Khatkar Kalan - Birth Place of Bhagat Singh

Birth Place of Bhagat Singh

Born into a Jat Sikh family which had earlier been involved in revolutionary activities against the British Raj, as a teenager Singh studied European revolutionary movements and was attracted to anarchist and marxist ideologies. He became involved in numerous revolutionary organizations, and quickly rose through the ranks of the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) to become one of its main leaders, eventually changing its name to the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) in 1928.

Singh was involved in the assassination of a British police officer, John Saunders, to avenge the death of Lala Lajpat Rai at the hands of the police, but eluded efforts by the police to capture him. Together with Batukeshwar Dutt, he undertook a successful effort to throw two bombs and leaflets inside the Central Legislative Assembly, subsequently volunteering to surrender and be arrested. Held on this charge, he gained widespread national support when he underwent a 116 day fast in jail, demanding equal rights for British and Indian political prisoners. During this time, sufficient evidence was brought against him for a conviction in the Saunders case, after trial by a Special Tribunal and appeal at the Privy Council in England. He was convicted and subsequently hanged for his participation in the murder, aged 23. His legacy prompted youths in India to begin fighting for Indian independence and he continues to be a youth idol in modern India, as well as the inspiration for several films. He was commemorated with a large bronze statue in the Parliament of India, as well as a range of other memorials.