Surya Sen: Chittagong Raid, Struggle & Indian Republican Army

Surya Sen: Teacher Turned Freedom Fighter

Surya Kumar Sen, popularly known as Masterda, was born in Noapara, Chittagong in Bangladesh, on March 22, 1894. By profession, he was a school teacher. While in college, he was influenced by revolutionary nationalist ideas. He then joined Anushilan Samiti in 1916. The Anushilan Saminiti was determined to oust the British from India. He played an important role in India’s struggle for freedom. Surya Kumar Sen was arrested in 1933 and hanged by the British on 12 January 1934.

Masterda’s Chittagong Raid: Heroic Struggle for Freedom

Surya Sen was a prominent leader of the Indian independence struggle. His contributions to the various nationalist movements are as follows:

• Non-Cooperation Movement: NCM was a nationwide movement of masses against British rule, launched on September 5, 1920. Surya Sen actively participated in NCM. For his anti-colonial activities during NCM, he was detained in the late 1920s.
• Chittagong Armoury Raid: During the Civil disobedience movement, Surya Sen led an armoury attack in Chittagong on 18th April 1930. Surya Sen along with Ganesh Ghosh, Pritilata Wadedar, and others launched an attack on the colonial administration and machinery in Chittagong. They aimed to destroy the communication lines of the government in Chittagong, raid the police and the auxiliary forces’ armoury, and get hold of the weapons. They planned to distribute the confiscated weapons among the activists, who could then launch an armed struggle against the British. They were successful in disrupting the telegraph and railway lines and raided the armoury, but they failed to find ammunition. They declared Chittagong independent, announced a provisional government there, and appealed to the youth to join them.

Conclusion

It was a leader among the revolutionaries. His contribution to India’s struggle for freedom is unparalleled. He was an efficient organizer and leader. He was also known for remarking that “Humanism is a distinctive virtue of a revolutionary”.

The Surya Sen FAQs

Q1. Chittagong Armoury raid was associated with which nationalist movement?

Ans. The Chittagong Armoury Raid was conducted on 18th April 1930, during the Civil Disobedience Movement.

Q2. Who were the leaders associated with the Chittagong Armoury Raid?

Ans. He was the leader of the Chittagong Raid. Others associated with the raid were Pritilata Waddedar, Kalpana Dutta, Ganesh Ghosh etc.

Q3. What was the objective of the Indian Republican Army?

Ans. The main objective of the Indian Republican army was to challenge British authority by leading an organized struggle against them.

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