Chandra Shekhar Azad was one of the most prominent freedom fighters in India’s struggle for independence from British rule. He was born on July 23, 1906, in Bhavra village, present-day Madhya Pradesh. Azad, whose real name was Chandrashekhar Tiwari, is remembered as a fearless revolutionary who played a pivotal role in the freedom struggle. His death anniversary is observed on February 27, to commemorate his sacrifice for the nation.
Azad was deeply inspired by the nationalist movement led by Mahatma Gandhi and joined the non-cooperation movement at a young age. However, he soon became disillusioned with the slow pace of progress and the compromises made by the Indian National Congress. In 1928, he joined the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA), a revolutionary group that aimed to overthrow British rule through armed struggle.
Azad was a brilliant strategist and an expert in guerrilla warfare. He was known for his daring raids on police stations, banks, and government buildings. Azad’s most famous act was the Kakori train robbery in 1925, in which he and his associates looted a train carrying British government funds.
Azad was relentlessly pursued by the British police, and in 1931, he was cornered in the Alfred Park in Allahabad. Azad fought fiercely to the last and preferred to die rather than surrender. He shot himself with his last bullet to avoid being captured alive by the British.
Azad’s sacrifice became a rallying cry for the freedom movement, and he became a symbol of resistance against British rule. He inspired a whole generation of revolutionaries, including Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev Thapar, and Rajguru, who carried on the struggle for independence.
Today, on his death anniversary, the nation pays tribute to this great son of India. Azad’s legacy continues to inspire generations of Indians to fight for justice, equality, and freedom. His life and sacrifice serve as a reminder of the immense price that was paid for India’s freedom and the responsibility we have as citizens to uphold and cherish it.
Let us pledge to carry forward the torch of freedom that Azad lit, and let his memory continue to inspire us to strive for a better India.
