Chandra Shekhar Azad (1906-1931)

On February 27, 1931, revolutionary leader Chandra Shekhar Azad, the commander-in-chief of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association, laid down his life in a gun battle with British policemen in what was then known as Alfred Park in Allahabad (now Azad Park in Prayagraj).

Who was Chandra Shekhar Azad?

• Chandra Shekhar Azad was one of India’s most significant freedom fighters. Despite his young age of only 24 when he died on February 27, 1931, Azad’s legacy continues to inspire.
• Chandra Shekhar was born on July 23, 1906, in Alirajpur (Madhya Pradesh). Coming from a poor family, he briefly worked in Bombay before moving to Benares (now Varanasi), where he was enrolled in a Sanskrit school.
• Involvement in the Non-Cooperation Movement: In Benares, Azad became involved in political activities. He joined youth groups organized by the Congress and participated in protests against British rule, including picketing liquor shops. This led to his arrest.
• The Formation of ‘Azad’: During his trial, when the judge asked his name, Azad responded, “My name is Azad, my father’s name is Swatantra (Independence), and my address is Jail.” The judge ordered 15 lashes as punishment, but it was this incident that led Chandra Shekhar to adopt the name ‘Azad,’ meaning ‘free’ in Hindi, vowing never to be captured alive.
• Azad's Shift to Revolutionary Politics
  • Frustration with Gandhi’s Non-Cooperation Movement: In 1922, when Mahatma Gandhi called off the Non-Cooperation Movement after the Chauri Chaura incident, Azad felt betrayed. This led him to abandon Gandhian methods and embrace more radical, revolutionary politics.
  • Joining the Hindustan Republican Army (HRA): Azad became part of the HRA, led by Ram Prasad Bismil and Sachindranath Sanyal, which sought to use armed struggle to gain India’s independence. The HRA raised funds through political dacoities (robberies), one of the most famous being the Kakori train robbery in 1925.
  • Escape from Authorities: Azad was the only one to escape the authorities after the Kakori robbery. He took refuge in Jhansi until the trial was over and continued to organize revolutionary activities.
• Formation of HSRA and Key Actions
  • Meeting Bhagat Singh and Formation of HSRA: In 1928, Azad met Bhagat Singh. The two revolutionaries, along with other young fighters, formed the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA), a more radical successor to the HRA.
    • While Bhagat Singh was the ideological leader, Azad was the military strategist and planner for the group.
    • He was responsible for training revolutionaries in arms and executing critical actions.
  • Assassination of J.P. Saunders: One of the most notable acts of Azad’s leadership was the planning and execution of the assassination of J.P. Saunders, a British police officer responsible for the lathi charge that led to the death of Lala Lajpat Rai. Bhagat Singh and Rajguru shot Saunders, while Azad killed a constable who chased them.
  • Bombing of the Central Assembly: In 1929, Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt bombed the Central Assembly in Delhi to protest against repressive laws. Although they were arrested, the HSRA continued its efforts for the independence struggle.

The Last Stand and Martyrdom

• Crackdown on HSRA: After the bombing in Delhi, the British government cracked down on the HSRA, arresting many of its leaders. Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev were sentenced to death for the murder of Saunders.
• Azad’s Continued Resistance: Despite the British crackdown, Azad remained free, planning to help Bhagat Singh and others escape. His ultimate goal was to continue the fight for independence, but his luck was running out.
• The Last Battle at Alfred Park: On February 27, 1931, Azad was on his way to meet fellow revolutionary Sukhdev Raj at Alfred Park in Allahabad when the police surrounded the area. Outnumbered and outgunned, Azad fought back fiercely. He killed three policemen before he was injured.
  • With only one bullet left in his pistol and determined to never be captured alive, Azad shot himself in the head. This act ensured that he remained true to his resolve. Though some accounts suggest he succumbed to his injuries instead, the story of his self-inflicted death remains a symbol of his indomitable spirit.
  • The British hurriedly cremated his body, and the park where Azad died was later named Azad Park. A memorial plaque was erected at the site to honor his sacrifice.