Dr. Raghavendra Kumar Raghav–
प्रधान संपादक, इण्डियन वॉयस 24
August 9, 1925, is etched in the annals of Indian history as a day of courage and defiance. On this day, a group of revolutionaries, led by the fearless Ram Prasad Bismil, executed a daring plan to loot the British government’s treasury being transported by train near Kakori Railway Station, Lucknow. This incident, known as the Kakori case, was a watershed moment in India’s freedom struggle, showcasing the revolutionaries’ determination to challenge the British rule.
The Kakori incident was not just a random act of robbery but a meticulously planned operation aimed at funding the revolutionaries’ activities against the British government. The British rule had been suffocating India for centuries, and the revolutionaries were determined to bring an end to it. Led by Ram Prasad Bismil, a group of brave hearts hatched a plan to loot the British government’s treasury, which would provide them with the necessary funds to wage a fierce war against the colonial powers.
The plan was simple yet daring. Rajendranath Lahiri, a key member of the group, would stop the “Down Saharanpur-Lucknow Passenger Train” at Kakori Railway Station by pulling the chain. Then, under the leadership of Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqulla Khan, Chandrashekhar Azad, and six other associates would loot the government treasury from the guard’s compartment. The revolutionaries knew that this act would invite severe retaliation from the British government, but they were willing to take the risk for the sake of India’s freedom.
On that fateful day, the plan was executed with precision. Rajendranath Lahiri stopped the train, and the revolutionaries quickly got to work. However, things did not go entirely as planned. Initially, they tried to open the box but failed. Then, Ashfaqulla Khan handed his pistol to Manmath Nath Gupta and started breaking the box with a hammer. In the chaos, Manmath Nath Gupta accidentally fired the pistol, killing a passenger named Ahmed Ali on the spot. The revolutionaries quickly grabbed the treasure, filled with silver coins and notes, and fled, leaving behind a blanket.
The next day, the news spread like wildfire through newspapers, sending shockwaves across the country. The British government took the train robbery seriously and assigned Scotland’s toughest police, led by CID Inspector Tasadduk Hussain, to investigate. The British government was determined to crush the revolution. The British government charged 40 revolutionaries of the Hindustan Republican Association with waging an armed war against the emperor, looting the government treasury, and murdering passengers. The trial was a sham, with the British government determined to sentence the revolutionaries to death. Rajendranath Lahiri, Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqulla Khan, and Thakur Roshan Singh were sentenced to death. Sixteen other revolutionaries were sentenced to prison terms ranging from four years to life imprisonment.
The Kakori case was a turning point in India’s freedom struggle. It showed that the revolutionaries were willing to take bold action against the British government, even if it meant sacrificing their lives. The incident inspired a new generation of revolutionaries to take up the cause of India’s freedom.
Today, the Kakori incident is remembered as a heroic act of defiance against the British rule. The revolutionaries who participated in the conspiracy are celebrated as martyrs, and their sacrifice is remembered as a crucial step towards India’s independence.
Finally the Kakori incident was a daring act of defiance that showcased the revolutionaries’ determination to challenge the British rule. The incident was a turning point in India’s freedom struggle, inspiring a new generation of revolutionaries to take up the cause of India’s freedom. The sacrifice of the revolutionaries who participated in the incident will always be remembered as a crucial step towards India’s independence.
