Brind
31st July 1940
.....a date when a young man gave his life for the freedom of his country. He took revenge on the British for the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre in Amritsar where as a young boy, he witnessed thousands of innocent people lose their lives – men, women and children. From this day onwards, the life of this incredible child changed. The event which he used to recall with rage and sadness turned him into the path of activism.
After the tragic events, Udham Singh left India and went to USA where he learned the aggressive activities of the Babar Akali’s. With their knowledge on board he returned India where he was soon jailed for four years, for smuggling in revolvers.
After his release in 1931, Udham Singh opened up a shop in Amritsar. During this time he adopted the name “Ram Mohammed Singh Azad”, symbolizing the unification of the three major religions of India.
Again, Udham Singh left India and travelled around the continents, before finally reaching his destination, England, in the mid 1930’s. It was his chance to avenge the tragedy of the Amritsar Jallinwala Bagh massacre, which he witnessed as a child.
His target was Sir Michael O’Dwyer, who was governor of Punjab when the massacre had taken place. On 13th March 1940, in the Caxton Hall, London, where a meeting of the East India Association was being held in conjunction with the Royal Central Asian Society, Udham Singh fired six shots from his pistol at Sir Michael O’Dwyer, landing two shots which instantly killed him. The Secretary of State for India who was also present at the meeting was injured from the gunfire, along with Lord Lamington who had his hand shattered. Udham Singh did not escape as that was not his aim. He was arrested on the spot. As he was ushered away he expressed his happiness saying that he had accomplished his mission for his people, and country.
Udham Singh was formally charged with the murder of O’Dwyer and soon afterwards committed to trial on 4th June 1940. When asked his name in court he replied:
"Ram Mohammad Singh Azad".
Udham Singh explained his deeds:-
“I did it because I had a grudge against him. He deserved it.”
The judge sentenced him to death by hanging. An appeal, on his behalf was dismissed on 15th July. On 31st July 1940, Udham Singh kissed the noose of the rope, before becoming shaheed in London’s Pentonville Prison.
Shaheed Udham Singh, we salute you and ALL the other SHAHEEDS who have given their life for their country.
31st July 1940
.....a date when a young man gave his life for the freedom of his country. He took revenge on the British for the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre in Amritsar where as a young boy, he witnessed thousands of innocent people lose their lives – men, women and children. From this day onwards, the life of this incredible child changed. The event which he used to recall with rage and sadness turned him into the path of activism.
After the tragic events, Udham Singh left India and went to USA where he learned the aggressive activities of the Babar Akali’s. With their knowledge on board he returned India where he was soon jailed for four years, for smuggling in revolvers.
After his release in 1931, Udham Singh opened up a shop in Amritsar. During this time he adopted the name “Ram Mohammed Singh Azad”, symbolizing the unification of the three major religions of India.
Again, Udham Singh left India and travelled around the continents, before finally reaching his destination, England, in the mid 1930’s. It was his chance to avenge the tragedy of the Amritsar Jallinwala Bagh massacre, which he witnessed as a child.
His target was Sir Michael O’Dwyer, who was governor of Punjab when the massacre had taken place. On 13th March 1940, in the Caxton Hall, London, where a meeting of the East India Association was being held in conjunction with the Royal Central Asian Society, Udham Singh fired six shots from his pistol at Sir Michael O’Dwyer, landing two shots which instantly killed him. The Secretary of State for India who was also present at the meeting was injured from the gunfire, along with Lord Lamington who had his hand shattered. Udham Singh did not escape as that was not his aim. He was arrested on the spot. As he was ushered away he expressed his happiness saying that he had accomplished his mission for his people, and country.
Udham Singh was formally charged with the murder of O’Dwyer and soon afterwards committed to trial on 4th June 1940. When asked his name in court he replied:
"Ram Mohammad Singh Azad".
Udham Singh explained his deeds:-
“I did it because I had a grudge against him. He deserved it.”
The judge sentenced him to death by hanging. An appeal, on his behalf was dismissed on 15th July. On 31st July 1940, Udham Singh kissed the noose of the rope, before becoming shaheed in London’s Pentonville Prison.
Shaheed Udham Singh, we salute you and ALL the other SHAHEEDS who have given their life for their country.