The Life and Times of Chandrashekhar Azad, by Bharat Bhushan.

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The Life and Times of Chandrashekhar Azad

by Bharat Bhushan.

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The original of this work having been penned in Hindi, the difference of styles of idioms and more shows clearly in this translation.

It's written with great sincere emotion for the freedom fighter and his character, his work and his parents who allowed this maverick to find his own way, but it cannot be called an extensively documented work with supporting material.

Life of this famous freedom fighter, however, is a matter of legend, and it perhaps was known, to the extent the scant details were permitted to escape.

For the new generations not so familiar with Chandrashekhar Azad, it's a valuable work to find an opportunity to familiarise oneself with the subject.

The history allowed to be taught post independence was biased in both ways, refraining from details of works of others and giving only scanty details of those intended by congress for hero worship, so it comes as a surprise when author has Chandrashekhar Azad work in Bombay and then travel to Kanpur specifically to meet Savarkar.

It's even more so when author proceeds with their meeting, where it's Savarkar who introduces Bhagat Singh to Chandrashekhar Azad.

Further details were, not exactly as, but somewhat along the spirit of depiction, in the film one saw, but one wasn't aware of Savarkar having been there! Naturally it raises questions.

Was the film director aiming to avoid mention of Savarkar, and thus distort history?

Or is it the author here romanticising in his thrilling account, depicting this meeting of three great freedom warriors, the senior introducing the junior to the younger?

One tends to think the former, since the latter would bring the author targeted stone pelting by congress and associated parties, even if verbal.

Avoiding giving credit to Savarkar has been safer since Nehru policy of trying to execute him for murder of Gandhi, where he wasn’t involved - as per decision of court, despite government efforts to the contrary. So a filmmaker playing safe is easily understood.

Next chapter is similar, leaving one wondering again, except this is not involving Savarkar, but mother of Chandrashekhar Azad.

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The kindle edition we have gives details of the book including

ASIN:- B01N6Y1B4N

When searching in goodreads, this is the result -

"One result for “B01N6Y1B4N”

White Fang

by Jack London"

This has never happened before, so far.

However, when searching on Kindle Unlimited,

ASIN:- B01N6Y1B4N

works to find one's copy.

ASIN:- B08G1TJ1WN

Brings forth one not on Kindle Unlimited. ................................................................................................

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CONTENTS

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1 A Fearless Kid

2 Education

3 Political Upheaval

4 A Night Spent Behind Bars

5 Azad is Born

6 The First Step

7 Strength of Character

8 In the Guise of a Sadhu, But…

9 Self-sacrifice is Thy Name

10 Word of Honour

11 Mother vs. Mother

12 Kakori Train Robbery

13 A New Chapter

14 Mother: Epitome of Love

15 Death Before Dishonour

16 HRA Reconstituted…

(…and a cop shown his place)

17 A Daring Act

18 The Second Strike

19 Revenge Gone Wrong

20 The Great Escape

21 Motilal Meets the Wordsmith

22 Valour, Not Vanity

23 Bhagat Invokes Gandhi

24 A Blast and a Message

25 The Conflict Within

26 Betrayal

27 Artful Deception

28 The Final Conflict

29 An Inextinguishable Flame

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REVIEW

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AUTHOR'S NOTE

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"In the 1995 historical biopic Braveheart, ... one is reminded of the dialogue of Scottish warrior, William Wallace, who, in order to galvanise his rag-tag band of Scots in the war for Independence, says, “...and dying in your beds many years from now, would you be willing to trade all the days for one chance, just once chance, to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they’ll never take our freedom.”

"I happen to recall the dialogue because it encapsulates the spirit of living freely without the fetters of constraint. It’s emblematic of the basic human right for space, for freedom without anyone dictating terms. It’s about revolting against injustice. Most of all, it’s about not living with the regret of abject surrender, the regret of not rising against subjugation and the regret of fearing the consequences. It’s about acknowledging that we will all die eventually. So, rather than tiptoe safely to it, embrace life and take risks. If you are born free, have the spunk to live and die honourably.

"Chandrashekhar Azad’s short and chequered life of a revolutionary is remembered in the annals of the history of India’s freedom struggle not merely for his indomitability in the face of odds, but for the human values he cherished. In today’s world, with the edifice of every conceivable value crumbling all around us, Azad’s life offers a paradigm for the redemption of a generation resigned to shallow ideals. Adversity came a dime a dozen to this village youth born to poor parents rich in morality and humaneness. It’s the roots that determine the actions of a person and actions, his destiny. Azad learnt from his parents the basic lessons in compassion, moral rectitude and probity. These were the qualities that he brought to bear on his mission in life – fight for justice, the nucleus of which was India’s Independence.

"At a time when we seem to be taking our freedom for granted, Azad’s biography is a reminder of the blood and toil that went into securing it. The road to preservation of freedom must be hemmed with respect for what we have, for being fortunate to be able to breathe in free air. The crucial caveat embedded in Azad’s biography is that we face a far greater threat from the enemies within than from enemies without. Our twisted mindset, egocentricity and avarice are frailties we will do well to curb. This book is an effort to motivate readers to introspect over some such issues. Chandrashekhar Azad’s biography helps put the issues in perspective."

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July 16, 2022 - July 16, 2022.

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1. A FEARLESS KID

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"Going by his staid looks and formidable reputation as a teacher, no student in the village would look Manohar Lal Trivedi in the eye. But this student, who was barely six, was different. In his heart of hearts, Trivedi knew it. However, he wanted to be sure of his student’s merit. “Is he receptive to what I teach? I will mispronounce a word to find out,” he thought. What he wasn’t prepared for was the denouement of this little test.

"No sooner did Trivedi mispronounce the word, than his student corrected him. Before Trivedi could utter a word of praise, the kid picked up a cane that lay beside him and hit his teacher twice. Everyone was stunned. The kid’s father somehow regained his equanimity in a few moments and rushed ahead to teach his son a lesson for his incivility. Trivedi, who was yet to come out of his shock, stopped him. “Why did you do this, son? Aren’t you aware that such behaviour towards your teacher is reprehensible?” he asked the kid. “I know, sir,” replied the kid without batting an eyelid. “But I wasn’t being arrogant or uncivil. My contention is that you punish students if they make a mistake. By the same yardstick, if you make a mistake, shouldn’t you be punished too? Justice must be served both ways.” Trivedi, who had been listening carefully, smiled at the child and told his father, “You have no ordinary son, Panditjee. Someday, he will make the country proud with his heroic deeds.

"Trivedi’s words could not have proved more prophetic. Chandrashekhar Azad, the understated, and at times, underrated revolutionary, who gave India’s freedom struggle its moments of triumph by dint of his doughty spirit, lived by his pledge of justice and equality. The man who breathed honesty, courage and sacrifice, inspiring a host of revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev Thapar and Shivaram Hari Rajguru, still holds a beacon to the modern society, scourged by meretricious principles, on what it means to live and die with honour."

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”Chandrashekhar Azad was born Chandrashekhar Tiwari on July 23, 1906 in a non-descript village called Bhavra in Alirajpur, an estate in Madhya Pradesh. ... The British Raj was running out of patience. The more people revolted, the more sadistic disregard it showed for their anguish, bringing the sledge-hammer down with double the force to quell all acts of opposition. Scores and scores of people perished, and those who lived did not want to bow out without a fight.”

"They say poverty makes a person cringe in abject surrender. Even the incorruptible turn corrupt. But not so with Sitaram. He lost his job with the forest department, bought a few cattle and lost them too in the ravaging drought of 1912. Then it was a menial job with a government garden. He was strained to make the ends meet, but the lows of life could not tweak his honesty. He never ever brought home anything from the garden. “To covet what belongs to others is a sin,” he used to say. Such qualities of nature are genetically passed on to the offspring, or so they say. They must be, if Chandrashekhar’s unimpeachable honesty is anything to go by.

"Despite his severely limited finances, Sitaram left no stone unturned to ensure that Chandrashekhar got the best of education. It was no mean thing at that time to get the best teacher of the village, Manohar Lal Trivedi to tutor Chandrashekhar at home."

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"Chandrashekhar was barely five, when on the day of Diwali, a thought struck him. If one matchstick could create a flash, what kind of resplendence could all sticks in a matchbox lighted at once create? His friends thought he was crazy. Chandrashekhar didn’t think twice. He lighted all the matchsticks at once, created a dazzle, burning his fingers in the process. When someone told him he was bleeding, he said, “Oh, is that so? It doesn’t matter. There’s no gain without pain. But tell me, wasn’t the light beautiful?”

"There was this haunted pond in the village where everyone feared to set foot at night. “Really? I haven’t ever met a ghost. Maybe, it’s time to meet one,” said the little Chandrashekhar as he accepted his friends’ challenge to make it to the pond one night. He went and came back, deeply dejected. Reason? No ghost came to meet him."

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July 16, 2022 - July 16, 2022.

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2. EDUCATION

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"At the age of 14, after completing his school finals, Chandrashekhar, who was too restless to stay at one place for too long, wished to move to Kashi for higher studies. Kashi was then the hub of learning and the learned who came from all parts of the globe. A pall of despondency descended on Sitaram and Jagrani, who couldn’t imagine of Chandrashekhar leaving them. Jagrani’s tears shackled Chandrashekhar and he acquiesced to his mother’s wish to stay on.

"Not for long, though. How could one think of putting a stallion in fetters? Chandrashekhar soon grew bored of the village grind and one fine day, left his house for Kashi. Having reached there, he wrote a letter to his father, the contents of which went something like this: “Dear father, I know I have pained you and mother by leaving home abruptly without your permission. I have, in the past, made many mistakes for which you have graciously forgiven me. This time too, I seek your forgiveness, which, I am sure, you will grant. I need to acquire greater skills in academics which, I can only if I stay in Kashi. I hope you will understand. Soon enough, I shall come to meet you both and find solace once again at your feet.”

"Those were the days when the affluent paid huge donations to ashrams and dharmashalas to cater free to students interested in learning Sanskrit. There were scholars who taught students for free. Chandrashekhar found refuge in such a dharmashala."

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July 16, 2022 - July 16, 2022.

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3. POLITICAL UPHEAVAL

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" ... A committee was constituted on December 10, 1917 with Justice A.S.T. Rowlett as president and four members, namely Basel Scott, Chief Justice, Bombay High Court, Coomer Swami Shastri, Justice, Madras High Court, Burney Lorett, member, Board of Revenue, Uttar Pradesh and Prabhat Chandra Mitra, advocate, Calcutta High Court. The motto: investigate, identify the activities of revolutionaries and make a ‘Law’ to subjugate them.

"What emerged from the exercise was a mockery of law. Almost two years later, a 226-page report branded all those who even uttered the word ‘freedom’ as rebels and all agitations as ‘rebellion’, even if they were non-violent. The report recommended extensive powers to the police, entitling them to make arrests and take punitive measures without adequate evidence. The administration was quick to accept the recommendations and thus was born the ‘Rowlett Act’."

" ... A huge procession led by Swami Shraddhanand, an Arya Samaj missionary, was taken out against the Draconian Act. Despite the police threatening to shoot him down, an unperturbed Shraddhanand moved on. The police opened fire, killing six and injuring dozens of others.

"The unspeakable horror of cruelty cemented ties between the Hindus and the Muslims. Hindus publicly drank water from the hands of the Muslims, which was hitherto unheard of. On April 4, 1919, Swami Shraddhanand delivered a speech from the confines of the Shahi Jama Masjid reciting passages from the Vedas. One of the golden moments of religious amity in Indian history, it rattled the British known for their ‘divide-and-rule’ ploy."

"Processions were taken out, people wore black badges and violence continued unabated. Effigies of the British Emperor, George V, were burnt on the streets. The silver lining in the ensuing tumult was that people rose above their petty considerations to gift India the tenacity of oneness.

"The British administration was trembling with rage. They needed to teach the ‘bloody Indians’ a lesson."

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"April 13, 1919:

"What the British thought was an opportunity to quell rebellion, became the worst example of beastly behaviour in human history. It was Baisakhi day and a peaceful meeting was on at Jallianwala Bagh, a public garden in Amritsar. Brigadier-General Reginald E.H. Dyer, who had earlier banned all public meetings for fear of insurrection, reached the spot and without warning, blocked the only narrow exit of the walled garden. Dyer then ordered his troops to begin shooting towards the densest sections of the crowd (including women and children). Firing continued for approximately 10 minutes. Ceasefire was ordered only when ammunition supplies were almost exhausted and after approximately 1,650 rounds were fired. Many people died in a stampede at the narrow gate, several others died when they jumped into the solitary well on the compound to escape the shooting. A plaque in the monument at the site, set up after Independence, says that 120 bodies were pulled out of the well. The wounded could not be moved from where they had fallen, as a curfew was declared and many more died during the night. Of the 15,000 to 20,000 people gathered there, over 1,000 were killed and scores of others wounded.

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"The horrific incident numbed not merely India, but the rest of the world. Even British statesman Sir Winston Churchill and the first Earl of Oxford, Herbert Henry Asquith condemned Dyer’s action. Poet and Nobel laureate, Rabindranath Tagore renounced his knighthood as a symbolic mark of protest. India was incensed. The protests reached a crescendo. At a commission constituted to probe the disturbances in Punjab, an unapologetically phlegmatic General Dyer said, “This act was not to disperse the meeting, but to punish the Indians for disobedience.” No action was taken against Dyer. He was merely relieved of his command.

"Actually, the top brass of the British administration had condoned Dyer. Jallianwala Bagh was widely viewed as an orchestrated act done with the blessings of those who mattered in the corridors of power. Even before the dust could settle on the ghastly incident, the British heaped further cruelty upon the Indians. Bombs were dropped, Indians were made to salute white men, Hindus and Muslims were tied together and taken out in a procession, marriage parties were flogged, wayfarers were forced to act as coolies, schoolchildren were forced to salute the British flag thrice a day…the list of atrocities was endless. All this was done to break the spine of revolt, once and for all.

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" ... Chandrashekhar remained a mute spectator. His blood boiled with rage as he read the daily newspapers. He could not bear the vilification of his motherland. A tornado of revolt was building up within him. It was only a matter of time before the tiger was let out of the cage."

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July 16, 2022 - July 16, 2022.

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4. A NIGHT SPENT BEHIND BARS

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"“If your blood does not rage, then it’s water that flows in your veins. What use is the flush of youth if it is of no service to the motherland?”

"—Chandrashekhar Azad"

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" ... Chandrashekhar was silently watching a band of peaceful processionists picketing a shop selling foreign goods, when a posse of policemen arrived at the spot. They ran amok and started caning the people. This was the first instance Chandrashekhar was witness to an unprovoked act of cruelty. He couldn’t contain himself. Picking up a stone, he threw it at a cop. The stone found its target and the policeman began to bleed from his forehead. As the other cops ran to nab him, Chandrashekhar managed to give them the slip. However, a search conducted at the local dharmashalas did him in. He was apprehended and brought to the police station.

"Had it not been for his age, Chandrashekhar would have been pounded to pulp for assaulting a police officer. The officer-in-charge (OC) took pity on him and dismissed the case as a stray incident. One night behind bars and that will bring the boy to his senses, he thought. He was gravely mistaken.

"The winter chill was cutting through the bones. Chandrashekhar had no warm clothes on him. About midnight, the OC imagined Chandrashekhar would be shivering and would fall at his feet, begging for mercy. He wanted to check out on the guy. What he saw took his breath away. Chandrashekhar was constantly doing push-ups to avoid the cold, as sweat trickled down his forehead. Jolted by the lad’s dauntless spirit, the OC retired to bed.

"Little did he know that history was waiting to be inked at the court the following day."

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July 16, 2022 - July 16, 2022.

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5. AZAD IS BORN

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"“Your name?”

"“Azad.”

"“Father’s name?”

"“Independent.”

"The audacity of a minor hit Khareghat’s ego. With a piercing look, he asked, “Where do you live?”

"“In jail.”

"That was it. The magistrate blew his top. “15 lashes for this insolent lad,” was his verdict.

"A sizeable crowd gathered to see if Chandrashekhar could withstand 15 whips of a cane. A hardened criminal would be screaming for his life after 10 lashes. Poor chap, he is bound to pass out.

" ... With each lash, Chandrashekhar cried, “Mahatma Gandhi Ki Jai, Bharat Mata Ki Jai” without the slightest bit of flinch appearing on his visage. As each lash sliced through the skin, Chandrashekhar’s cries became louder still. Blood oozed out of his back and spilled on to the ground. The crowd stood transfixed ... "

"The news spread like wildfire throughout the town. A mammoth crowd congregated at the jail gate to welcome the young hero. The people lifted Chandrashekhar on their shoulders as the skies reverberated with the slogans “Bharat Mata Ki Jai, Mahatma Gandhi Ki Jai, Chandrashekhar Azad Ki Jai.” Public meetings were organised to acknowledge Chandrashekhar’s courage. A newspaper in those days, Maryada, which was published from Benaras, carried Chandrashekhar’s photograph with the caption ‘Brave Child Azad.’ The new epithet ‘Azad’ was tagged inseparably to his name. Chandrashekhar Tiwari was now ‘Chandrashekhar Azad.’"

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July 16, 2022 - July 16, 2022.

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6. THE FIRST STEP

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" ... Mahatma’s decision to suspend the mass movement convinced Azad that what can’t be had by request, must be had by force."

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"Chauri Chaura is a small town near Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh. In February 1922, on hearing that the sub-inspector of Chauri Chaura Police Station had assaulted some demonstrators, an infuriated mob assembled before the police station and demanded an explanation from the guilty official. It ultimately resulted in police firing in which three people were killed. After the policemen had exhausted their ammunition, they got scared and locked themselves up inside the police station. The enraged crowd challenged the policemen to come out of their den and on their paying no heed, it set fire to the police station. In all, 21 policemen and a sub-inspector were burnt alive in the blaze."

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"Although most Congress leaders remained firmly behind the Bapu, the disillusioned broke away. ... Most prominently, the youth ended up the most disillusioned lot. They felt Gandhiji’s sudden retraction pulled the rug of resolve from below their feet."

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"A host of young people from different districts of Uttar Pradesh championed the cause of HRA, including Pandit Ram Prasad Bismil from Shahjahanpur, Suresh Bapu from Kanpur and Rajendra Nath Lahiri, Shachindra Nath Bakshi and Ravindra Mohan Kar from Benaras.

"By now, Azad was a known face. Pranavesh, who was a member of HRA, was quite impressed with Azad’s grit. He met Azad and proposed that he must join HRA. ... "

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July 16, 2022 - July 16, 2022.

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7. STRENGTH OF CHARACTER

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" ... An untainted character is not an inherited virtue. To make or mar, it is your call ... "

" ... What was collected as donation wasn’t enough. The situation was desperate. Things had come to such a pass that food became a luxury for the members. "

" ... The first plan was made to rob the mukhiya’s house in a village in Fatehpur. Under the leadership of Pandit Ram Prasad Bismil, a small group reached the village to implement their plan. Bismil had, however, given express instructions to not harm the ladies in any way, even if they hit back. “A revolutionary lacks the strength of character if he has no regard for women,” he opined."

" ... women somehow got whiff of Bismil’s sentiments and protested. They slapped and shoved the revolutionaries and even snatched their guns. ... "

"The second botched-up burglary bid was made some time later. ... Azad suddenly heard the wails of a woman and rushed to an adjoining room. To his horror, he found his acquaintance who had planned the robbery, trying to molest a woman of the household. Seething in anger, Azad brandished his pistol and shot the man through the eye. Having apologised to the woman, he returned all the money to the landlord and returned home."

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July 16, 2022 - July 16, 2022.

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8. IN THE GUISE OF A SADHU, BUT …

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"One day, as the acute financial crunch was being debated, someone mentioned a math (religious seat) of nirmaley sadhus in Ghazipur. It was revealed that the mahant (head) of the math was terminally ill and had huge reserves of wealth. If someone from HRA won over his confidence as his most trusted disciple, he would inherit all his wealth, which, in turn, could conclusively end HRA’s financial woes. ... "

" ... The mahant, instead of inching towards his death, was actually recuperating."

" ... So, one fine day, he left without information to join his friends in Kashi again. ... "

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July 16, 2022 - July 16, 2022.

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9. SELF-SACRIFICE IS THY NAME

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" ... They ate little, perhaps one meal a day and saved paltry sums for organisational work and for buying ammunition. ... "

"Azad still had the responsibility to collect money. His charming personality endeared him to many who would often donate for the cause. Motilal Nehru, a leader of the Indian National Congress was one of the occasional patrons. Then there were some others like Attorney General, Nirmal Chand, Bengali litterateur, Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay and Advocate General of Calcutta, S.N. Sarkar, who also donated occasionally. But all this wasn’t enough. Sometimes, paucity of funds made the HRA members starve, ... "

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July 16, 2022 - July 16, 2022.

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10. WORD OF HONOUR

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" ... Azad and his companions reached a jewellery store at Chandni Chowk. They quietly went to the owner, brandished their pistols, asked everyone to keep mum and demanded that all money be handed over. “I don’t have an option. The country needs money for a just cause,” Azad told the owner, who himself had no option but to hand over ` 14,000 in cash. The runaway success of the exercise buoyed the sagging morale of the revolutionaries.

"Azad promptly returned the amount promised to his friend, who by then had read about the robbery in the newspapers. He understood the genesis of the sudden fattening of his friend’s purse. ... "

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July 16, 2022 - July 16, 2022.

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11. MOTHER VS. MOTHER

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"Tragedy struck Azad’s family when his brother Sukhdev, who was working as a postman, was afflicted with pneumonia and passed away in 1925. This came as a huge blow to his mother, Jagrani Devi who had lost her husband some 10 years ago. At the time of Sukhdev’s death, Azad was absconding. Jagrani Devi was shattered. She was a loner with no one by her side. Life in a desolate little house in Lucknow was difficult for a widow. Azad did visit his mother occasionally, once in a week or less. He was always on the run to evade arrest."

"“Your elated words elude my understanding, son. All I want is that my country becomes free soon and all mothers get back their sons.”"

" ... If Chhatrapati Shivaji’s mother, Jijabai didn’t make a sacrifice, could her son have ensured freedom for Maharashtra? Every mother needs to emulate Jijabai today. And why not start with you, mother? ... "

"“What if they put you in jail?”"

" ... Wasn’t Lord Krishna born in jail in order to end the reign of evil? ... "

"“Mother, your son was born Azad (free) and will die Azad. The police will never lay their hands on me and I will never be taken alive to be put in jail.”"

" ... No man is born immortal. Not even Lord Rama, Lord Krishna and Gautam Buddha were born to live forever. One day, the world will remember you for being the mother to a son like Azad. You will be an exemplary mother the world will bow to. Farewell, mother.”"

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July 16, 2022 - July 16, 2022.

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12. KAKORI TRAIN ROBBERY

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"The day was August 9, 1925. The group comprising Ram Prasad Bismil, Rajendra Lahiri, Thakur Roshan Singh, Sachindra Bakshi, Chandrashekhar Azad, Keshab Chakravarty, Banwari Lal, Mukundi Lal, Manmath Nath Gupta and Ashfaqulla Khan to implement its plan at the outer signal of Kakori, a village near Lucknow. As the train approached Kakori, the chain was pulled and the train screeched to a halt. Ashfaqulla got off from the second class compartment with his friends, Sachindra Bakshi and Rajendra Lahiri. He had played out the first part of the plot that day."

"Four men entered the guard’s van. They managed to push the strong box to the ground. ... "

" ... the revolutionaries escaped through a jungle that led to Lucknow."

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"On the morning of September 26, 1925, Ram Prasad was arrested. Before the police could arrest Ashfaq, he had escaped from his home and hid in a sugarcane field half a mile from his home. All except Ashfaq and Azad had been taken into custody. Ashfaq managed to reach Kashi after a harrowing journey and met a few friends at the Benares University. They advised him to lie low for some time. With their help, Ashfaq went to Bihar. He got a job as a clerk with an engineering firm at Daltonganj in Palamu district, where he worked for 10 months. Bored stiff and wanting a change, he went on a visit to Delhi. One day, he fortuitously met a pathan friend from Shahjahanpur. They had been classmates in school. The Pathan was overjoyed to meet Ashfaq after a long time. He took Ashfaq to his room and requested him to spend the night at his place.

"The next morning, Ashfaq was sound asleep when there was a loud knock at the door. An unsuspecting Ashfaq opened the door only to be nabbed by the police. The Pathan had done him in, shaming a virtue like friendship for the sake of money."

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" ... Tasadruk Khan, an army officer, who had later shifted to the police department, was brought in to convince Ashfaq to turn approver. Ashfaq, however, stood his ground. The Kakori case hearing had made considerable progress by then and it was gradually becoming clear that the arrested men would be convicted and sentenced to death.

"A committee was formed, with Motilal Nehru as the chairman to defend the accused in the case. Finally, the Court of Justice under the British rule gave its judgement. Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqulla Khan, Rajendra Lahiri and Roshan Singh were to be put to death, while the others would serve life sentence."

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"The four revolutionaries sentenced to death died with a smile on their lips and a prayer that they be born again in India so that they could fight for their country’s freedom. Before hanging to death, Bismil recited a couplet that is remembered to this day:

"“Shahidon ki chitaon par lagenge har baras mele,

"Vatan par marne walon ka yahi baki nishan hoga.”"

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"With the police hot on his trail, Azad the fugitive was hopping from one place to another, mostly in disguises. There was a reward on his capture. Azad’s independence was the lone stain on the administration’s armour. Times were bad, relationships tenuous. For a few dimes, trust was being traded."

... "hamlet called Dhimarpura near Jhansi where Azad found refuge, disguised, of course, as a brahmachari (celibate). But the disguise served to spoil his peace more than help maintain it. People, thinking he was a saint, came in large numbers to seek his blessings. This perturbed Azad as he feared his cover would be blown. ... "

" ... he moved to Jhansi, where he worked with a motor company, and then went over to Bombay where he worked as a coolie at the port.

"It was then that he heard of the man they called a lion – revolutionary and politician, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar or Veer Savarkar, as he was popularly known. Azad had an intuition that help was at hand. He bid Bombay adieu and came to Kanpur to meet Savarkar."

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July 16, 2022 - July 16, 2022.

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13. A NEW CHAPTER

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"The man the British dreaded for his fearlessness, Veer Savarkar was a senior political leader and philosopher. His words spelt magic on his audience and the list of his followers was endless."

Hence the desperate efforts by the then government to imprison him in case of murder of Gandhi? Hence the venom spewed by congress (and associated opposition since 2014), against him?

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" ... Azad knew Savarkar was right. Only, he didn’t know how to go about the job. He felt rudderless without a confidante. He was about to take leave when a young boy strode in and touched Savarkar’s feet. “Ah, Bhagat, you have come at an opportune time. Have you heard the name of Chandrashekhar Azad? You have? Well, meet him in person now. And this, Azad, is Bhagat Singh. Young he may be, but he is completely devoted to the cause of the motherland. Bhagat, Azad is worried he may not succeed in making a fresh start. You must help him out.” Without a moment’s hesitation, Bhagat agreed and smiled at Azad for his approval."

"Savarkar rose and embraced both of them. “The land which has given birth to sons like Azad and Bhagat Singh can never remain bound by slavery for too long. Go ahead, my boys. Your destiny awaits you.”"

................................................................................................

................................................

July 16, 2022 - July 16, 2022.

................................................

................................................................................................

14. MOTHER: EPITOME OF LOVE

................................................................................................

" ... All she asked for was her son to come and visit her occasionally. ... "

"Azad was relishing pedas when a tensed Bhagat Singh arrived along with Rajguru. “We must leave, Azad bhai. The British have picked up your scent and may soon raid your house,” he said. “The administration’s love for me pales the Laila-Majnu tale into insignificance,” Azad said in a lighter vein. In less than a fraction of a moment, though, his eyes displayed a glint of anger and resolve. “But I am ready to reciprocate their love with bullets,” he said, finger on his pistol trigger. He was always well-equipped with adequate ammunition. The kind of marksman that he was, no cop dared to challenge Azad in a gunfight. Bhagat Singh smiled, “I know. But any violence here might harm mother and we can’t allow that. So, let’s go.” Azad saw the point, made an excuse and took hurried leave of his mother. “You two proceed to Delhi. I will meet you there, soon,” he said.

"When Azad left, Jagrani Devi hadn’t finished cooking a meal for him yet."

................................................................................................

................................................

July 16, 2022 - July 16, 2022.

................................................

................................................................................................

15. DEATH BEFORE DISHONOUR

................................................................................................

"Moments after Azad left, Shuklaji, his bosom friend and a revolutionary, walked in. ... "

" ... Shuklaji was waiting for lunch to be served, blissfully oblivious of a police contingent stealthily cordoning off the area. ... After a lot of consternation, the door was demolished. No sooner was that done, than a spray of bullets whizzed past and left a host of cops grievously wounded.

"Actually, Shuklaji had heard the thud of a door being broken. ... "

" ... Escape, yes, but surrender, never. Shuklaji scaled the wall, reached the roof in an attempt to cross over to the adjacent building to make good his escape. Little did he know that there were policemen on the roof too. Bullets caught him unawares from behind and Shuklaji collapsed in a heap. He wasn’t mauled, but martyred."

................................................................................................

" ... after the police failed to find Azad at his house, they were informed that the revolutionary would be travelling on a particular road. ... However, the police underestimated Azad’s percipience. On way to the station, he had got a whiff that the police were snooping around. A master of disguise, he transformed himself into an old, haggardly peasant even while walking. Soon enough, he was confronted by the cops. “Seen a young, handsome revolutionary with his moustache twirled upwards going this way?” “No sahib,” Azad replied in a husky voice. “Tell us if you see such a man. You will be rewarded,” a cop said. “That’s great, sir. I will, definitely. The reward will end my financial woes,” a disguised Azad feigned elation.

"The old man was allowed to move on. Azad boarded the Delhi Mail and proceeded to the national capital where Bhagat Singh and Rajguru were awaiting his arrival.

"One more person, a police officer named Tasadduq Hussain was waiting in the shadows for Azad. He was specially deputed to arrest Azad. Soon, he would learn a lesson of a lifetime."

................................................................................................

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July 16, 2022 - July 16, 2022.

................................................

................................................................................................

16. HRA RECONSTITUTED …

(…AND A COP SHOWN HIS PLACE)

................................................................................................

HRA became HSRA.

" ... Azad was a master of shadows himself and soon cornered Hussain. The hunted became the hunter and one day, he accosted the police officer. So sudden was Azad’s appearance that Hussain couldn’t reach out for his pistol in his holster. Like a flash of lightning, Azad stuck a gun to Hussain’s chest, dragged him to a corner and asked, “Tell me, is this the way you want this to end?” Hussain was trembling in his trousers as Azad’s formidable reputation was not unknown to him. “Sorry, Azad bhai. I got a bit carried away by the orders. I shall never follow you again.” “Well, it had better be that way, pal. Else, you will regret the day you were born,” Azad thundered, shoving Hussain aside before leaving. Never again did Hussain have the pluck to follow Azad.

" ... police had information that Azad was arriving at Kanpur station from Lucknow. The station was soon swarming with cops. Azad got wind of the matter, but did not escape. He alighted with perfect equanimity and went towards the exit. Suddenly, a cop came in his way. Azad stood calm and cast an intimidating glance at him, slowly placing his hand on the butt of his pistol tucked in his trouser. The cop stood petrified gasping for breath. The others froze too. No one made a move while Azad found his way out of the station in his trademark gait."

................................................................................................

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July 16, 2022 - July 16, 2022.

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................................................................................................

17. A DARING ACT

................................................................................................

" ... Dilsukh sprang up to his feet. PA to the Governor, he thought. This was an honour for anyone. He ran towards the gate to receive the dignitary."

"The ground under his feet gave way when the amount for ‘donation’ was declared. A neat ` 25,000. Dilsukh felt the world dance in circles before his eyes. “Isn’t that a little too much, sir?” he stammered. “Not at all,” the PA said. “A month from now, the British administration has decided to confer on you the tile of ‘Rai Bahadur’. Think, ` 25,000 is a trifling for the coveted distinction. Antagonising the administration at this juncture could be ruinous.”

"Dilsukh was too desirous of the ‘Rai Bahadur’ title. He asked his clerk to hand over the amount to the PA for which he was promptly given a receipt. “Well, thank you, Seth Dilsukh. Rejoice. You are Rai Bahadur now,” the PA congratulated him and took leave."

" ... Before he could react, armed cops entered his room and accosted him. ... “Rai Bahadur, my foot. You have been deceived by master conmen. The three of them were actually revolutionaries – Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Chandrashekhar Azad. ... "

................................................................................................

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July 16, 2022 - July 16, 2022.

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................................................................................................

18. THE SECOND STRIKE

................................................................................................

"Revolutionaries from all over the country were invited to join in for a discussion on a plan drawn up by Azad. The venue for the meet was fixed in a small house in Kanpur. There, Azad spilled his beans. The Viceroy, Lord Irwin was to leave Delhi for Mathura by a special train. The plan was to blow up the tracks and kill Irwin in the process. The revolutionaries were unanimous in hailing the plan.

"Just as the meeting was about to end, a policeman walked in with a miniature vault in his hand which was full of ammunition. It was a gift sent by a CID inspector to help the revolutionaries in their fight. The inspector had also sent a caveat: Vacate the house as soon as possible as a raid was likely. Such was the trust Azad enjoyed among several police officials in the higher echelons, who went out of their way to help him in his mission.

"The D-day arrived and the train with the Viceroy chugged on from Delhi. All trains travelling to and from Mathura were detained until the Viceroy passed. The British were wary of the nasty surprises sprung by the revolutionaries. The massive police bandobast was reminiscent of a war situation as cops lined up on both sides of the tracks. Everything seemed to go well until the train closed in on Faridabad. There was a deafening blast which blew up almost 100 metres of the track along with a compartment. Unfortunately, the explosion missed the compartment carrying the Viceroy by a few metres.

"Azad’s plan may have fallen through, but it served one purpose. It generated a creepy fear psychosis among the top British officers, who now dreaded setting foot outside their home."

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July 16, 2022 - July 16, 2022.

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19. REVENGE GONE WRONG

................................................................................................

"The double standards of the British had long been their policy of misleading the Indians. Treachery was their middle name. They had promised Independence if the Indian youth joined the army and helped them win the First World War. That won, they showed their ostensible magnanimity by presenting the ‘Kaisar-i-Hind’ medal (in recognition of distinguished service rendered in the advancement of the interests of the British Raj) to many, but reneged on their promise for freedom."

"In 1927, a commission, consisting of seven members (all Englishmen) and headed by Sir John Simon, was appointed (which later came to be known as Simon Commission). It was constituted to look into the reforms best suited to India, including the issue of Independence."

................................................................................................

"The HSRA had, on its part, directed its members to participate actively in the move to boycott the commission. In accordance with that, Bhagat Singh held a meeting of the Naujawan Bharat Sabha in October 1928 and prepared the workers for a demonstration against the insidious panel on its arrival at Lahore. It was specifically decided that the protests would be non-violent and bereft of any bloodshed. The commission arrived there on October 30, 1928. An all-party procession headed by ‘Sher-e-Punjab’ Lala Lajpat Rai, marched towards the railway station to make their disenchantment known to the panel members. Bhagat Singh was at the forefront of the huge procession.

" ... Lala Lajpat Rai refused to budge even in the face of brutal ferocity and stood there quietly. That was when Scott decided to teach him a lesson. Taking a cane from a cop, he began to rain blow after blow on the senior leader. Lala Lajpat Rai fell to the ground bleeding profusely. For a moment, Bhagat Singh wanted to finish off the police officer, but was bound to the promise of peace that he had made. Lala Lajpat Rai was rushed to a hospital where he breathed his last on November 17, 1928."

" ... The matter was debated in the House of Commons in England, where the under-secretary of the state to India, Earl Winterton, asserted there was no evidence to show that the death of Lala Lajpat Rai was due to blows received on that occasion. ... "

................................................................................................

"Seven revolutionaries – Bhagat Singh, Mahavir Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, Rajguru, Jai Gopal, Kishorilal and Durga Devi – met to chalk out the act of reprisal. Finally, Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev and Jai Gopal were detailed for the job. ... "

" ... Rajguru and Bhagat Singh were detailed to shoot Scott as soon as Jai Gopal gave the signal and Azad and Sukhdev were to cover their movement after the shooting. On December 17, 1928, the foursome reached the Punjab Civil Secretariat and took up their positions in close proximity to the office."

" ... No sooner did Saunders come out of the office gate, than Jai Gopal gave the signal. Rajguru took aim and fired a shot hitting Saunders in the neck. Saunders fell. Bhagat Singh rushed and fired four more bullets into Saunders’ head to make sure he didn’t survive."

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July 16, 2022 - July 16, 2022.

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20. THE GREAT ESCAPE

................................................................................................

"Azad’s reasoning made Bhagat Singh see logic. He got himself shaved and borrowed a good woollen suit and a hat from a friend to look like an English sahib. He then asked Durga Devi to get dressed accordingly and accompany him to the station, with Rajguru in tow posing as their servant. A tonga (one-horse carriage) was hired and they reached the station. The policemen at the station saluted the couple, thinking they were British. As for Azad, he was anyway a master of disguises and reached the point of rendezvous on his own. Having bought the tickets, the four boarded a train leaving for Amritsar."

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July 16, 2022 - July 16, 2022.

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21. MOTILAL MEETS THE WORDSMITH

................................................................................................

"Azad’s meeting with Motilal Nehru – the founder-patriarch of the Nehru-Gandhi family which rules the roost in Indian polity even today – is remarkable not so much because of what transpired between them, but because of Azad’s flawless ideation, which left the senior leader speechless.

"By now, Azad had become a household name. Motilal wanted to size him up, see if he really deserved all the limelight he was hogging of late. So, he summoned the young revolutionary to Allahabad."

"As Azad left the place, little did he know that he would encounter a near-arrest some days later."

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July 16, 2022 - July 16, 2022.

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................................................................................................

22. VALOUR, NOT VANITY

................................................................................................

"The men were strong, but Azad was stronger and more agile. With a burst of energy, he made a full 360-degree turn, flinging the three off balance. By the time they pulled themselves over, a pistol was already aimed at them, finger on trigger. The cops did not dare to reach out for their guns as they were aware of Azad’s marksmanship. ... "

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July 16, 2022 - July 17, 2022.

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................................................................................................

23. BHAGAT INVOKES GANDHI

................................................................................................

"The British were more concerned about the common man than the revolutionaries. A group of revolutionaries, howsoever big, could be dealt with, but they did not want the common man to be roused. The best way to exert a stranglehold on the public was to maim their rights. The more they suffered, the less would they be able to join the fight for freedom. The ‘Public Safety Bill’ did as much. Not only did it make the lives of menial workers and employees at large pitiable, it curtailed all their justified demands.

"The Bill was to be introduced in the Assembly on April 9, 1929, the passage of which was certain. After all, the entire government machinery belonged to the administration.

................................................................................................

"“But Azad bhai, how long can you stop the British this way?” Bhagat Singh asked to a suggestion by Azad. It was Azad’s view that a series of blasts be carried out within the Assembly premises so that some of the British stooges lose their lives and the warning bell rings loud and clear. Bhagat had his doubts. “If we do that, the common man would have to bear the brunt as the British will harass them further.” “But then, if we do anything outside the Assembly, we will be pooh-poohed. The only way to make ourselves heard is to strike at the Assembly,” Azad countered."

"“We will attack the Assembly and carry out a blast, no doubt. But we will make sure nobody receives a scratch. We will make the blast a warning, tell the British we can make things worse, but don’t want to. We are violent not by choice, but by compulsion. All we want is freedom which is our birthright, in fact, as it is their birthright too. If I am arrested, fair enough, I will have no qualms. That way, I will be able to express my feelings in court. Let the men in power know what has forced us to become revolutionaries. Let the sceptics among our countrymen also know why we are traversing a blood-stained road,” Bhagat Singh said."

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July 17, 2022 - July 17, 2022.

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................................................................................................

24. A BLAST AND A MESSAGE

................................................................................................

" ... hearing in the Assembly blast case went on for a long time, finally culminating in the death sentence of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev. Batukeshwar Dutt and some others were deported to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to serve at the colonial jail called kala paani.

"The clouds of adversity were hovering menacingly over Azad’s head."

................................................................................................

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July 17, 2022 - July 17, 2022.

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................................................................................................

25. THE CONFLICT WITHIN

................................................................................................

"Following Bhagat Singh’s sentence, Azad faced such a conflict of emotions. He wasn’t certain anymore about what he wanted to do in life. There was a vacuum in his life yet again. He never thought he could ever fill the void left by Bismil’s death, when Bhagat Singh came along. Now with him gone too, he was standing at a crossroads where he could neither go ahead nor step back. He was flummoxed about what to do next. ... "

................................................................................................

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July 17, 2022 - July 17, 2022.

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................................................................................................

26. BETRAYAL

................................................................................................

"Virbhadra Tiwari was trying to figure out his Achilles heel. It was widely rumoured that he wouldn’t be alive if he didn’t turn approver in the Kakori train robbery case in which he was involved. ... "

................................................................................................

................................................

July 17, 2022 - July 17, 2022.

................................................

................................................................................................

27. ARTFUL DECEPTION

................................................................................................

"“When and where is he coming to give the money?”

"“At Darbhanga House’s Alfred Park at 10.30 am tomorrow. ... "

................................................................................................

................................................

July 17, 2022 - July 17, 2022.

................................................

................................................................................................

28. THE FINAL CONFLICT

................................................................................................

"Indiscriminate firing commenced from all sides with jets of bullets whizzing past. Azad knew his gunpower was limited. He had every bullet to account for. He would wait for the opportune moment, take aim and fire. Each bullet would leave a soldier wounded."

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July 17, 2022 - July 17, 2022.

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29. AN INEXTINGUISHABLE FLAME

................................................................................................

"Fearing a popular uprising, the British furtively burned the body. They then made a declaration that Azad had been killed in a police encounter, following which his body was burned and the ashes consigned to the Triveni Sangam in Allahabad. The news spread like wildfire and streams and streams of populace queued up at Alfred Park where their leader had been martyred.

"The overwrought British administration did not want further trouble. They wanted to wash their hands of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru. In a hasty aftermath to Azad’s death, the trio was executed on March 23, 1931 and their bodies secretly burned."

"India became Independent on August 15, 1947. Public pressure forced the then government to grant a pension of ₹ 15 to Azad’s mother who was living a frail existence in Jhansi. She could never quite recover from the shock of her son’s death. It is believed she could never avail of the pension as she was not in the right frame of mind. On March 22, 1951, she quietly breathed her last, leaving behind her imprint as a valiant woman who mothered a mighty braveheart."

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July 17, 2022 - July 17, 2022.

................................................

................................................................................................

The book we have from kindle is titled

The Life and Times of Chandrashekhar Azad

by Bharat Bhushan.

And in information from kindle, it says

ASIN:- B01N6Y1B4N

But that ASIN, B01N6Y1B4N, when searched, brings forth

White Fangs

by Jack London

instead.

When searching by title, this title belongs only to a hardcover edition, and other editions are titled differently, in English and most in Hindi, probably the language this was written in originally.

One kindle edition has been assigned

ASIN:- B08G1TJ1WN

But titled

Biography of Chandrashekhar Azad.

However, when searching on Kindle Unlimited,

ASIN:- B01N6Y1B4N

works to find one's copy, while

ASIN:- B08G1TJ1WN

brings forth one not on Kindle Unlimited.

The Life and Times of Chandrashekhar Azad

by Bharat Bhushan.

................................................................................................

The Life and Times of Chandrashekhar Azad

by Bharat Bhushan

(Author)

................................................

July 04, 2022 -

July 15, 2022 - July 17, 2022. .

Purchased June 24, 2022.

Format: Kindle Edition

Publisher: ‎Prabhat Prakashan

(15 September 2020)

Language: ‎English

Kindle Edition

ASIN:- B01N6Y1B4N

ASIN:- B08G1TJ1WN

................................................

................................................................................................

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4851789025

................................................................................................

The Life and Times of Chandrashekhar Azad

by Bharat Bhushan

(Author)

July 04, 2022 - July 04, 2022.

Purchased June 24, 2022.

Format: Kindle Edition

Publisher: ‎Prabhat Prakashan

(15 September 2020)

Language: ‎English

Kindle Edition

ASIN:- B01N6Y1B4N

................................................................................................

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4851789025

................................................................................................

Reviews - Books I Read - DRJG

Sunday, July 17, 2022

The Life and Times of Chandrashekhar Azad, by Bharat Bhushan.

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