Historical Figure
Bhagat Singh (b. 1907)
d. 1931
Indian revolutionary (1907–1931)
Talk to Bhagat Singh (b. 1907)
Have a conversation with this historical figure through AI
Biography
Bhagat Singh was an Indian anti-colonial revolutionary who participated in the mistaken murder of a junior British police officer in December 1928 in what was intended to be retaliation for the death of an Indian nationalist. He later took part in a largely symbolic bombing of the Central Legislative Assembly in Delhi and a hunger strike in jail, which—on the back of sympathetic coverage in Indian-owned newspapers—turned him into a household name in the Punjab region, and, after his execution at age 23, a martyr and folk hero in Northern India. Borrowing ideas from Bolshevism and anarchism, the charismatic Bhagat Singh electrified a growing militancy in India in the 1930s and prompted urgent introspection within the Indian National Congress's nonviolent, and eventually successful, campaign for India's independence.
In Their Own Words (5)
If the deaf are to hear, the sound has to be very loud. When we dropped the bomb, it was not our intention to kill anybody. We have bombed the British Government. The British must quit India and make her free.
As quoted in Awakening Indians to India (2008), p. 82 , 2008
Revolution means action. It means a change brought about deliberately by an organized and systematic work, as opposed to sudden and unorganised or spontaneous change or breakdown.
To Young Political Workers (1931) , 1931
Compromise is an essential weapon which has to be wielded every now and then as the struggle develops. But the thing that we must keep always before us is the idea of the movement. We must always maintain a clear notion as to the aim for the achievement of which we are fighting.
To Young Political Workers (1931) , 1931
I do not mean that bombs and pistols are useless, rather the contrary. But I mean to say that mere bomb-throwing is not only useless but sometimes harmful.
To Young Political Workers (1931) , 1931
Any man who stands for progress has to criticize, disbelieve and challenge every item of the old faith. Item by item he has to reason out every nook and corner of the prevailing faith. If after considerable reasoning one is led to believe in any theory or philosophy, his faith is welcomed. His reasoning can be mistaken, wrong, misled and sometimes fallacious. But he is liable to correction because reason is the guiding star of his life. But mere faith and blind faith is dangerous: it dulls the brain, and makes a man reactionary.
Why I am an atheist? (1930) , 1930
Timeline
The story of Bhagat Singh (b. 1907), told in moments.
Founded the Naujawan Bharat Sabha (Youth Society of India) to organize peasants and workers. Drew heavily on Marxist and anarchist writings. He was 18.
Shot and killed British police officer J.P. Saunders in Lahore. The intended target was Superintendent James Scott, who'd ordered the lathi charge that fatally injured Lala Lajpat Rai. Wrong man.
Threw smoke bombs into the Central Legislative Assembly in Delhi with Batukeshwar Dutt. The bombs were designed not to kill. He shouted "Inquilab Zindabad!" and surrendered willingly.
Hanged at Lahore Central Jail at age 23. The execution was moved up by several hours and carried out in secret to avoid crowds. His body was cremated on the banks of the Sutlej River.
More from the Interwar & WWII
Explore what happened on the days that shaped Bhagat Singh (b. 1907)'s life. Today In History connects historical figures with the events, births, and deaths that defined their era. Browse all historical figures or explore today's events.