Table of Contents
Chandra Shekhar Tiwari, also known as Chandrashekhar Azad, was a prominent Indian revolutionary leader and freedom fighter. He played a crucial role in reorganizing the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) after the deaths of its founder, Ram Prasad Bismil, and other key leaders like Roshan Singh, Rajendra Nath Lahiri, and Ashfaqulla Khan.
The organization was renamed the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) under his leadership, often using the alias “Balraj” when signing pamphlets. This biography of Chandrashekhar Azad covers his early life, his revolutionary activities, his contributions to the freedom movement, and the circumstances surrounding his death.
Chandra Shekhar History (Early Life, Education, and Family)
Chandrashekhar Azad, originally known as Chandra Shekhar Tiwari, was born on 23 July 1906 in the present-day Alirajpur district of Madhya Pradesh. His parents were Sitaram Tiwari and Jagrani Devi. His early education took place in Bhavra, and he later pursued higher education at Kashi Vidyapeeth in Banaras.
At a young age, Chandrashekhar Azad joined the non-cooperation movement initiated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1921 to protest the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. His involvement led to his first imprisonment at the age of 15 when he was captured by the British and received a sentence of 15 lashes. After this event, he adopted the surname Azad, becoming known as Chandrashekhar Azad.
Chandra Shekhar Revolutionary Activities
Mahatma Gandhi halted the Non-Cooperation movement in February 1922 due to the Chauri-Chaura incident, a setback for India’s nationalist feelings. He decided that a more substantial strategy would be more effective.
During this period, he connected with several young Indian Revolutionary Leaders. In 1923, Ram Prasad Bismil, Jogesh Chandra Chatterjee, Sachindra Nath Sanyal, Shachindra Nath Bakshi, and Ashfaqulla Khan formed the Hindustan Republican Association.
Ram Prasad Bismil, the creator of the Hindustan Republican Association, was introduced to Chandra Shekhar Azad by a young revolutionary named Manmath Nath Gupta. He joined the association and initiated fundraising, including government property thefts to gather funds.
In 1925, he was part of the Kakori Train Robbery, and in 1928, he avenged Lala Lajpat Rai’s murder by shooting J.P. Saunders in Lahore. He also attempted to sabotage the Viceroy’s train in 1929.
After the Kakori train robbery, the British cracked down on revolutionary movements. Prasad, Ashfaqulla Khan, Thakur Roshan Singh, and Rajendra Nath Lahiri were sentenced to death, while Azad, Keshab Chakravarthy, and Murari Sharma managed to evade capture.
Later, with the help of fellow revolutionaries like Sheo Verma and Mahaveer Singh, Chandra Shekhar Azad reorganized the HRA. He and Bhagat Singh secretly renamed the Hindustan Republican Association as the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association on September 9, 1928, aiming for a socialist-based independent India.
Azad established Jhansi as the HRA’s headquarters for a while, practiced marksmanship in the Orchha forest, and taught others his skills. He lived near a Hanuman temple under the alias Pandit Harishankar Bramhachari and formed strong bonds with the local community, educating children from the nearby Dharampura village.
He also learned to drive a car in Jhansi, and Sadashivrao Malkapurkar, Vishwanath Vaishampayan, and Bhagwan Das Mahaur joined his revolutionary group.
Azad remained loyal to Congress leaders Raghunath Vinayak Dhulekar and Sitaram Bhaskar Bhagwat, staying at Rudra Narayan Singh’s house in Nai Basti and Bhagwat’s residence in Nagra for a period.
Bundelkhand provided significant support, with Dewan Kesri Shatrughan Singh, the father of the Bundelkhand freedom movement, offering financial aid and arms. Azad frequently visited his fort in Mangrauth.
Chandra Shekhar and Bhagat Singh
The Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) was formed in 1923 by Jogesh Chandra Chatterjee, Bismil, Sachindra Nath Bakshi, and Sachindra Nath Sanyal. In 1925, after the Kakori train robbery, the British authorities tried to suppress these freedom fighters.
Ashfaqulla Khan, Prasad, Rajendra Nath Lahiri, and Thakur Roshan Singh were sentenced to death for their involvement in the revolutionary activities.
However, Murari Lal Gupta, Chakravarthy, Azad, and Keshab managed to escape capture. With the assistance of fellow revolutionaries like Mahavir Singh and Shiv Verma, Chandrashekhar Azad reorganized the group.
In 1928, Azad, along with Bhagat Singh and other revolutionaries, discreetly restructured the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA), renaming it the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) on September 8-9. Their main goal was to work towards an independent India based on socialist ideals.
Manmath Nath Gupta, a member of HSRA, documented Azad’s revolutionary activities in various writings. He dedicated a section in his book, “History of the Indian Revolutionary Movement,” to highlight Azad’s contributions, calling it “Chandrashekhar Azad.”
Chandra Shekhar Death
Chandra Shekhar Azad faced a dire situation when he was cornered by the police and ran out of ammunition. In a tragic turn of events, he took his own life on 27 February 1931 at Alfred Park, now famously known as Azad Park in Allahabad.
Prior to this, their former comrade Veerbhadra Tiwari, who had betrayed them, had informed the police of Azad’s whereabouts in the park. As a result, the police surrounded him.
In the ensuing confrontation, Azad was wounded, and Sukhdev Raj managed to kill three police officers and injure others before making his escape.
Azad’s body was discreetly taken to Rasulabad Ghat for cremation, away from the public eye. However, news of the incident quickly spread, leading to a gathering of people at the park. They expressed their anti-British sentiments and paid tribute to Azad through slogans and gratitude.
Chandra Shekhar Quotes in English and Hindi
Chandra Shekhar Azad, a prominent figure in India’s struggle for independence, coined some famous slogans during that time. The following are a few of his notable quotes:
- ‘ऐसी जवानी किसी काम की नहीं, जो अपनी मातृभूमि के काम ना आ सके।’ (Youth is valuable only if it serves the motherland.)
- ‘अब भी जिसका खून ना खौला, वो खून नहीं, वो पानी है; जो देश के काम ना आए, वो बेकार जवानी है।’ (If your blood doesn’t boil for the country, your youth is in vain.)
- Don’t see others doing better than you, beat your own records every day because success is a fight between you and yourself.
- I believe in a religion that propagates freedom, equality and brotherhood.
- A plane is always safe on the ground, but it is not made for that. Always take some meaningful risks in life to achieve great heights.
Chandra Shekhar Legacy
In India, many public institutions, such as schools, roads, and colleges, are named after Chandrashekhar Azad. His character has been portrayed in various films over the years, starting with Jagdish Gautam’s 1963 film “Chandrashekhar Azad” and Manoj Kumar’s 1965 film “Shaheed.”
In the 1965 movie, Bollywood actor Manmohan played Azad, while Sunny Deol took on the role in “23 March 1931: Shaheed.” Azad was also depicted by Akhilendra Mishra in “The Legend of Bhagat Singh” and by Raj Zutshi in “Shaheed-E-Azam.” Aamir Khan portrayed Azad in the film “Rang De Basanti,” directed and produced by Rakesh Omprakash Mehra.
Jawaharlal Nehru, in his autobiography, mentioned meeting Azad shortly before Azad’s death and discussing the impact of the Gandhi-Irwin pact. Nehru was not entirely convinced by Azad’s peaceful methods and saw them as futile.
The lives of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Azad, and Ashfaq were depicted in the 2006 film “Rang De Basanti,” where Aamir Khan played the role of Azad. This movie aimed to inspire today’s youth by showcasing the lives of these young revolutionaries.
In the 2018 television series “Chandrashekhar,” the journey of Chandrashekhar Azad from a young boy to a revolutionary leader was portrayed. Ayaan Zubair depicted Azad’s early life, Dev Joshi portrayed Azad in his teenage years, and Karan Sharma played adult Azad.
FAQs on Chandra Shekhar Biography
Who was Chandrashekhar Azad?
Chandrashekhar Azad, originally named Chandra Shekhar Tiwari, was a prominent Indian revolutionary leader and freedom fighter who played a crucial role in the Indian independence movement.
What role did Chandrashekhar Azad play in the Indian independence movement?
Chandrashekhar Azad was a key figure in reorganizing the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) into the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA). He was involved in various revolutionary activities, including the Kakori Train Robbery and avenging Lala Lajpat Rai's death.
Where was Chandrashekhar Azad born?
Chandrashekhar Azad was born on July 23, 1906, in the present-day Alirajpur district of Madhya Pradesh, India.
What was Chandrashekhar Azad's early education?
He received his early education in Bhavra and later pursued higher education at Kashi Vidyapeeth in Banaras.
How did Chandrashekhar Azad get his name?
After being arrested during a protest against the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, he adopted the name Azad, which means free in Urdu. He became known as Chandrashekhar Azad.
