KAKORI TRAIN ROBBERY : HISTORY
NEWS: Kakori
Train Action Centenary festival
commenced today in Lucknow
WHAT’S IN THE NEWS ?
1. Kakori Train Robbery (August 9, 1925):
- Incident Overview:
The Kakori Train Robbery, also known as the Kakori Conspiracy, was a
significant event in the Indian independence movement. On August 9, 1925,
members of the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) carried out a daring
robbery on the Number 8 Down Train, which was transporting treasury funds
intended for the British government in Lucknow.
- Objective:
The revolutionaries believed that the money in the treasury bags
rightfully belonged to Indians and should be used to fund the freedom
struggle. The robbery was not just about acquiring funds but also about
drawing public attention to their cause and challenging British authority.
2. Formation of the Hindustan Republican
Association (HRA):
- Context:
The HRA was formed in response to the disillusionment with Mahatma
Gandhi's Non-Cooperation Movement, which was abruptly called off in 1922
after the Chauri Chaura incident where 22 policemen were burned to death.
This led to internal disagreements within the Indian National Congress
(INC), with some members feeling that non-violence was not sufficient to
achieve independence.
- Founders:
The HRA was founded by a group of young revolutionaries, including Ram
Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqullah Khan, Sachindra Nath Bakshi, and Jogesh Chandra
Chatterjee. These individuals were frustrated with the slow pace of the
freedom struggle and sought to take direct action against British rule.
- Ideology:
The HRA aimed to achieve independence through armed revolution. Their
manifesto, titled "Krantikari"
(Revolutionary), was released on January 1, 1925, and outlined their
commitment to overthrowing British rule by force if necessary.
3. Key Figures in the HRA:
- Ram Prasad Bismil:
A poet and revolutionary, Bismil was a key leader of the HRA. He played a
crucial role in planning and executing the Kakori Train Robbery.
- Ashfaqullah Khan:
Another prominent member, Khan was known for his bravery and literary
talents. He was deeply involved in the HRA's activities and was a close
associate of Bismil.
- Others:
The HRA attracted many other revolutionaries, including Chandra Shekhar
Azad and Bhagat Singh, who would later become iconic figures in the Indian
freedom struggle.
4. The Kakori Train Action:
- Planning:
The robbery was meticulously planned by the HRA members. On the day of the
incident, Rajendranath Lahiri, who was already seated inside the train,
pulled the emergency chain to stop the train near Kakori station.
- Execution:
Around ten revolutionaries, including Bismil and Khan, then boarded the
train, overpowered the guard, and seized the treasury bags. They quickly
fled the scene and made their way to Lucknow.
- Impact:
The robbery was a bold statement against British rule, demonstrating the
revolutionaries' determination to fight for independence.
5. British Response:
- Crackdown:
The British authorities were outraged by the Kakori Train Robbery. They
launched a severe crackdown on the HRA, arresting many of its members. The
only major leader who managed to evade arrest was Chandrashekhar Azad.
- Capital Punishment:
The British response was harsh, with several members of the HRA being
sentenced to death. The severity of the punishment was intended to serve
as a deterrent to other revolutionaries.
6. Executions of HRA Members:
- December 1927:
Four revolutionaries—Rajendranath
Lahiri, Ashfaqullah Khan, Ram Prasad Bismil, and Thakur Roshan Singh—were
executed by hanging. These executions sparked widespread outrage and
further fueled the independence movement.
7. Evolution of the HRA:
- Merger with Other Groups:
In 1928, a year after the execution of the Kakori Conspiracy accused, the
HRA merged with other revolutionary groups that had emerged in Punjab,
Bihar, and Bengal. This merger led to the formation of the Hindustan
Socialist Republican Association (HSRA), which continued the struggle for
independence with renewed vigor.
- Continued Resistance:
The HSRA played a key role in several significant events, including
protests against the Simon Commission, the assassination of assistant
police commissioner J.P. Saunders, and an attempted bombing of Viceroy
Irwin’s train.
8. Legacy of the HRA and Kakori Incident:
- Inspiration for Future Generations:
The bravery and sacrifice of the HRA members, particularly those involved
in the Kakori Train Robbery, inspired future generations of Indians to
continue the fight for independence.
- Symbol of Resistance:
The Kakori Train Robbery and the subsequent executions became symbols of
the broader struggle against British colonial rule, highlighting the
willingness of Indian revolutionaries to lay down their lives for the
cause of freedom.
Source :
https://www.newsonair.gov.in/kakori-train-action-centenary-festival-commenced-today-in-lucknow/