Lala Lajpat Rai Biography

About Lala Lajpat Rai

Lala Lajpat Rai, popularly known as Punjab Kesari, was a famous freedom fighter of India. He was one of the three extremist members of the Indian National Congress who gave their life for the independence of India along with other two members Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Bipin Chandra Pal. They were collectively known as Lal-Bal-Pal. These extremist members of the Indian National Congress wanted self-government for India and they were the first Indian leaders to demand the complete political independence for the country.

He was one of the important members of the Hindu Maha Sabha. Lala Lajpat Rai was the president of the All India Trade Union Congress in 1920. He was the leader of Punjab in protests against the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre. He also led the non-cooperation movement in Punjab. Lala Lajpat Rai was highly influenced by socialist reformer Swami Dayananda Saraswati and was the strong supporter of the Arya Samaj movement in Punjab.

Personal Life

Born on 28 January 1865, in Dhudike (now in Moga district, Punjab), he was the eldest son of Munshi Radha Krishna Azad and Gulab Devi. He did his initial education in Government Higher Secondary School, Rewari (presently Haryana, previously in Punjab).

Protests against Simon Commission and Death

He was at the forefront of the protest against the Simon Commission. Leading the demonstration against the Simon Commission he fell prey to the lathis of the British police and got seriously injured. But undeterred by his injury he spoke vigorously, “Every blow aimed at me is a nail in the coffin of British imperialism,” at the meeting held same evening. Though his injuries were healed but he could not recover completely and succumbed to his injuries on 17 November, 1928.

Works

Apart from being a freedom fighter, Lala Lajpat Rai was a prolific writer also. Some of his books such as the United States of America: A Hindu’s Impression and a Study, History of the Arya Samaj: Swaraj and Social Change, and England’s Debt to India: A Historical Narrative of Britain’s Fiscal Policy in India find special mention. This leader also founded the Punjab National Bank and the Lakshmi Insurance Company.

Gulab Devi Chest Hospital

Lala Lajpat Rai established a trust to come up with a hospital and run it to treat women suffering from Tuberculosis. This initiative was taken in memory of his mother who died of Tuberculosis. Later the hospital was opened in 17 July 1934 and named Gulab Devi Chest Hospital.

Facts and Information about Lala Lajpat Rai