Chandra Shekhar Azad, born on July 23, 1906, in Bhavra, Madhya Pradesh, was a fearless revolutionary who devoted his life to India's freedom struggle. He swore never to be captured alive by the British, embodying the spirit of resistance throughout his life. On his death anniversary, let’s look at some key moments from his extraordinary life.
1. The Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919 left a deep impression on the young Azad, motivating him to join the Non-Cooperation movement led by Mahatma Gandhi in 1920.
2. At just 15, he was arrested for his involvement in the freedom struggle and was brutally punished with 15 lashes.
3. When presented before a judge, it is said that Azad boldly declared his name as Azad, his father’s name as Swatantrata (Independence), and his residence as “Jail.”
4. He became the chief strategist of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA), leading several key operations.
5. Azad played an active role in the Kakori Train Robbery of 1925 and the shooting of British officer JP Saunders in Lahore in 1928.
6. He made a vow never to be captured alive by the British, a promise he kept until the end.
7. Following the death of Lala Lajpat Rai, Bhagat Singh joined forces with Azad to intensify the fight for freedom.
8. Azad was adamant that all funds raised for the party should only be used for the nation’s cause and not for personal purposes. He personally oversaw the finances to ensure this.
9. On February 27, 1931, surrounded by police in Alfred Park and betrayed by his own associates, Azad chose martyrdom, taking his own life rather than being captured. The park was later renamed Chandra Shekhar Azad Park in his honour.
10. The park was renamed as Amar Shaheed Chandrashekhar Azad Park. It is located in Prayagraj.