LALA LAJPAT RAI
A LEGEND IN THE FREEDOM MOVEMENT 
The function of history is not merely to record but to study the course of events and personalities which shape and determine them. It is the duty of each citizen of India not to be ignorant of the suffering and sacrifice of the fighters of freedom for India. Lala Lajpat Rai was one of those fighters who held aloft the banner of freedom at a great personal risk. Thus in the history of the Indian Freedom Movement the name of Lalaji will be written in the words of gold. Lalaji took the laurels for giving the movement a powerful shape in the whole of the country.
Lala Lajpat Rai was affectionately known as the ‘Lion of the Punjab’ and the ‘Punjab Kesri’. He belonged to a galaxy of illustrious patriots who lived and died for the freedom of India. He was born at village Dhudike in Ferozepur district of the Punjab State on the 28th January, 1865. His was a middle class family. His grandfather Lala Rala Ram was a shopkeeper and his father Lala Radha Krishan was a teacher in a government school. Strange it may look, but many writers have written that in his boyhood his father read to him from Quran and recited Namaz. His father also sometimes fasted during Ramzan. Lalaji did his schooling from the Mission School at Ludhiana and from Ludhiana he went to Lahore for further studies.
He passed his Entrance Examination from the Govt. College, Lahore and qualified for Mukhtarship (Junior Pleader) in 1882. After completing his studies he started his legal practice at Lahore in 1886 and later shifted to Hissar, for practice as a Vakil (Advocate). He got support from Philanthrophists and social workers like Lala Chandu Lal, Lala Lakhpat Rai and Dr. Ramji Lal. At Hissar he was elected as a Member of its Municipal Committee. In fact, he was elected unopposed from a Ward which was predominantly inhabited by the Muslims. He also became successful as an Advocate and because of his popularity as an honest and spirited person he was selected as a delegate from Hissar to attend the Allahabad Session of the Indian National Congress in 1888. His growing interest in political affairs convinced him that Hissar was not the proper place for fulfilling his ambitions and aspirations. Accordingly, he shifted to Lahore in 1894. From 1894 to 1903 he engrossed himself in writing books, articles etc. for preaching social, educational and humanitarian issues. He was never an orthodox Hindu. Rather, he was a nationalist from the core of his heart and a patriot and firm believer in Hindu, Muslim and Sikh unity. He was a man of his convictions. Lalaji had a great attachment for Indian culture and the country from the very childhood. After joining the Congress Party he became so much popular in a very short time that the people called that period as the period of Lal-Bal-Pal namely Lajpat Rai, Bal Ganga Dhar Tilak and Bipan Chandra Pal, all of whom fought against the Britishers. Through the columns of the Tribune (Lahore) and the Punjabi (Lahore) he advocated bold and constructive policies for the Congress and other leaders.
In 1904, at the Bombay Congress Session, he and G.K. Gokhle were selected as congress delegates to visit England for bringing before the British people and political leaders the claims of the people of India. It was a turning point in his political career and also in the history of the nationalist movement. On his return from England, he was a changed man with a firm conviction.
At one stage he was arrested and deported to Mandalay but the British Government seeing his popularity decided to release him just after six months. His brief imprisonment and deportation greatly elevated his stature as a National Hero. However, the events and the developments in the country greatly disturbed him. Divided congress and repression let loose by the Government alarmed him and in his broken state of health he once again went to England in 1908 for a short stay. During this visit he developed friendship with many British politicians including British Members of Parliament like M.R. Hant Davies and Mr. Parker. He also worked for the release of Tilak and many other political leaders while in England. After his return from England in 1910 he, for the first time, condemned the activities of the terrorists declaring them not only against the traditions of India but also a great hindrance in the political progress of the country. In 1914, he was again sent to England by the Congress Party as a Member of the Congress Delegation although the British authorities tried to prevent his departure on the ground that he was involved in the Lahore Conspiracy case and his earlier deportation to Mandalay (in 1907). Having left his country he had to pass a number of years 1914-1919 in exile in England, America and Japan. He attempted to make the Indian issue as an international issue. In Japan, his articles were published in different newspapers. He also delivered lectures in Japanese Universities.
During his stay in America he founded the Indian Home Rule League with its headquarters at New York. A monthly organ of the league entitled “Young India” was started in 1918 under his editorship. He also wrote books depicting a sordid picture of economic exploitation of the country under British Rule. Another Book called “Political Future of India” was written in 1919. His articles in American Newspapers like “The Nations” and “The New Republic” brought to the knowledge of the people of America the glorious past of India and the misrule and exploitation under British Rule. He travelled in America throughout the length and breadth of the country visiting New York, Boston, California, Washington, Atlanta New Orleans, Chicago and San Francisco and made many friends. He created favourable and sympathetic public opinion for American help for India’s freedom. On his return to Bombay he was given a rousing reception by personalities like Bal Gaga Dhar Tilak, Annie Basant, Md. Ali Jinnah and Members of the Bombay Congress Committee. Now he studied the changed situation in India. India of 1920 was radically different from India of 1914 when he had left for abroad. The British Government had adopted a policy of repression and accordingly there was wide spread indignation among Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs against the government. The Punjab was seething with violent anti-British sentiments on account of Jallianwala Bagh. Tragedy of April 1919 and the horrors of martial law regime in the state. It was in this tense atmosphere that the special session of the Congress was held in Calcutta on September 4, 1920 and Lala Lajpat Rai was elected by the All India Congress Committee as its President of that extraordinary session. It was attended by over 25,000 delegates and others. Lalaji charged Sir Michael O’Dyer for all the atrocities and brutalities that had been inflicted on the Punjabis. On return to Punjab he toured different places like Rawalpindi, Hoshiarpur, Ambala, Bhiwani, Hissar etc. His forceful speeches at all the places particularly to the student community resulted in strikes in different colleges in the state including DAV College, Forman Christian College, Dayal Singh College and Sanatam Dharam College. In anger, he renounced his flourishing legal practice. He opposed communalism and the communal representation on the basis of separate electorates. He actually fought for joint electorates throughout his life.
In 1927, the British Government appointed an Indian Statutory Commission headed by Sir John Simon to enquire into the question of Indian reforms. However, the Indians were infuriated because there was not a single Indian Member on it. Thus, it was decided by the people to boycott that commission. Lalaji mobilized public opinion in favour of the boycott. For this purpose he went from Kashmir to Kanya Kumari and addressed the people at many places. The Commission was to arrive at Lahore on October 30, 1928 and Lalaji was leading a mass but peaceful procession against it in front of the Lahore Railway Station. The police attacked the peaceful procession, the attack was unprovoked. Lalaji was severely struck with batons. He was grievously injured. Inspite of his being wounded he carried on his work. On November 4, 1928 he went to Delhi to attend a Seminar of the All Parties and spoke there for sometime. However, he had to come back to Lahore before the seminar concluded due to physical strain. At Lahore, his physician examined him. The pains in the right chest and back became severe. He was in a state of constant exhaustion. Early next morning (17.11.1928) all in the family were stunned when the doctor said that Lalaji was lying in the peaceful sleep of death. The news spread like wild fire. His funeral took place in the afternoon and his last rites were performed on the banks of River Ravi. The mourning people were afire with indignation accusing the Simon Commission’s visit as the cause of his death. The speech of Lala Hansraj in the Central Assembly on the incident of attack on Lala Lajpat Rai speaks volumes that the attack was not only unjustified but also unwarranted, willful, deliberate and pre-planned. I could see both the people and the police he told. We were there for quite sometime when Mr. Scott came through the opening and without any warning gave Lalaji some hard blows with his stick. I was standing next to Lalaji. I extended my left hand to ward off the blows aimed at Lalaji and my hand began to bleed. At this juncture, Dr. Gopi Chand Bhargava, while protecting Lalaji, also received blows. I am positive that if all the blows had fallen on Lalaji, he would have died on the spot. Another important factor was that an unknown person was holding an umbrella over Lalaji that was the only umbrella seen in the entire procession. Some people were saying that the umbrella was held by an intelligence official to make Lalaji conspicuous for attack.
With the death of Lalaji there was revival of terrorism in Punjab. On December 17, 1928, S. Bhagat Singh shot dead Saundres, Asstt. Superintendent of Police, Lahore in broad day light, to avenge the death of Lalaji.
Lalaji was a versatile writer and wrote some short biographies and other books like “Young India”, “The Political Future of India”, “England’s Debt to India”, “Evolution of Japan”, “India, will to Freedom”, “Problem of National Education in India and America”, “Unhappy India” etc. His work in the social reforms and education was also very impressive. He contributed to the growth of different educational institutions like DAV College at Lahore, National College and the Tilak School of Politics. He also founded the Dwarka Dass Library at his residence at Lahore contributing his several hundred volumes. He also worked for destitute children. He founded and built up the Servants of the People Society to enable the patriotic people to devote their time for national service. That society was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi on November 9, 1921. The basic aim of that society was to enlist and train national missionaries for the service of the motherland in educational, cultural, social and economic fields. In short, the life of Lala Lajpat Rai was a rare example of selfless and dedicated service and sacrifice.
Courtesy--Shri Balbir Singh Ahluwalia, Retired Deputy Secretary, Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Chandigarh
From his book As Much As I Know
Lala Lajpat Rai was affectionately known as the ‘Lion of the Punjab’ and the ‘Punjab Kesri’. He belonged to a galaxy of illustrious patriots who lived and died for the freedom of India. He was born at village Dhudike in Ferozepur district of the Punjab State on the 28th January, 1865. His was a middle class family. His grandfather Lala Rala Ram was a shopkeeper and his father Lala Radha Krishan was a teacher in a government school. Strange it may look, but many writers have written that in his boyhood his father read to him from Quran and recited Namaz. His father also sometimes fasted during Ramzan. Lalaji did his schooling from the Mission School at Ludhiana and from Ludhiana he went to Lahore for further studies.
He passed his Entrance Examination from the Govt. College, Lahore and qualified for Mukhtarship (Junior Pleader) in 1882. After completing his studies he started his legal practice at Lahore in 1886 and later shifted to Hissar, for practice as a Vakil (Advocate). He got support from Philanthrophists and social workers like Lala Chandu Lal, Lala Lakhpat Rai and Dr. Ramji Lal. At Hissar he was elected as a Member of its Municipal Committee. In fact, he was elected unopposed from a Ward which was predominantly inhabited by the Muslims. He also became successful as an Advocate and because of his popularity as an honest and spirited person he was selected as a delegate from Hissar to attend the Allahabad Session of the Indian National Congress in 1888. His growing interest in political affairs convinced him that Hissar was not the proper place for fulfilling his ambitions and aspirations. Accordingly, he shifted to Lahore in 1894. From 1894 to 1903 he engrossed himself in writing books, articles etc. for preaching social, educational and humanitarian issues. He was never an orthodox Hindu. Rather, he was a nationalist from the core of his heart and a patriot and firm believer in Hindu, Muslim and Sikh unity. He was a man of his convictions. Lalaji had a great attachment for Indian culture and the country from the very childhood. After joining the Congress Party he became so much popular in a very short time that the people called that period as the period of Lal-Bal-Pal namely Lajpat Rai, Bal Ganga Dhar Tilak and Bipan Chandra Pal, all of whom fought against the Britishers. Through the columns of the Tribune (Lahore) and the Punjabi (Lahore) he advocated bold and constructive policies for the Congress and other leaders.
In 1904, at the Bombay Congress Session, he and G.K. Gokhle were selected as congress delegates to visit England for bringing before the British people and political leaders the claims of the people of India. It was a turning point in his political career and also in the history of the nationalist movement. On his return from England, he was a changed man with a firm conviction.
At one stage he was arrested and deported to Mandalay but the British Government seeing his popularity decided to release him just after six months. His brief imprisonment and deportation greatly elevated his stature as a National Hero. However, the events and the developments in the country greatly disturbed him. Divided congress and repression let loose by the Government alarmed him and in his broken state of health he once again went to England in 1908 for a short stay. During this visit he developed friendship with many British politicians including British Members of Parliament like M.R. Hant Davies and Mr. Parker. He also worked for the release of Tilak and many other political leaders while in England. After his return from England in 1910 he, for the first time, condemned the activities of the terrorists declaring them not only against the traditions of India but also a great hindrance in the political progress of the country. In 1914, he was again sent to England by the Congress Party as a Member of the Congress Delegation although the British authorities tried to prevent his departure on the ground that he was involved in the Lahore Conspiracy case and his earlier deportation to Mandalay (in 1907). Having left his country he had to pass a number of years 1914-1919 in exile in England, America and Japan. He attempted to make the Indian issue as an international issue. In Japan, his articles were published in different newspapers. He also delivered lectures in Japanese Universities.
During his stay in America he founded the Indian Home Rule League with its headquarters at New York. A monthly organ of the league entitled “Young India” was started in 1918 under his editorship. He also wrote books depicting a sordid picture of economic exploitation of the country under British Rule. Another Book called “Political Future of India” was written in 1919. His articles in American Newspapers like “The Nations” and “The New Republic” brought to the knowledge of the people of America the glorious past of India and the misrule and exploitation under British Rule. He travelled in America throughout the length and breadth of the country visiting New York, Boston, California, Washington, Atlanta New Orleans, Chicago and San Francisco and made many friends. He created favourable and sympathetic public opinion for American help for India’s freedom. On his return to Bombay he was given a rousing reception by personalities like Bal Gaga Dhar Tilak, Annie Basant, Md. Ali Jinnah and Members of the Bombay Congress Committee. Now he studied the changed situation in India. India of 1920 was radically different from India of 1914 when he had left for abroad. The British Government had adopted a policy of repression and accordingly there was wide spread indignation among Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs against the government. The Punjab was seething with violent anti-British sentiments on account of Jallianwala Bagh. Tragedy of April 1919 and the horrors of martial law regime in the state. It was in this tense atmosphere that the special session of the Congress was held in Calcutta on September 4, 1920 and Lala Lajpat Rai was elected by the All India Congress Committee as its President of that extraordinary session. It was attended by over 25,000 delegates and others. Lalaji charged Sir Michael O’Dyer for all the atrocities and brutalities that had been inflicted on the Punjabis. On return to Punjab he toured different places like Rawalpindi, Hoshiarpur, Ambala, Bhiwani, Hissar etc. His forceful speeches at all the places particularly to the student community resulted in strikes in different colleges in the state including DAV College, Forman Christian College, Dayal Singh College and Sanatam Dharam College. In anger, he renounced his flourishing legal practice. He opposed communalism and the communal representation on the basis of separate electorates. He actually fought for joint electorates throughout his life.
In 1927, the British Government appointed an Indian Statutory Commission headed by Sir John Simon to enquire into the question of Indian reforms. However, the Indians were infuriated because there was not a single Indian Member on it. Thus, it was decided by the people to boycott that commission. Lalaji mobilized public opinion in favour of the boycott. For this purpose he went from Kashmir to Kanya Kumari and addressed the people at many places. The Commission was to arrive at Lahore on October 30, 1928 and Lalaji was leading a mass but peaceful procession against it in front of the Lahore Railway Station. The police attacked the peaceful procession, the attack was unprovoked. Lalaji was severely struck with batons. He was grievously injured. Inspite of his being wounded he carried on his work. On November 4, 1928 he went to Delhi to attend a Seminar of the All Parties and spoke there for sometime. However, he had to come back to Lahore before the seminar concluded due to physical strain. At Lahore, his physician examined him. The pains in the right chest and back became severe. He was in a state of constant exhaustion. Early next morning (17.11.1928) all in the family were stunned when the doctor said that Lalaji was lying in the peaceful sleep of death. The news spread like wild fire. His funeral took place in the afternoon and his last rites were performed on the banks of River Ravi. The mourning people were afire with indignation accusing the Simon Commission’s visit as the cause of his death. The speech of Lala Hansraj in the Central Assembly on the incident of attack on Lala Lajpat Rai speaks volumes that the attack was not only unjustified but also unwarranted, willful, deliberate and pre-planned. I could see both the people and the police he told. We were there for quite sometime when Mr. Scott came through the opening and without any warning gave Lalaji some hard blows with his stick. I was standing next to Lalaji. I extended my left hand to ward off the blows aimed at Lalaji and my hand began to bleed. At this juncture, Dr. Gopi Chand Bhargava, while protecting Lalaji, also received blows. I am positive that if all the blows had fallen on Lalaji, he would have died on the spot. Another important factor was that an unknown person was holding an umbrella over Lalaji that was the only umbrella seen in the entire procession. Some people were saying that the umbrella was held by an intelligence official to make Lalaji conspicuous for attack.
With the death of Lalaji there was revival of terrorism in Punjab. On December 17, 1928, S. Bhagat Singh shot dead Saundres, Asstt. Superintendent of Police, Lahore in broad day light, to avenge the death of Lalaji.
Lalaji was a versatile writer and wrote some short biographies and other books like “Young India”, “The Political Future of India”, “England’s Debt to India”, “Evolution of Japan”, “India, will to Freedom”, “Problem of National Education in India and America”, “Unhappy India” etc. His work in the social reforms and education was also very impressive. He contributed to the growth of different educational institutions like DAV College at Lahore, National College and the Tilak School of Politics. He also founded the Dwarka Dass Library at his residence at Lahore contributing his several hundred volumes. He also worked for destitute children. He founded and built up the Servants of the People Society to enable the patriotic people to devote their time for national service. That society was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi on November 9, 1921. The basic aim of that society was to enlist and train national missionaries for the service of the motherland in educational, cultural, social and economic fields. In short, the life of Lala Lajpat Rai was a rare example of selfless and dedicated service and sacrifice.
Courtesy--Shri Balbir Singh Ahluwalia, Retired Deputy Secretary, Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Chandigarh
From his book As Much As I Know
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