‘Kakori Train Action’

On August 9, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath paid tribute to the revolutionaries on the 100th anniversary of the Kakori Rail Conspiracy.

• The Government of Uttar Pradesh has renamed ‘Kakori Kand’, an important movement in the history of India’s freedom struggle, to ‘Kakori Train Action’.

About the Kakori Rail Conspiracy

• The Kakori Rail Conspiracy, also known as the Kakori Train Robbery, was a landmark event in India’s freedom struggle, executed on August 9, 1925, to challenge British exploitation and secure funds for revolutionary activities.
• The Event: Ten revolutionaries of the HRA boarded the Saharanpur–Lucknow passenger train near Kakori station, stopped it at Bajnagar, and seized government treasury funds amounting to ₹4,679, one aana, and six pai.
  • The act was symbolic, targeting colonial exploitation of Indian resources.
  • Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) was founded by Sachindra Nath Sanyal, Ram Prasad Bismil, and other revolutionaries in October 1924 with the aim to establish an independent India through organized and armed revolution.
• Main Participants
  • Ram Prasad Bismil: Chief planner of the robbery.
  • Ashfaqulla Khan: Escaped initially but was later captured.
  • Chandrashekhar Azad : Evaded arrest until his death in 1931.
  • Other Active participants: Rajendra Lahiri, Roshan Singh, Sachindra Nath Bakshi, Keshab Chakravarthy, Manmathnath Gupta, Murari Sharma, Mukundi Lal, Banwari Lal
    • One passenger, Ahmad Ali, died accidentally when a firearm discharged.

Legal Proceedings Against Participants

• The Legal Battle: The trial was held at the Special Sessions Court under Justice Archibald Hamilton.
  • Nineteen individuals were convicted under charges of conspiracy, murder, and robbery.
• Indian Representatives
  • Defence Lawyers: Govind Ballabh Pant and Chandra Bhanu Gupta (both later Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh).
  • Prosecution: Led by Jagat Narain Mulla, a prominent lawyer and political figure, assisted by his son Anand Narain Mulla.
• Outcome
  • Death Sentences: Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqulla Khan, Rajendra Lahiri, and Roshan Singh were executed in December 1927.
  • Life and Long-Term Imprisonments: Several others were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment or deported to the Cellular Jail in Port Blair.
  • Chandrashekhar Azad: Remained underground until his final encounter in 1931 at Alfred Park, Allahabad where he shot himself to avoid being shot by Britishers.

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