Popularly known as Punjab Kesari (Lion of Punjab), Lala Lajpat Rai (28 January 1865 – 17 November 1928) played a pivotal role in the Indian Independence movement.
Right from his childhood, he had the desire to serve his country and took a pledge to free it from foreign rule. In 1880, Lajpat Rai joined Government College at Lahore to study Law, where he came in contact with patriots and future freedom fighters. Right from his younger days, Rai was a popular figure for his activism. He formed public service committees and inspired people and was known for his fiery speeches.
When studying law, Rai was deeply inspired by the teachings of Arya Samaj, the Hindu reformist movement founded by Dayanand Saraswati. He became a firm believer in the idea that Hinduism, above nationality, was the pivotal point upon which an Indian lifestyle must be based. Rai joined the Arya Samaj in December 1882 and his interest in Hinduism began to take on a nationalistic colour.
Rai was an ardent proponent of robust swadeshi infrastructure so that Indians would not be dependent on British systems. For this cause, Rai co-founded the Punjab National Bank in 1894 and in the early 1920s, Rai also set up the National College in Lahore, whose students would include Bhagat Singh and Sukhdev.
In 1886, he moved to Hisar where he practiced law and also founded the Hisar district branch of the Indian National Congress along with other leaders. In 1892, he moved to Lahore to practice in the Lahore High Court. To shape the political policy of India to gain independence, he also practiced journalism and was a regular contributor to several newspapers including The Tribune.
Lala Lajpat Rai was deeply impressed by the ideals of patriotism and nationalism outlined by Italian revolutionary leader Giuseppe Mazzini. He with some prominent leaders including Bipin Chandra Pal, Aurobindo Ghosh, and Bal Gangadhar Tilak started seeing the negative aspects of moderate politics advocated by several leaders of the Indian National Congress. They started voicing their demand for complete independence or ‘Purna Swaraj’.
In 1907, his involvement in the freedom struggle got him a six-month stint in a prison at Mandalay. In 1914, he quit law practice to dedicate himself to the freedom of India.
In 1914, keen to generate worldwide sympathy for the cause of Indian independence, Rai departed for Britain. He then went on to travel in the United States as well, and returned to India only in 1920.
Rai died in 1928 after sustaining severe injuries from lathi-charge while protesting against the Simon Commission.
Lala Lajpat Rai’s Quotes
“The shots that hit me are the last nails to the coffin of British rule in India.”
“If I had the power to influence Indian journals, I would have the following headlines printed in bold letters on the first page: Milk for the infants, food for the adults and education for all.”
“The government which attacks its own innocent subjects has no claim to be called a civilised government. Bear in mind, such a government does not survive long. I declare that the blows struck at me will be the last nails in the coffin of the British rule in India.”
Also Read: ‘Moderates Phase’, First phase of Indian national movement
References
Question and Answers
Question: Mention two important contributions of Lala Lajpat Rai.
Answer: i) He was associated with the Arya Samaj Movement. He opened orphanages, hospitals and schools.
ii) When he was in the USA, he launched a monthly magazine ‘Young India’ to spread awareness about India’s right to attain Swaraj.
iii) He was also the first leader to write about problems of socialism and labour organisation.
Question: The title ‘Punjab Kesari’ was conferred on?
Answer: Lala Lajpat Rai was popularly known as ‘Punjab Kesari’ meaning ‘The Lion of Punjab’, also known as ‘Sher-E-Punjab’ in Punjabi.
Question: Who died after getting injured during Lathi Charge while protesting against Simon Commission?
Answer: In 1928 while leading a procession at Lahore against the Simon Commission Lala Lajpat Rai was fatally injured in a lathi charge. He succumbed to his injuries on November 17, 1928. On the day he was wounded, he said, “Lathi blows inflicted on me would prove some day as nails in the coffin of the British empire.”
Question: ‘Lala Lajpat Rai Was a Fearless Nationalist and a Journalist’. in this Context Briefly Describe His Contribution in the Field of Education. – History and Civics.
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