Independence Day Special:India Real Heroes

An air of patriotism surrounds us, as the day grows near. India celebrates its 65th Independence Day on August 15. Although we must all celebrate the fact that India was freed from British rule in 1947, let us not forget the people who made it all possible.

A website dedicated to the Indian freedom fighters, talks about the life, struggle and untimely death of these martyrs. Let us take a look at five such heroes, who gave up their lives fighting for Indian Independence.

Mangal Pandey is known as a legend, who sowed the idea of a freedom struggle in the minds of Indians, which ultimately lead to the country’s independence. He is known to have lead the mass revolt of Indians against the British Army in 1857 (Sepoy Mutiny).

He apparently carried out the revolt because the soldiers were given Enfield Rifles, whose cartridges (which the soldier were required to bite) were rumored to be coated with beef fat and/or pork fat.

Mangal Pandey was executed for the Sepoy Mutiny in 1857.

Rani Lakshmibai  was one of the leading figures of the Indian Rebellion of 1857 and a symbol of resistance to the rule of the British East India Company.

Rani Lakshmibai, who had been married to Raja Gangadhar Rao, had adopted a son Anand Rao after their own son passed away four months after his birth. But the East Indian British Company rejected Anand Rao’s claim to the throne stating that he was adopted and annexed the state to its territories.

This lead Rani of Jhansi to rebel against the British rule, and fight a war against them. Unfortunately, she was mortally wounded in the battle.

Lala Lajpat Rai is a freedom fighter who is widely known as Punjab Kesari and Sher-e-Punjab (The Lion of Punjab). Lala Lajpat Rai, Bipin Chandra Pal and Bal Gangadhar Tilak, popularly known as Lal-Bal-Pal, were actively involved in the fight for India’s Independence. Lala Lajpat Rai lost his life when he was Lathi charged by the police, during his peaceful protest against the Simon Commission.

Bhagat Singh gave up his life for the country at a tender age of 24. He was associated with several groups that were fighting for Indian Independence.

Bhagat Singh, who was apparently highly disturbed by Jallianwala Bagh and Chauri Chaura incidents, had decided to earn freedom with armed revolution rather than non-violence.

Seeking revenge for the death of Lala Lajpat Rai at the hands of the police, Singh was involved in the assassination of British police officer John Saunders.

Finally, he along with Rajguru and Sukhdev, were charged and executed for the Saunders murder case.

The Father of  the Nation Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi

The story of India’s struggle for freedom can never be complete without the mention of Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi’s path of Sathya (truth) and Ahimsa (non-violence) to attain freedom, are followed even today.

Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated by Nathuram Godse in January 1948.