Udham Singh

Udham Singh, also known as Shaheed-i-Azam Udham Singh, was an Indian freedom fighter and revolutionary who is remembered for his role in the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and his subsequent act of revenge.

Early Life

There were many difficulties in Udham Singh's early years. In the age of British colonialism, he was born as Sher Singh on December 26, 1899, in Sunam, Punjab. His father, Tehal Singh, was a low-skilled, low-paid manual laborer, and his family was impoverished. Udham Singh experienced tragedy early in life when his mother died when he was a little boy. His father had a difficult time supporting the family. After their mother passed away, Udham Singh and his older brother Sadhu were left without maternal care when they were just three and five years old, respectively. In an attempt to support them, their father worked as a manual laborer and then as a watchman at a railroad crossing.

When his father passed unexpectedly in October 1907 while driving the two younger brothers to Amritsar, Udham Singh's life took a drastically different turn. After that, they were sent to an uncle, who struggled to provide for them. The brothers' eventual admission to the Central Khalsa Orphanage marked a pivotal moment in Udham Singh's life. He was christened "Udham Singh," which translates to "the upheaval," in the orphanage, where he was also fondly referred to as "Ude."

Impact of Jallianwala Bagh Massacre

The Jallianwala Bagh massacre, which happened in Amritsar on April 13, 1919, had a significant impact on Udham Singh's life. Colonel Reginald Dyer's British troops opened fire on a sizable unarmed gathering of people in Jallianwala Bagh during this sad incident. The gathering was made up of people who were peacefully protesting the arrests of Indian politicians under the Rowlatt Act as well as celebrating the Sikh holiday of Baisakhi. Several hundred people died, and hundreds of others were injured as a result of this terrible catastrophe. As Udham Singh and his orphanage pals watched the violence and bloodshed, they were there.

Udham Singh's mental state was permanently altered by the Jallianwala Bagh slaughter. His intense animosity toward British colonial power was fostered by witnessing the atrocities committed by the British authorities, especially the senseless slaughter of innocent Indians, which laid the groundwork for his future revolutionary activity.

Revolutionary Involvement

Udham Singh became involved in revolutionary activity after witnessing the atrocities of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the ensuing persecution of the Indian freedom struggle. Prominent participants in the Indian independence movement, such as Bhagat Singh and his revolutionary organization, had a profound impact on him.

Udham Singh became a member of the Ghadar Party in 1924, a group devoted to freeing India from British colonial control. Indian expatriates were mobilized by the Ghadar Party to fight for the removal of colonial rule. His actions did not go unnoticed, nonetheless, and in 1927, Bhagat Singh personally gave him the order to return to India with a cache of revolvers along with 25 companions. Regrettably, his participation in the revolutionary movement resulted in his apprehension and eventual verdict for unlawful gun ownership. Despite receiving a five-year prison sentence, his spirit never wavered.

Mission for Vengeance

Because of his revolutionary past, Udham Singh was constantly watched by the Punjab Police following his release from prison in 1931. He was committed to completing his aim of avenging the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy despite these obstacles.

He traveled to Kashmir and finally fled to Germany in an attempt to avoid detection and carry out his plan. When he landed in London in 1934, he looked for work and secretly made preparations to kill Michael O'Dwyer, the lieutenant governor of Punjab at the time of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, who had openly supported General Dyer's brutal tactics.

Michael O'Dwyer's Assassination

On March 13, 1940, Udham Singh carried out the mission's culmination when he was able to kill Michael O'Dwyer. O'Dwyer was due to speak at a joint gathering of the Central Asian Society and the East India Association at London's Caxton Hall. Through the use of a ticket issued in his wife's name, Udham Singh was able to get entry to the event.

Using a cunning ploy to elude discovery, he hid a small pistol inside a book with its pages ripped to resemble a revolver inside the hallway. Udham Singh opened fire, striking O'Dwyer twice as he approached the speaking platform as the event came to an end.

O'Dwyer died almost instantly when one of the bullets hit his right lung and heart. The shooting also caused injuries to a number of other people. Udham Singh was taken into custody right away after the assassination, and the handgun that was used in the assault was taken as proof.

Trial and Death

Judge Cyril Atkinson presided over Udham Singh's trial, which started on June 4, 1940, in the Central Criminal Court, Old Bailey. Prominent attorneys V.K. Krishna Menon and St. John Hutchinson represented him during the trial, with G. B. McClure serving as the prosecution attorney.

When questioned about his intentions, Udham Singh candidly admitted that he felt Michael O'Dwyer deserved his fate and harbored a deep-seated hate against him. He went on to declare his steadfast dedication to the cause of Indian independence, saying he would sacrifice his life to ensure his nation's freedom. After that, he was found guilty of murder and given the death penalty. Udham Singh was hanged at London's Pentonville Prison on July 31, 1940. At the Jallianwala Bagh memorial in Amritsar, Punjab, his remains were kept intact.

Final Words of Udham Singh

Before his execution, Udham Singh made a strong and impassioned speech in which he criticized British Imperialism and underlined his readiness to give his life in defense of India's independence. He fervently advocated for the independence of the Indian people and described their suffering under British tyranny. He also said that, while he was critical of the British Imperialist Government, he had nothing against the English and was quite sympathetic to English workers.

Responses and Heritage

Reactions to Udham Singh's act of retaliation were mixed. Some praised him as a champion for freedom and a patriot, while others thought his acts were contentious or stupid. Notably, Singh's acts were first denounced by the Indian National Congress notable Jawahar Lal Nehru. But in 1962, he changed his mind and praised Udham Singh for his sacrifice for the sake of India's independence.

Regarding Udham Singh's deed, the international press likewise had differing views. Some described him as a liberation fighter and an outlet for the Indian people's repressed rage against colonial oppression.

As a reminder of the Jallianwala Bagh atrocity and a symbol of India's fight for freedom, Udham Singh's legacy lives on. There are still memorial services and celebrations in his honor, and the struggle to free India from British colonial domination is still associated with him.

Conclusion

Udham Singh's story reflects the deep impact of historical injustices and the resilience of individuals who sought to fight against colonial rule. His legacy continues to inspire those who strive for justice and freedom.