Ram Prasad Bismil

• 15 Jun 2023

Why in News?

On 11^th June 2023, 126^th birth anniversary of Ram Prasad Bismil was commemorated. Known for his revolutionary spirit and poetic prowess, Bismil played a significant role in the fight against British colonial rule.

What are the Key Points about Bismil?

• Birth:
  • Bismil was born on 11^th June 1897, in a village in Uttar Pradesh’s Shahjahanpur district to Murlidhar and Moolmati.
• About:
  • Bismil joined the Arya Samaj (founded in 1875 by Dayanand Saraswati)  and became a talented writer and poet, using pen names like 'Bismil' meaning 'wounded' or 'restless.'
  • The ideals of a revolution first took root in his mind when he read about the death sentence awarded to Bhai Parmanand, an Indian nationalist and Arya Samaj missionary.
    • He was 18 then and vented his anguish through his poem ‘Mera Janm’.
  • He believed in revolutionary methods of freedom struggle which were in contrast to Gandhian methods.
• Contributions of Ram Prasad Bismil:
  • The Mainpuri Conspiracy:
    • Bismil grew disillusioned with the moderate wing of the Congress Party and founded a revolutionary organization called ‘Matrivedi’.
    • In 1918, Bismil and Dixit got involved in the Mainpuri Conspiracy in which they distributed prohibited literature.
      • On 28 January 1918, Bismil distributed two of his writings to people- a pamphlet titled Deshwasiyon ke Naam Sandesh (A Message to Countrymen) and Mainpuri ki Pratigya (Vow of Mainpuri).
    • To collect funds for their parties they looted government coffers on three occasions in 1918
  • Founding the Hindustan Republican Association:
    • In 1920, he formed the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) with Sachindra Nath Sanyal and Jadugopal Mukherjee.
    • The HRA's manifesto, largely penned by Bismil, aimed to establish a federal Republic of United States of India through an armed revolution.
  • The Kakori Train Action:
    • The Kakori train robbery in 1925 was a major action of the HRA, aimed at acquiring funds for their activities and generating publicity.
    • Bismil and his companions Chandrasekhar Azad and Ashfaqulla Khan decided to loot a train in Kakori near Lucknow.
    • They were successful in their attempt but were arrested alongside a dozen other HRA members within a month of the attack and tried under the Kakori Conspiracy Case.
    • The legal process lasted 18 months. Bismil, Lahiri, Khan and Thakur Roshan Singh were awarded death sentences.
  • Poetry and Writing:
    • Bismil's prolific writings, including patriotic verses in Hindi and Urdu, inspired Indians to join the freedom struggle.
    • His poems reflected concerns for societal issues and principles of equality and human dignity.
  • Advocacy for Hindu-Muslim Unity:
    • Bismil's close friendship with fellow revolutionary poet Ashfaqullah Khan symbolized communal harmony.
    • In his last letter before his hanging, he emphasized the need for Hindus and Muslims to unite for the nation's service.
• Death:
  • He was hanged on 19^th December 1927 at Gorakhpur Jail.
  • He was cremated on the banks of river Rapti, and the site was rechristened as Raj Ghat later.

Source: IE