Key Achievements and Life Events of Chandra Shekhar Azad
Chandra Shekhar Azad was one of the formidable freedom fighters of the British Empire. This Chandra Shekhar Azad essay will tell you about his early life and achievements as a freedom fighter. You will come to know what he has done and how he sacrificed his life for our country in this essay on Chandra Shekhar Azad. This essay has been written in a simple language for the understanding of all students.
Long Essay on Chandra Shekhar Azad
We got our freedom due to the sacrifice of our freedom fighters and nationalists. They have fought relentlessly against the colonial rule of the British Empire. One of the greatest martyrs of Indian Independence is Chandra Shekhar Azad. He was an ardent nationalist and the real son of Mother India who had no fear of any superpower. His bravery will always be remembered and printed in India’s history of freedom fights. In this essay on Chandra Shekhar Azad, we will discuss his early life and revolutionary activities.
His name was Chandra Shekhar Tiwari. He was born on 23rd July 1906 in Bhavra, Jhabua District, Madhya Pradesh. He belonged to a poor family. Chandra grew up with the Bhil tribal kids and indulged in sports. He was extremely fit and possessed an athletic figure. His mother dreamed of making him a Sanskrit scholar and sent him to Kashi Vidyapeeth in Banaras. It was then he was introduced to nationalism. He grew extreme love for her country and became a freedom fighter.
He was extremely troubled by the Jallianwala Bagh incident in 1919. He was just 13 years old when he joined the Non-Cooperation Movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi in 1920. He actively participated in such movements and was arrested by the British Government when he was 16 years old. It was then he introduced himself to the police as Azad and his father as ‘Swatantra’. The magistrate, witnessing such courage, became furious and ordered him to be whiplashed. We can understand from this Chandra Shekhar Azad essay paragraph how fearless he was.
The Noncooperation Movement was withdrawn by Mahatma Gandhi in 1922. His nationalist sentiment and the dream of seeing his country to be free received a huge blow. He became more aggressive and understood that non-violent movements like this will not shake the British Empire’s pillars.
He joined the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) after meeting Ram Prasad Bismil and started gathering funds. It was not enough for the freedom fighters to fight such a huge empire with so many limited funds. He then planned the famous Kakori Conspiracy in 1925. He planned how to loot a government train and gather weapons for further freedom activities. He identified the security loopholes and intercepted a train at Kakori. A passenger died as a casualty of the conspiracy and the British coined it as a murder. Bismil was arrested along with Ashfaqulla Khan but Azad escaped.
He then moved to Kanpur, the headquarter of HRA. He met Sukhdev, Rajguru, and Bhagat Singh, the most-feared freedom fighters back then. He renamed HRA to the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HRSA) in 1928. Lala Lajpat Rai died from lathi-charge in the same year. He planned to take revenge by killing James Scott but accidentally killed J. P. Saunders. Eventually, all his acquaintances were arrested but he managed to escape using his excellent disguising capabilities. This is why he was named ‘Quick Silver’.
One day, an informer leaked his location. Policemen are already present in Alfred Park, Allahabad. He was surrounded and was severely injured. He used his last bullet to kill himself but did not surrender to the British police. The legacy of Chandra Shekhar Azad will be remembered every time India celebrates its independence. He showed us how to love our country passionately and told us to be prepared to do anything. His unconditional love and selfless sacrifice are considered to be the epitome of patriotism in Indian history.
Short Essay on Chandrashekhar Azad
Paragraph on Chandrashekhar Azad
Chandra Shekhar Azad was born in a small village in Jhabua district in Madhya Pradesh. He is remembered as one of the mightiest freedom fighters who shook the British Empire. He grew up with the Bhil tribal children and was extremely fit. He learned swimming, archery, wrestling, etc from them. He was sent to Banaras to study Sanskrit in Kashi Vidyapeeth.
He was then introduced to nationalism and participated in nonviolent movements under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. He was arrested and whipped when he gallantly faced the wrath of the magistrate and told his name ‘Azad’. He was shattered by the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and turned into a freedom fighter by leaving the peaceful revolution. He met with the leading freedom fighters back then in the group named the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA).
He planned the Kakori Conspiracy to gather more funds and weapons for the freedom fighters. The entire team was declared terrorists and his partners were arrested. When Lala Lajpat Rai died, he planned the assassination of James Scott but mistakenly killed Saunders. He was then backstabbed by an informer and trapped in Alfred Park, Allahabad. He killed himself with his last bullet and created the epitome of patriotism and sacrifice we still remember to this date.
From Tiwari to Azad – Transformation of Chandra Shekhar
The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre demonstrated how British officials openly violated basic human rights. They committed violence on a crowd of unarmed and innocent individuals. Chandra Shekhar, deeply shocked by this tragedy, joined Mahatma Gandhi's revolutionary cause. During the years 1920-21, Gandhi launched the Non-Cooperation Movement. This was the catalyst for the first wave of nationalism. Chandra Shekhar was one of the teenagers who had actively participated in these protests and movements.
When Chandra Shekhar, 16, was caught in one of these incidents, the magistrate asked him his name. Azad, the son of a liberated India, introduced himself. He claimed that his father's name was Swatantra (independence) and that he lived in a jail cell. As a penalty for his outrageous behavior, the enraged magistrate sentenced him to fifteen whiplashes. Chandra Shekhar was treated with complete disregard when it came to his punishment. When signing statements as the commander in chief of the HSRA (Hindustan Socialist Republic Army), he would also use the name 'Balraj’.
Azad’s Courageous Death
Azad was a nightmare for the British Raj. British officials were determined to catch him, dead or alive. They even announced a large monetary reward for his head. An informant discovered Azad's whereabouts as a result of this announcement. Azad was heading to meet his companions at Allahabad's Alfred Park on February 27, 1931. Azad was already in the park when police arrived and ordered him to surrender willingly.
Azad fought valiantly against the officials to secure safe passage for his comrades. He was able to kill three police officers, although he was severely hurt in the process. He used the last round to kill himself in the head because he had no other way out. When he was about to be arrested, he shot himself to death because he was determined not to be caught alive. It is claimed that Azad kept a bullet in his pocket in case he was arrested by the British.
Azad’s Legacy
The gun of Chandra Shekhar Azad is on display in Allahabad's museum. Many of India's schools, roads, and institutions have been named after him as a result of his contributions to the country's independence. Many institutions are named after him as well. Chandrashekhar Azad was a great liberation fighter, and he will always be remembered as Shaheed Chandrashekhar Azad in the hearts of Indians.
Summary
This Chandra Shekhar Azad essay in English tells us about the courage, strength, and valour of one of the mightiest freedom fighters the British Empire feared.
FAQs on Chandra Shekhar Azad Essay: Inspiration from a True Patriot
1. Who was Chandra Shekhar Azad and what is his significance in Indian history?
Chandra Shekhar Azad was a prominent Indian revolutionary who played a pivotal role in the Indian freedom struggle. His significance lies in his fearless leadership, organisational skills in reorganising the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA), and his unwavering commitment to achieving complete independence for India. He remains an icon of patriotism, courage, and ultimate sacrifice for the nation.
2. What were Chandra Shekhar Azad's major contributions to the Indian Independence Movement?
Chandra Shekhar Azad's major contributions were centred on his revolutionary activities. Key actions include:
- Active participation in the Non-Cooperation Movement (1921).
- Reorganising the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) into the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) with other revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh.
- His involvement in the Kakori Train Robbery (1925) to fund revolutionary activities.
- The assassination of British police officer John Saunders (1928) to avenge the death of Lala Lajpat Rai.
3. How did Chandra Shekhar get the name 'Azad'?
Chandra Shekhar earned the name 'Azad' (which means "The Free") during his early involvement in the freedom struggle. At the age of 15, he was arrested for participating in the Non-Cooperation Movement. When presented before the magistrate and asked for his name, he bravely declared it as 'Azad'. He further stated his father's name was 'Swatantrata' (Independence) and his residence was 'Jail'. This defiant and courageous act made the name 'Azad' stick with him forever.
4. Why did Chandra Shekhar Azad believe in revolutionary methods over the non-violent approach of the Non-Cooperation Movement?
Chandra Shekhar Azad initially participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi. However, he became disillusioned after the movement was abruptly called off in 1922 following the Chauri Chaura incident. He believed that non-violent methods were not effective enough to overthrow the oppressive British regime. He felt that a more direct, armed struggle was necessary to achieve complete independence and to retaliate against British atrocities, leading him to join revolutionary organisations like the HRA.
5. Why was Chandra Shekhar Azad known for being difficult for the British to capture?
Chandra Shekhar Azad was a master of disguise and possessed exceptional strategic skills, which made him notoriously difficult for the British police to capture. He adopted numerous aliases and appearances to evade arrest for years while continuing his revolutionary activities. His pledge to never be caught alive by the British also fuelled his determination to remain free, earning him a reputation as an elusive and formidable figure in the eyes of the colonial administration.
6. What is Chandra Shekhar Azad's most famous slogan and what does it represent?
While often associated with the revolutionary spirit of his time, one of his most powerful declarations was his pledge: "Dushman ki goliyon ka hum samna karenge, Azad hi rahein hain, Azad hi rahenge" (We will face the enemy's bullets; we have been free and will remain free). This line was not just a slogan but a personal vow. It represents his absolute commitment to living and dying as a free man, refusing to submit to British authority under any circumstances.
7. How did Chandra Shekhar Azad die, and what does his death signify?
Chandra Shekhar Azad died on February 27, 1931, at Alfred Park (now Chandra Shekhar Azad Park) in Allahabad. He was betrayed by an informer, and the police surrounded him. He fought bravely to allow his fellow revolutionaries to escape. When he was left with only one bullet, he shot himself, thus honouring his pledge to never be captured alive. His death is a powerful symbol of ultimate sacrifice, unwavering resolve, and the supreme love for one's motherland.
