SOUTH ASIAN HISTORY
Revolutionary writings during the Indian Freedom Struggle
The Indian Freedom Movement
Other Historical Records
Writings of Shaheed Bhagat Singh:-
| "The aim of life is no more to control the mind, but to develop it harmoniously; not to achieve salvation here after, but to make the best use of it here below; and not to realize truth, beauty and good only in contemplation, but also in-the actual experience of daily life; social progress depends not upon the ennoblement of the few but on the enrichment of democracy; universal brotherhood can be achieved only when there is an equality of opportunity - of opportunity in the social, political and individual life." - Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Prison Diary |
Time and time again, Shaheed Bhagat Singh expressed himself on the concept of "Revolution", in letters to his co-patriots, in statements in court, and in other writings - here are some excerpts:
|
"Revolution" does not merely mean an upheaval or a sanguinary strife - nor is there any place in it for individual vendetta. It is not the cult of the bomb and the pistol. Revolution necessarily implies the programme of systematic reconstruction of society on a new and better basis..... ...by "Revolution" we mean that the present order of things, which is based on manifest injustice, must change. The peasant who grows corn for all, starves with his family; the weaver who supplies the world market with textile fabrics, has not enough to cover his own and his children's bodies; masons, smiths and carpenters who raise magnificent palaces, live like pariahs in the slums... |
| ....the sense in which the word "Revolution" is used in that phrase, is the spirit, the longing for a change for the better. The people generally get accustomed to the established order of things and begin to tremble at the very idea of a change. It is this lethargical spirit that needs be replaced by the revolutionary spirit. Otherwise degeneration gains the upper hand and all of humanity is led astray by reactionary forces. Such a state of affairs leads to stagnation and paralysis in human progress... from a letter to Shri Ramanand Chaterji, editor of Modern Review |
For other writings of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, see:-
Essays, Letters, Revolutionary Statements in Court
Records of the HSRA (Hindustan Socialist Republican Army) and other associates of Shaheed Bhagat Singh:-
Court cases, British government ordinances, petitions, editorials, party manifestoes, etc.
Back to Key Landmarks in the Indian Freedom Struggle
Related Articles:
"Moderates" versus "Extremists" in the battle for "Swaraj" and "Swadeshi"
Also see documents of the Ghadar Movement
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