu , he was a farmer and an active participant in the Gandhian movement, and his mother's name was Vidyavati Kaur , who supported Bhagat Singh’s revolutionary ideals despite knowing the risks.

Bhagat Singh’s Education and Political Awakening

Bhagat Singh's education played a pivotal role in shaping his revolutionary mindset. He received his early education from Dayanand Anglo-Vedic High School in Lahore, where he shared and was exposed to nationalist ideas. However, the turning point in his life came after the incident of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919, through this incident, Bhagat Singh got deeply disturbed and it also filled him with intense anger toward British rule.

Following this event, he rejected Gandhian non-violent methods, believing that more direct action was necessary to achieve complete independence from British rule. Bhagat Singh later pursued his higher education at the National College in Lahore, founded by Lala Lajpat Rai, where he was exposed to European revolutionary movements and socialist ideologies.

These ideologies supported and solidified his belief in the use of violence and armed struggle instead of hosting non-violence practices by Gandhi Ji to drive out the Britishers from India.

Bhagat Singh’s Contribution to the Freedom Struggle

The contribution of Shaheed Bhagat Singh to the freedom struggle is immeasurable. He was a major member of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) , which was founded in 1928, and based on the principle of complete overthrow of British rule through revolutionary means. His most famous act of open resistance was the assassination of British officer John Saunders in 1928, this was revenge for Lala Lajpat Rai’s death and the bombing of the Central Legislative Assembly in Delhi in 1929.

After attempting these acts of open resistance Shaheed Bhagat Singh did not try to escape from the Britishers like other revolutionaries. Instead, he allowed himself to be arrested, using his trial and imprisonment as platforms to disseminate his revolutionary ideas. He fasted for 116 days while he was in jail to protest against the discriminatory treatment of Indian prisoners as compared to European inmates, this act of Bhagat Singh drew nationwide attention to the cause.

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Death of Shaheed Bhagat Singh

Shaheed Bhagat Singh was convicted and sentenced to death by the British government for his involvement in the assassination of British officer John Saunders and his revolutionary activities. Along with Rajguru and Sukhdev , Bhagat Singh was hanged on March 23, 1931 , in Lahore Central Jail.

His execution was carried out at the young age of 23 , which turned him into a martyr and sparked widespread protests across India which resulted in further intensifying the freedom struggle. March 23 is now observed as Shaheed Diwas to honour his sacrifice.

Bhagat Singh's Famous Quotes and Ideologies

The writings and revolutionary speeches of Shaheed Bhagat Singh highlight his revolutionary zeal and deep understanding of social justice. Some of the Bhagat Singh's famous quotes continue to inspire our youth:

• "They may kill me, but they cannot kill my ideas. They can crush my body, but they will not be able to crush my spirit."

• "Revolution is an inalienable right of mankind. Freedom is an imperishable birthright of all."

• "Merciless criticism and independent thinking are the two necessary traits of revolutionary thinking."

His ideology was rooted in socialism, and he was critical of both imperialism and capitalism. He believed that only by overthrowing these oppressive systems could true independence be achieved by India.

Bhagat Singh’s Books and Writings

Shaheed Bhagat Singh was not just a revolutionary fighter but he was also an intellectual and a prolific writer. His writings and books showcase his deep knowledge of political theory, history, and philosophy. Some of Bhagat Singh's books and notable writings include:

• "Why I am an Atheist" : In this essay, Bhagat Singh critically presented his views on religion and atheism, outlining why he rejected religious principles.
• "The Philosophy of the Bomb" : This essay explains the rationale behind the violent actions undertaken by the HSRA , arguing that such acts were necessary to awaken the populace to the need for India's independence.

His writing continues to be a vital part of understanding the revolutionary aspect of India’s independence movement, often studied by UPSC aspirants to gain deeper insights into his mindset and strategies.

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Importance of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Birth Anniversary for UPSC Preparation

Understanding Shaheed Bhagat Singh's contribution to India's freedom struggle is highly relevant for UPSC preparation, specifically in the context of Prelims GS Paper 1 and Mains GS Paper 1 , which cover Modern Indian History . Here is a detailed breakdown of how Bhagat Singh's legacy fits into the UPSC syllabus:

In the Prelims General Studies Paper 1 , the syllabus includes significant events, personalities, and issues from the modern history of India. Bhagat Singh and the revolutionary movements are crucial aspects of this section.

Key points to focus on:

• Bhagat Singh's association with the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) and the impact of the revolutionary ideology on the freedom struggle.
• Bhagat Singh’s contribution, along with other revolutionaries like Rajguru , Sukhdev , and Chandrasekhar Azad , forms an essential part of questions in prelims.
• His role in events such as the killing of Saunders (1928) and the bombing of the Central Legislative Assembly (1929) could appear as part of significant events in India's freedom struggle.
• The ideological differences between revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh and the non-violent Gandhian approach, understanding these contrasts is important.

The Mains GS Paper 1 has a section on Modern Indian History that covers the freedom struggle, key personalities, movements, and ideologies . Bhagat Singh's role in the revolutionary movement is particularly relevant to questions about the nature of India's freedom struggle, especially regarding the ideological dimensions of resistance.

Conclusion to Shaheed Bhagat Singh Birth Anniversary

Shaheed Bhagat Singh Birth Anniversary is not merely a remembrance of his heroic acts but also a celebration of his vision and ideals for an independent India. Bhagat Singh's life, from his unassuming beginnings in Bhagat Singh's birthplace to his martyrdom at the age of 23, acts as an ongoing inspiration for people who believe in social justice, freedom, and equality. His revolutionary ideals and actions form an essential part of the historical narrative of India's independence, making it vital for UPSC aspirants to study his life and contributions in detail.

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