Shivaram Rajguru

Shivaram Hari Rajguru (24 August 1908 — 23 March 1931) was an Indian revolutionary from Maharashtra, known mainly for his involvement in the assassination of a British police officer named John Saunders. He was an active member of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) and on 23 March 1931 he was hanged by the British government along with his associates Bhagat Singh and Sukhdev Thapar.

Early life

Rajguru was born on 24 August 1908 at Khed to Parvati Devi and Harinarain Rajguru in a Marathi Deshastha Brahmin family. Khed was located at the bank of river Bheema near Pune. His father died when he was only six years old and the responsibility of family fell on his elder brother Dinkar. He received primary education at Khed and later studied in New English High School in Pune. He joined Seva Dal at a young age. He attended training camp conducted by Dr. N. S. Hardikar at Ghatprabha

Revolutionary activities

He was a member of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association, who wanted India to be free from British rule by any means necessary.

Rajguru became a colleague of Bhagat Singh and Sukhdev, and took part in the assassination of a British police officer, John Saunders, at Lahore on 17 December 1928. Their actions were to avenge the death of Lala Lajpat Rai who had died a fortnight after being hit by police while on a march protesting the Simon Commission. Rai’s death resulted from the police action.

The three men and 21 other co-conspirators were tried under the provisions of a regulation that was introduced in 1929 specifically for that purpose. All three were convicted of the charges.

Executions

Scheduled for hanging on 24 March, three freedom fighters were hanged a day earlier on 23 March 1931. They were cremated at Hussainiwala at the banks of the Sutlej river in the Ferozepur district of Punjab.

Reactions to the executions

The executions were reported widely by the press, especially as they took place on the eve of the annual convention of the Congress party at Karachi. The New York Times reported:

A reign of terror in the city of Cawnpore in the United Provinces and an attack on Mahatma Gandhi by a youth outside Karachi were among the answers of the Indian extremists today to the hanging of Bhagat Singh and two fellow-assassins.

Shivaram Hari Rajguru (24 August 1908 — 23 March 1931) was an Indian revolutionary from Maharashtra, known mainly for his involvement in the assassination of a British police officer named John Saunders. He was an active member of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) and on 23 March 1931 he was hanged by the British government along with his associates Bhagat Singh and Sukhdev Thapar.

Early life

Rajguru was born on 24 August 1908 at Khed to Parvati Devi and Harinarain Rajguru in a Marathi Deshastha Brahmin family. Khed was located at the bank of river Bheema near Pune. His father died when he was only six years old and the responsibility of family fell on his elder brother Dinkar. He received primary education at Khed and later studied in New English High School in Pune. He joined Seva Dal at a young age. He attended training camp conducted by Dr. N. S. Hardikar at Ghatprabha

Revolutionary activities

He was a member of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association, who wanted India to be free from British rule by any means necessary.

Rajguru became a colleague of Bhagat Singh and Sukhdev, and took part in the assassination of a British police officer, John Saunders, at Lahore on 17 December 1928. Their actions were to avenge the death of Lala Lajpat Rai who had died a fortnight after being hit by police while on a march protesting the Simon Commission. Rai’s death resulted from the police action.

The three men and 21 other co-conspirators were tried under the provisions of a regulation that was introduced in 1929 specifically for that purpose. All three were convicted of the charges.

Executions

Scheduled for hanging on 24 March, three freedom fighters were hanged a day earlier on 23 March 1931. They were cremated at Hussainiwala at the banks of the Sutlej river in the Ferozepur district of Punjab.

Reactions to the executions

The executions were reported widely by the press, especially as they took place on the eve of the annual convention of the Congress party at Karachi. The New York Times reported:

A reign of terror in the city of Cawnpore in the United Provinces and an attack on Mahatma Gandhi by a youth outside Karachi were among the answers of the Indian extremists today to the hanging of Bhagat Singh and two fellow-assassins.

Legacy and memorials