Revolutionary Activity (1920s)

Introduction
The abrupt withdrawal of the Non-Cooperation Movement (1922) created deep disillusionment among the youth. They felt that the method of non-violence had failed and that a more assertive, militant path was required to uproot British rule. Many young nationalists rejected parliamentary politics (Swarajists) as well as the slow constructive work (No-Changers). They turned toward revolutionary action, believing that armed struggle alone could deliver independence.

Two major revolutionary centres emerged:
• Punjab–United Provinces–Bihar (HRA/HSRA)
• Bengal (Yugantar, Chittagong group)

Factors Influencing the New Revolutionary Wave
• Inspiration from the Russian Revolution (1917) and the emergence of a socialist state.
• Growth of communist groups in India promoting Marxist and socialist ideas.
• Revolutionary literature: Bandi Jiwan (Sachin Sanyal), Pather Dabi (S. Chattopadhyay), journals like Atma Shakti, Sarathi, Bijoli.
• Desire to mobilise workers, peasants, and the emerging middle class for a socialist-oriented struggle.

Punjab–United Provinces–Bihar Region

Formation of HRA (Hindustan Republican Association)
• Founded in October 1924 at Kanpur by Ramprasad Bismil, Jogesh Chandra Chatterjee and Sachin Sanyal.
• Objective: overthrow British rule through an armed revolution.

Kakori Train Robbery (1925)
• HRA activists looted government railway cash from the 8-Down train at Kakori near Lucknow.
• After the robbery, many revolutionaries were arrested.
Punishments:
• 4 hanged: Ramprasad Bismil, Ashfaqulla Khan, Rajendra Lahiri, Roshan Singh.
• 17 others received long sentences.

Transformation into HSRA (1928)
• Meeting at Feroz Shah Kotla (Delhi): Younger revolutionaries, inspired by socialism, reorganised the group.
• Name changed to Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA).
Key Members:
• Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Chandrashekhar Azad, Bhagwati Charan Vohra, Bejoy Kumar Sinha, Shiv Verma, Jaidev Kapur.

Saunders’ Assassination (1928)
• Lala Lajpat Rai died due to police lathi blows during a protest against the Simon Commission.
• HSRA members (Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Chandrashekhar Azad) killed British officer Saunders in Lahore in retaliation.

Central Legislative Assembly Bomb Case (1929)
• Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt threw harmless bombs in the Assembly to protest against repressive bills.
• Purpose: "to make the deaf hear", not to kill.
• They courted arrest to use the trial for propaganda.

Lahore Conspiracy Case
• HSRA members launched a hunger strike demanding political prisoner status.
• Jatin Das died after 64 days of fasting.
• Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru were executed on 23 March 1931 (Shaheed Diwas).

Chandrashekhar Azad
• Continued underground struggles after Kakori.
• Attempted to blow up Viceroy Irwin’s train (1929).
• Died in an encounter at Alfred Park, Allahabad (1931).

Revolutionary Activity in Bengal

Background
• After C.R. Das’s death (1925), Bengal Congress split between Subhash Bose (Yugantar-backed) and J.M. Sengupta.
• Gopinath Saha attempted to assassinate Commissioner Charles Tegart; executed.

Chittagong Armoury Raid (1930)
Leader: Surya Sen (Master-da)
• Inspired by NCM; secretary of Chittagong District Congress Committee.
Objectives:
• Raid two armouries, seize arms.
• Destroy telegraph and telephone lines.
• Cut railway communications.
• Proclaim a provisional revolutionary government.

Details:
• 65 revolutionaries participated under the name Indian Republican Army (Chittagong).
• Surya Sen briefly hoisted the national flag.
• Arrested in 1933 and executed in 1934.

Women in Bengal Revolution
Active participants included:
• Pritilata Waddedar – died during an attack on a European club.
• Kalpana Dutt – participated in raids; sentenced to life imprisonment.
• Santi Ghosh, Suniti Chaudhury – assassinated the district magistrate of Comilla (1931).
• Bina Das – fired at Bengal Governor during university convocation (1932).

Characteristics of Bengal Revolution
• Muslim participation increased (Satar, Mir Ahmed, Fakir Ahmed Mian, Tunu Mian).
• No ritualistic oath-taking; modern revolutionary approach.
• Failure to integrate socio-economic programmes and peasant issues limited the movement’s reach.

Government Repression
• Over 20 repressive Acts applied.
• Collective fines, burning of villages and mass arrests.
• Nehru arrested (1933) for praising revolutionaries and condemning imperialism.

Why the Youth Turned to Revolutionary Action
• Impatience with slow constitutional politics.
• Emotional appeal of heroic martyrdom.
• Desire for rapid ideological change.
• Propaganda by deed: using direct action and court trials to inspire masses.

Redefining the Concept of Revolution
Revolution was broadened beyond violence:
• Aim: complete national liberation and establishment of a socialist society.
• End exploitation of labour ("man by man").
• Free the masses from superstition and caste-religious divisions.
• Build a progressive, secular, egalitarian social order.

Conclusion
The revolutionary movements of the 1920s played a vital role in infusing courage, sacrifice, and a spirit of defiance into the national movement. Though they lacked a mass base and could not overthrow British rule, their ideological clarity, martyrdom, and socialist vision deeply influenced India’s freedom struggle and future political orientation.

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Subject: Modern History

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