Shaheed Udham Singh

Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah paid tribute to the freedom fighter, Shaheed Udham Singh, on his 126th birth anniversary.

About Shaheed Udham Singh

• Birth: Born on December 26, 1899, in the village of Sunam (in undivided Punjab, now in Pakistan)
• Ideological Foundation: 
  • His exposure to Sikhism and revolutionary activities, including the Komagata Maru incident and the Ghadar Party’s uprising, played a significant role in shaping his anti-colonial stance.
  • The Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919 marked a pivotal moment in Singh’s life, igniting his desire for justice and freedom
  • This horrific incident became a turning point for Singh, and he vowed to avenge the massacre by targeting Michael O’Dwyer, the Lieutenant Governor of Punjab, who had ordered the killings.
• Revolutionary Actions: 
  • In 1924, Singh joined the Ghadar Party, a revolutionary organization aimed at overthrowing British colonial rule.
  • However, in 1927, he was arrested for the illegal possession of firearms and sentenced to five years in prison.
• Assassination of Michael O’Dwyer: In 1940, Singh carried out his long-planned assassination of Michael O’Dwyer at a meeting at Caxton Hall in London. 
• Trial and Execution: Following the assassination, Udham Singh was tried, sentenced to death, and hanged at Pentonville Prison in London. 
• Adoption of the Name ‘Ram Mohammad Singh Azad’: During his time in British custody, Singh used the name ‘Ram Mohammad Singh Azad’, representing the unity of India’s three major religions – Hinduism, Islam, and Sikhism – and symbolizing his commitment to secularism and anti-colonial sentiments.

Check Out UPSC CSE Books

Visit PW Store

Legacy of Shaheed Udham Singh

• Symbol of Resistance and Sacrifice: Udham Singh’s legacy extends beyond his revolutionary act. He is remembered as a symbol of fearless resistance and selfless sacrifice in the fight for India’s independence. 
• Udham Singh Nagar District: The Shaheed Udham Singh Nagar district in Uttarakhand was named in his honor by the then Chief Minister of undivided Uttar Pradesh.
• Martyrdom Day Observance: His martyrdom day, July 31, is observed as a public holiday in the states of Punjab and Haryana to honor his sacrifice.
• Statue at Jallianwala Bagh: In 2018, a 10-foot-tall statue of Shaheed Udham Singh was unveiled at the main entrance of Jallianwala Bagh commissioned by the International Sarv Kamboj Samaj.
• Museum in Amritsar: A museum dedicated to Udham Singh stands near Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar, preserving his memory close to the site of the massacre that fueled his revolutionary resolve.
• Musical Tributes: Udham Singh’s legacy is also reflected in popular culture, including music tracks like “Assassin” by the Asian Dub Foundation (1998) and “Frank Brazil” by The Ska Vengers (2015).
• Exhibits at Scotland Yard: The Black Museum of Scotland Yard houses several personal items of Udham Singh, including his knife, diary, and a bullet from the O’Dwyer assassination.

DOWNLOAD PDF