Chandrashekhar Azad - A Lifestory

Chandrashekhar Azad, born Chandrashekhar Tiwari on July 23, 1906, in Bhabra village, Madhya Pradesh, was a prominent Indian revolutionary who fiercely fought for India's independence. His fiery spirit and unwavering commitment to complete independence, or "Purna Swaraj," made him a pivotal figure in the Indian freedom struggle. Azad's early life was marked by a strong sense of patriotism. He was deeply moved by the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and Mahatma Gandhi's NonCooperation Movement. However, disillusioned by the suspension of the movement in 1922, he gravitated towards more radical ideologies. He joined the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA), later renamed the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA), a revolutionary organization committed to armed struggle.

Azad quickly rose through the ranks of the HSRA, becoming a key strategist and leader. He was involved in several daring acts of defiance against the British Raj, most notably the Kakori train robbery in 1925, which aimed to acquire funds for the revolutionary cause. He also played a significant role in the assassination of J.P. Saunders, a British police officer responsible for the death of Lala Lajpat Rai. Azad was known for his exceptional courage and tactical brilliance, skillfully evading capture by the British police for many years. He vowed to never be captured alive, a promise he tragically kept.

On February 27, 1931, while meeting with a comrade in Alfred Park, Allahabad (now Prayagraj), Azad was surrounded by the police. In a fierce gun battle, he fought valiantly, allowing his comrade to escape. True to his pledge, rather than surrender, he shot himself with his last bullet. Chandrashekhar Azad's sacrifice and unwavering dedication to India's freedom continue to inspire generations. His name remains synonymous with courage, patriotism, and the relentless pursuit of independence.