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Chandra Shekhar Tiwari, popularly known as Chandra Shekhar Azad, was an Indian revolutionary who reorganised the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) under its new name of Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) after the death of its founder, Ram Prasad Bismil, and three other prominent party leaders, Roshan Singh, Rajendra Nath Lahiri and Ashfaqulla Khan. He hailed from Badarka in Unnao district of Uttar Pradesh. He often used the pseudonym “Balraj” while signing pamphlets issued as the commander-in-chief of the HSRA.
| Name: | Chandra Shekhar Azad – Chandrashekhar Tiwari |
| Born: | 23 July, 1906 Bhabhra (present-day Alirajpur district of Madhya Pradesh) |
| Martyrdom: | 27 February, 1931 Allahabad |
| Education: | Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith |
| Achievements: | Involved in Kakori Train Robbery (1926), the attempt to blow up the Viceroy’s train (1926), and the shooting of Saunders at Lahore (1928) to avenge the killing of Lala Lajpat Rai; formed Hindustan Socialist Republican Association with fellow compatriots Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru. |
| Parents: | Jagrani Devi, Sitaram Tiwari |
Chandra Shekhar Azad was a great Indian freedom fighter. His fierce patriotism and courage inspired others of his generation to enter freedom struggle. Azad was the mentor Bhagat Singh, another great freedom fighter, and along with Bhagat Singh he is considered as one of the greatest revolutionaries that India has produced.
Azad was born on July 23, 1906 in Badarka village of Unnao district in Uttar Pradesh. His parents were Pandit Sitaram Tiwari and Jagarani Devi. Pandit Sitaram Tiwari was serving in erstwhile estate of Alirajpur (situated in present day Madhya Pradesh) and Azad’s childhood was spent in the village Bhabra. On the insistence of her mother Jagrani Devi, Chandra Shekhar Azad went to Kashi Vidyapeeth, Benaras for studying Sanskrit.
Azad was deeply troubled by the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre in Amritsar in 1919. In 1921, when Mahatma Gandhi launched Non-Cooperation movement, Chandra Shekhar Azad actively participated in revolutionary activities. He received his first punishment at the age of fifteen. Azad was caught while indulging in revolutionary activities. When the magistrate asked him his name, he said “Azad” (meaning free). Chandra Shekhar Azad was sentenced to fifteen lashes. With each stroke of the whip the young Chandra Shekhar shouted “Bharat Mata Ki Jai“. From then on Chandra Shekhar assumed the title of Azad and came to known as Chandra Shekhar Azad. Chandra Shekhar Azad vowed that he would never be arrested by the British police and would die as free man.
After the suspension of non-cooperation movement Azad was attracted towards more aggressive and revolutionary ideals. He committed himself to complete independence by any means. Azad and his compatriots would target British officials known for their oppressive actions against ordinary people and freedom fighters. Azad was involved in Kakori Train Robbery (1926), the attempt to blow up the Viceroy’s train (1926), and the shooting of Saunders at Lahore (1928) to avenge the killing of Lala Lajpat Rai.
Along with Bhagat Singh and other compatriots like Sukhdev and Rajguru, Azad formed the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HRSA). HRSA was committed to complete Indian independence and socialist principles for India’s future progress.
Azad was a terror for British police. He was on their hit list and the British police badly wanted to capture him dead or alive. On February 27, 1931 Azad met two of his comrades at the Alfred Park Allah bad. He was betrayed by an informer who had informed the British police. The police surrounded the park and ordered Azad to surrender. Azad fought alone valiantly and killed three policemen. But finding himself surrounded and seeing no route for escape, Azad shot himself. Thus he kept his pledge of not being caught alive.
