Lala Lajpat Rai

Lala Lajpat Rai, a well-known writer and politician, was born in Dhudike village, Ferozepur district, Punjab state, on January 28, 1865. Nanihal (grandmother’s home) is where he saw the world for the first time. As a youngster, Lala Lajpat Rai was in poor health due to his birth in a malaria-prone location. He was often affected by malaria as a youngster. 

Education

Radhakrishna, the father of Lala Lajpat Rai,  got the opportunity to study Islam at school since his instructor was a practising Muslim. Many students converted to Islam as a consequence of their teacher’s perseverance, honesty, and faith in Islam. During Ramadan, Radhakrishna used to fast and pray. Despite his desire to do so, Gulab Devi’s efforts prevented him from abandoning his religious views (mother of Lala Lajpat Rai).

To pursue his schooling, he relocated to Lahore. It costs Rs. 5000 to fly from Lahore to Delhi. After a three-month stay in Delhi, he and his mother returned to Jagran. He was given a full scholarship at Mission High School in Ludhiana, Punjab. Lajpat married Radha Devi a year after completing his intermediate exams. They were unable to attend class due to sickness.

His father relocated the family to Ambala from Shimla.

He graduated from Calcutta and Panjab universities in 1880. When he was 16 years old, he enrolled at Lahore’s only school. His father, Lala Lajpat Rai, gave Lala Lajpat Rai a free education. Written communication had previously been an option for them. He received an Intermediate F.A. and a Mukhtar in 1882-1883. (diploma of advocacy).

Politics

Inspired by the love of his homeland, Lala Lajpat Rai became an advocate for Hindi independence. As a result of the Hindi movement, Gurudutt and Hansraj became household names. Gurudutt and Lala Lajpat Rai helped gather 1,000 signatures for the Hindi Memorial.

While at Ambala in 1882, Lala Lajpat Rai took to the stage to defend Hindi. Reports were written and delivered to the Principal of Government College by the magistrates. As a result, the Principal issued a strong warning.

In 1907, he was deported to Mandalay, Burma, without being convicted of his role in the Indian National Congress and political uprisings in Punjab. Lord Minto, the viceroy, could not show his guilt of subversion. Therefore he returned the next year. He established the National College at Bradlaugh Hall, Lahore, and accepted Bhagat Singh as a student. The Indian National Congress chose Lala Lajpat Rai as its president in 1920. He documented his meetings with members of the Sikh community while touring the United States in a travelogue published in 1916.

According to Rai, major nations should recognise India’s painful history under British rule. In 1914, he moved to the United Kingdom, and from 1917 to 1920, he lived in the United States. In New York, the Indian Home Rule League and Hindustan Information Services Association and Young India, a monthly publication, were founded.

Rai sent a 32-page letter to the U.S. Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, criticising the British Raj’s mismanagement and requesting moral support for India’s independence struggle. Purna Swaraj, he believed, was India’s only chance (complete independence). He campaigned for office in the legislature as a free man after his release from prison in 1923. Lala Lajpat Rai has achieved the title of the ‘Punjab Kesari’. It signifies the Lion of Punjab.

Role of Rai as an influencer

Lala Lajpat Rai was not only a great leader of the Indian Nationalist Movement, but also his opinions on patriotism and nationalism gained him the position of a revered leader. He used to inspire the young generation with patriotism and nationalism.

About the Legacy

We will always remember Lala Lajpat Rai because of his remarkable personality. He was known for his leadership qualities and his presence in education, commerce, and healthcare. Lala Lajpat Rai was a great supporter of Dayanand Saraswati. So, they supported establishing the nationalistic Dayanand Anglo-Vedic schools. Rai instigated the organisation of a bank, which was later developed and known as the ‘Punjab National Bank.’ Rai opened a trust in mother Gulabi Devi’s name in 1927 And then supervised the beginning of a tuberculosis hospital for women called Gulabi Devi Chest Hospital.

Conclusion

On October 30, 1928, a procession headed by Lajpat Rai was organised in a peaceful protest against the Simon Commission’s arrival in Lahore. When the march was stopped, Scott, the police superintendent, ordered his men to “lathi-charge” the demonstrators. As a consequence of the police’s efforts, Lajpat Rai was wounded. Lala Lajpat Rai was seriously hurt and killed due to the struggle. Bhagat Singh and his companions plotted to murder Scott in retribution for the death of Lala Lajpat Rai. J.P. Saunders, a police assistant superintendent, was slain by revolutionaries who mistook him for Scott.