Sardar Udham Singh: Indian Freedom Fighter and his Legacy

Context: Shaheed Udham Singh Martyrdom Day 2025 was observed on July 31 to commemorate the sacrifice of Udham Singh for India’s struggle against British colonial rule.

Who was Sardar Udham Singh?

• Udham Singh was born on 26 December 1899 in Sunam, Punjab. He was a prominent Indian revolutionary.
• Sardar Udham Singh was profoundly influenced by the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the Nankana Sahib tragedy.
• Became an active member of the Ghadar Party, a revolutionary group of overseas Indians.
• Later, he founded his own group called the Azad Party.
• He was known for smuggling arms to aid Indian revolutionaries and was ideologically influenced by Bhagat Singh.

Impact of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre

• The massacre on 13 April 1919 left a deep impression on him.
• It became a driving force behind his determination to avenge British brutality.

Act of Revenge

• On 13 March 1940, in London, Udham Singh assassinated Michael O’Dwyer, former Lieutenant Governor of Punjab.
• O’Dwyer had defended General Reginald Dyer’s actions during the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

Aftermath and Execution

• Udham Singh was arrested, tried, and later executed by hanging on 31 July 1940 at Pentonville Prison, London.

Symbolism of His Identity

• He used various aliases, notably ‘Mohammed Singh Azad’, to represent communal unity—Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs—against British imperialism.

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