CHANDRA SHEKHAR AZAD (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 - History)

Context: The Prime Minister of India has paid tributes to Chandra Shekhar Azad on his birth anniversary.

Chandra Shekhar Azad

• Birth: He was born on 23 July 1906 in the Alirajpur district of Madhya Pradesh.
• Early Life: At the age of 15, Chandra Shekhar joined the Non-Cooperation Movement in December 1921 and was subsequently arrested. During his court appearance, he adopted the name “Azad,” meaning “The Free,” which became his permanent identity.
• Entry into Politics: In 1921, Chandra Shekhar Azad joined the Non-Cooperation Movement, marking his entry into political activism at a young age.
• Arrest and Defiance: In December 1921, after his arrest, Azad displayed defiance by giving his name as “Azad,” his father’s name as “Swatantrata” (Independence), and his residence as “Jail.”
• Hindustan Republican Association (HRA): After the Non-Cooperation Movement was suspended in 1922, Azad joined the HRA, a revolutionary organization founded in 1924 in East Bengal.
• Kakori Conspiracy: HRA members, including Azad, were involved in the Kakori Train Robbery in 1925, which was a significant act of revolutionary fundraising.
• Reorganization into HSRA: The HRA was reorganized into the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) in 1928. The HSRA, established at Feroz Shah Kotla in New Delhi by Azad and others, continued the revolutionary struggle against British rule.
• Death: On 27 February 1931, Azad was surrounded by police in Alfred Park (now Azad Park) in Allahabad. After a fierce shootout, he fought bravely, allowing his comrades to escape, and ultimately shot himself with his last bullet to avoid capture.
• Legacy: Chandra Shekhar Azad remains a symbol of fearless patriotism and dedication to the cause of Indian independence. His commitment to revolutionary ideals and sacrifices in the struggle against British rule are widely honored.