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Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
British bounty lure in Kakori Action was more than ‘loot' amount itself
Lucknow: The Kakori Action in 1925 was about looting about Rs 4,601 from the 8 Down train. But the worth of this incident was way more. The then administration announced a bounty of Rs 5,000 to anyone who helped nab the doers. An advertisement was published by the then authorities in the local papers. One such ad in the local daily called Hamdam dated Aug 27, 1925, lured people to give information on the executors and earn Rs 5,000. "The advertisement stated that those giving information about them would have the chance to win a prize money of Rs 5,000. It also shared details of the currency notes which were looted by the revolutionaries and promised to give adequate reward for those giving any information on the currency notes," said Shah Alam, a collector of historical documents. The advertisement was also included in contemporary novels based on the incident. An Urdu novel titled 'Kakori Dakaiti' by Maulana Hasrat Maulvi Fazil Lakhnawi in 1926 is a case in point. A Hindi translation of the book has been brought out by the Kanpur Itihaas Samiti recently. "It is well known that there was excessive govt control on the press and media under British rule. Maybe that is why writers used the garb of fiction to present facts. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Rinding: 500+ Free Arduino Projects CircuitDigest Learn More Undo When we compared the book with official documents, we could sense that facts of the incident were weaved in a fictional plot," said samiti general secretary Anup Shukla. Mentioning that he along with Prakhar Srivastava undertook the translation work, Shukla said: "Those who can read the original must do so as often translations cannot to full justice to the primary thought." He also found several elements interesting. "The author introduced the revolutionaries as 'aman pasand' (peace-loving). He was probably a teacher who took to writing down the book. This compels me to believe that the incident must have left a deep impression on people's minds," he said. Alam said the advertisement speaks of the desperation. "The fact that the bounty for giving any information on the revolutionaries was more than the total amount looted indicates that the British administration had taken the blow as a challenge," he said. Kakori loot amount values Rs 26.2 lakh today Assessments indicate that the value of Rs 4,601 (USD 1,667.03 in 1925) taken away by the revolutionaries on Aug 9, 1925, has grown manyfold in the past 100 years. When converted using the dollar exchange rate method and adjusted for US inflation to 2025, the amount comes to around Rs 26 lakh. Experts believe that the amount was big enough to digress a weak-willed soul from the nationalist path and take them on the road to betrayal. Eventually currency notes proved to be a crucial link that put British investigating officer RA Horton on a money trail which ended with the first arrest two months later. Newspapers called Kakori Action 'serious' and 'sensational' While local newspapers reported the Kakori Train action on Aug 10, news on the incident was taken in English papers one or two days later. The unmissable dare-devilry was, however, given its due prominence. The Leader — English daily founded by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya published from Allahabad (now Prayagraj) — pulled the report released by news agency Associated Press. The report — titled as 'A Serious Railway Dacoity' — presented finer details of the event such as the time of the event and described the scene but pegged the total loss due to the incident to Rs 10,000. An Indian daily used the slug 'Amazing outrage' in a report titled 'Lucknow Train Hold-up — Masked bandits — Passenger Shot Dead'. The intro read: "A sensational report of a raid of a train by armed and masked bandits comes from Kakori, a station on the Oudh and Rohilkhand Railway — eight miles from Lucknow. While part of a well organised gang of 20 stopped the train by pulling the communication cord and robbed the guard's van of chest containing Rs 2,000, others armed with revolvers boarded the train keeping watch over the passenger compartments. A passenger who offered resistance was shot dead and a European and an Indian were wounded. All members of the gang escaped." Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Independence Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
Time of India
10-08-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Kakori Action recalled
Lucknow: The year 1922 in Indian struggle for Independence was marked by significant events that shaped the course of the freedom movement, one of the most notable being the Kakori Train Robbery, which, although occurred in 1925, was deeply rooted in revolutionary fervour reignited after suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1922. This was stated by renowned academicians during a national seminar at C B Gupta BSS College, Chandrawal, Lucknow, under joint auspices of Bharat Seva Sansthan and Motilal Memorial Society, to commemorate 100th anniversary of Kakori Action (1925-2025), on Saturday. Former head of Lucknow University's political science department Prof Ramesh Dixit said "1922 was a year of despair when Gandhi suspended Non-Cooperation Movement, prompting revolutionaries to loot the Kakori train and oppose British imperialism. " He said Ram Prasad Bismil and Ashfaqullah Khan worked gave shape to this plan. Kakori case, fought at the GPO (then a court), was remembered for sacrifices of Bismil, Ashfaqullah Khan, Rajendra Nath Lahiri and Thakur Roshan Singh, urging new generation to dedicate themselves to the nation with courage. TNN Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Hindustan Times
09-08-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
From Kakori to Aminabad, twin sites resonate with spirit of freedom fighters' valour
History merges with the timeless appeal of valour in the quest for freedom at the sleepy village of Kakori, about 20 km from the state capital, and the 120-year-old Chhedi Lal Dharmshala in a busy lane of Aminabad in the heart of Lucknow. The two sites pulsate with the spirit of patriotism even 100 years after the Kakori Train Action that dealt a blow to the British government's prestige. The Chhedi Lal Dharmshala in Aminabad, Lucknow. (Mushtaq Ali/HT Photo) A visit to Room No. 227 on the first floor of the Chhedi Lal Dharmshala conjures images of the day when Ram Prasad Bismil and his nine fellow freedom fighters might have come in while quietly planning the Kakori Action for August 8, 1925 initially. The room is the only renovated one at the dharmshala. 'We thought it should be honoured in the name of those who gave up their lives for the cause of freedom. We got the room renovated in 2019,' said dharmshala manager Ram Nath Gupta. In his book 'Lucknow ka Krantiteerth', Udai Khatri, historian and son of freedom fighter Ramkrishna Khatri, mentions that most of the revolutionaries stayed at Chhedi Lal Dharmshala, not as a group but as strangers. 'At the decided time, they all assembled and began walking towards the railway station. However, once they reached it, they found out that they missed the Number 8 down-train from Shahjahanpur to Lucknow, making them shift their plan for the next day,' the book mentions. They decided to take no chances and left Lucknow to reach the previous station and boarded the train on August 9. Three of them –Ashfaqullah Khan, Rajendra Nath Lahiri and Sachindra Nath Bakshi – took second class tickets. The others, including Ram Prasad Bismil, Chandrashekhar Azad, Mukundilal, Murarilal, Kundanlal, Banwarilal and Manmathnath Gupta, travelled third class and spread over the entire train, said Prof Aroop Chakrabarty, former head of the medieval and modern history department of Lucknow University. 'Those in the second class pulled the chain, the abrupt stoppage led to some commotion. The members jumped out to execute the plan. One of them rushed towards the engine while another headed to overpower the guard and take charge of the railway treasury,' Chakrabarty said. 'Carrying Germany-made Mauser pistols, they were quick to overpower the guard who was made to lie down on his belly. Two men stood on each side of the railway line while another group pushed out the heavy iron safe carrying railway collections from the stations on the route. Two of them who carried a huge hammer and chisel got into action on the safe. They fearlessly worked on the mission, however, when they saw a train progressing near them, they became a bit panicky, but they continued to accomplish the task and the train whistled off,' he said. Mita Bakshi, granddaughter of freedom fighter Sachindra Nath Bakshi who faced trial in the case, said the mission was planned to get more funds to buy more Mauser pistols from Germany. 'The members of Hindustan Socialist Republican Association had accomplished several small missions in villages and all those involved in any of these missions were taken under trial as part of the Kakori Train Action case,' Mita Bakshi said. As per an archival document (Hindustan Times has a copy) , a case was registered in the name of 28 people under Sections 121 (A) and 120 (B) of the Indian Penal Code read with Sections 396 and 302 of IPC after the three complaints by an English officer Horton. 'Mr Horton explains the cartridges which were recovered from the scene of the train dacoity – He says that were ten 300 bore German pistol cartridges. Three other and two more similar cartridges were marked respectively. Out of all these cartridges, twelve were marked DWMKK and one of these was loaded. All these were Mauser pistol cartridges,' the document reads. It also mentions that cash worth ₹3541, 3 paisa and 6 annas, GC notes worth ₹1012 and vouchers worth ₹125 and 14 paisa were carried away by the freedom fighters. Once the revolutionaries were arrested, the case began at Roshan-ud-daula Kachehri in December where Syyed Amin-ud-din was assigned as the special magistrate. 'Lucknow ki Chaya Mein,' a book by Ramkrishna Khatri, gives an account of the trial. 'A large number of people turned up outside the court and once our handcuffs were opened, one could not make out a difference between those accused and the public. Sighting the situation, police sought permission (for the freedom fighters) to be brought with bedis (cuffs with chains around the neck). However, we refused to wear the bedis, police forced us to wear them. They had two lorries and each lorry had five to six individuals at a time. While forcefully tying bedis, one amongst us, Vishnu Sharan Dubish got hurt in the leg on which we raised slogans - 'Bharat Mata ki Jai', 'Bhartiya Prajatantra ki Jai' and 'Vande Matram while reaching the kachahari,' the book reads. Another passage in the book mentions Basant Panchmi day in 1926 when revolutionaries tied saffron handkerchiefs and sang 'Rang de Basanti Chola' on their way. The next day, several people with saffron caps turned up from Kanyakubja College (now Jai Narain PG College) to the court and all sang 'Rang de Basanti Chola'. After a six-month trial at the Roshan-ud-daula Kachehri, the court shifted to a special sessions court with Hamilton as the special judge at the Rink Theatre (where the General Post Office stands today). The trial continued there for 10 to 11 months. Historian Ravi Bhatt said when the revolutionaries were in prison, some jailers and employees brought their family members to see them as a mark of respect. A letter by Sachindra Nath Bakshi to the Home Member of Government of United Province, mentions some demands made by them. It included at least 12 annas' diet as per their preference, one standard daily newspaper, dress, bedsheets and cots along with soaps, toothpaste, toothbrushes, indoor games. When freedom fighters assembled for action The Kakori Shaheed Smarak stands tall at Bajnagar village. Clad in dhoti-kurta, Munnilal Rajput (75), the caretaker with a wooden stick, recounts an eyewitness account he heard from his grandmother. 'My grandparents were devotees at a temple situated on the Shaheed Smarak compound. My grandmother told me that she was performing puja on August 8, 1925 (the day before the Kakori Train Action) when a group of young men entered the premises and began planning something. After some time, they left for the station but they failed to board the train. However, they turned up again at the same time and, barring a few others, went to the station again and the rest is history,' Rajput said. He said that he considers the freedom fighters as revered as the deities in the temple. 'I spend my entire day at the Smarak, cleaning the statues and helping the visitors to the place,' he added. The room of freedom fighter Ramkrishna Khatri has paintings of many freedom fighters. Khatri's grandson Rohit Khatri said that his grandfather got them painted when he was alive and the family has maintained the legacy.
Time of India
08-08-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
100 years on, Kakori heroes inspire Gen Z
By- Varun Bhatt & Shivendra Vikram Singh As the Kakori Train Action marks its centenary this year, a compelling question arises: how well does Gen Z recall one of the key moments in India's freedom struggle? In an age defined by reels, memes, and fleeting digital trends, is there still room in young minds for narratives of sacrifice, unity, and resistance? Interestingly, many students are beginning to rediscover forgotten history reclaiming the legacy of revolutionaries whose voices once echoed across the country. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Chinmay, a second-year student of MA (journalism) views Kakori Action not merely as an act of rebellion, but as a significant moment in India's struggle for independence. 'It was planned by the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA), and the idea was to take money from the British govt to support the freedom movement, without hurting ordinary people. Revolutionaries like Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqullah Khan, and later Bhagat Singh, were deeply involved. It was not just about Rs 4,600 they looted. It was a strong message against British rule,' he says. Karan Singh Yadava, who is pursuing PhD in English, describes Kakori Action as a turning point in India's struggle for independence. 'It marked a decisive step towards freedom. The execution of Ram Prasad Bismil and three other revolutionaries ignited the feeling of patriotism among the people with greater intensity and gave a new direction to the movement,' he says. 'Recently, I watched the play 'A se Aazadi', which showed how the Kakori Action ignited resistance among the youth during the freedom struggle. What stood out the most was the unity among Hindus and Muslims who fought side by side against the common enemy,' says Tarun Agarwal, a BCA student at Lucknow University. 'That kind of communal harmony is the real spirit of secularism. Today, we need to draw inspiration and come together to fight against corruption in society,' he adds. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'Kakori Action was a powerful symbol of collective effort, it showed how people from all communities came together for a common cause. That unity brought a wave of change in society and inspired countless others to join the freedom movement. It's a reminder that real progress begins when we rise above our differences and stand united,' says Sufi Siddharth, a student of political science at Delhi University. For Gen Z, remembering Kakori is not just about history, but about learning values that can help build a fair and united country. Today, young people may learn about it in many ways through books, plays or online. But the lesson remains the same: standing strong and united can bring change.
Time of India
08-08-2025
- General
- Time of India
100 years of Kakori Train Action: A daring heist that triggered revolution, communal amity
A century ago, a small group of bravehearts executed the Kakori Train Action, that gave a big push to the freedom struggle and etched their names in the history forever. TOI relives their saga and heroics A hundred years ago, on Aug 9, 1925, a group of 10 young revolutionaries executed a daring plan that would echo through India's freedom struggle, and beyond. The Kakori Train Action, a meticulously planned heist of a British railway treasury, was more than a robbery — it was a bold statement against colonial oppression and a testament to the unbreakable bond of HinduMuslim unity. Led by Pt Ram Prasad Bismil and his trusted comrade Ashfaqullah Khan, the Kakori Action not only challenged the British Raj but also inspired a generation to unite for freedom. As we commemorate its centenary, the story of Kakori remains a powerful symbol of courage, camaraderie, and the revolutionary spirit that fuelled India's struggle for freedom. The plan takes shape in Lucknow In the first week of Aug 1925, 10 young men checked into Chhedilal Dharamshala in Aminabad, Lucknow, their minds buzzing with a revolutionary plot. The group, part of the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA), included Chandrashekhar Azad, Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqullah Khan, Rajendranath Lahiri, Mukundilal, Murarilal, Kundanlal, Banwarilal, Bakshi, and Manmathnath Gupta. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like They Were So Beautiful Before; Now Look At Them; Number 10 Will Shock You Reportingly Undo Their target: the 8 Down Saharanpur-Lucknow Passenger Train, which carried a treasury safe filled with railway collections — a symbol of British economic exploitation. On Aug 8, they conducted a final reconnaissance at Charbagh railway station, only to face a setback. As they reached Kakori station on foot, the train sped past, leaving them stunned. 'A train in India could not be so regular,' one remarked in disbelief. They had missed it by 10 minutes. The misstep exposed their inexperience with such high-stakes operations. Bismil recognized the need for better synchronization. The team retreated to their base, recalibrated, and resolved to execute the plan the next day. On Aug 9, the revolutionaries took no chances and boarded the train at a previous station, splitting into two groups. Ashfaqullah Khan, Rajendranath Lahiri, and Bakshi secured second-class tickets, while Bismil, Azad, and the others spread out in third-class compartments. As the train approached Kakori, those in second class pulled the emergency chain, bringing the train to a halt. Chaos ensued, but the group was prepared. Wielding German Mauser pistols, they leapt into action. One member rushed to the engine to secure the driver, while another subdued the guard, forcing him to lie face-down. The group's primary target was the heavy iron safe in the guard's van, containing cash collections from stations along the route. Using a hammer and chisel, they began breaking it open, while others reassured passengers in Hindustani: 'We are after govt property, not your lives. Stay inside and do not look out. ' Sporadic gunfire punctuated the air, ensuring compliance. The operation hit a snag when the safe resisted their tools. Ashfaqullah, a towering figure with unwavering resolve, handed his Mauser to young Manmathnath Gupta and took up the hammer himself, striking with full force. The distant rumble of another train — possibly the Punjab Mail — sent a chill through the group. Fearing a military response or betrayal, they braced for the worst. Bismil instructed them to conceal their weapons and lie low. The train passed without incident, and Ashfaq resumed his work, finally breaching the safe. The revolutionaries collected the cash in bags, bundled them in a bedsheet, and prepared to retreat. To mislead passengers, including British military officers on board, the group fled in a direction suggesting they were escaping away from Lucknow. Instead, they doubled back, entering the city through the bustling Chowk market. The cash and bonds were hidden in a safehouse known only to Bismil, while the weapons were stashed in prearranged locations. The group dispersed, some retreating to hideouts, others blending into public spaces like parks. By dawn, newspaper hawkers in Lucknow shouted headlines of the 'Sensational Train Hold-Up at Kakori,' confirming the audacity and success of their mission. A symbol of Hindu-Muslim unity At the heart of the Kakori Train Action was the profound bond between Ram Prasad Bismil, an ardent Arya Samaj follower, and Ashfaqullah Khan, a devout Muslim. Their friendship and shared commitment to India's freedom became a beacon of Hindu-Muslim unity, challenging colonial efforts to sow discord. Renowned historian and former head of Modern and Medieval History Department in University of Lucknow, Professor Aroop Chakraborty notes, 'The Kakori Action sent ripples of unity across the nation. It showed that Hindus and Muslims could work as one for a common cause, directly countering the British narrative. In fact, the action also paved the way for the spirit of revolution across the country against the British Raj. ' In a poignant letter written days before his execution, Bismil urged Indians to embrace this unity. He cited Ashfaqullah as proof that Muslims were as committed to the nation's freedom as anyone else. 'If a staunch Muslim like Ashfaqullah can be my right hand, why can't Hindus and Muslims unite for India's freedom?' he wrote. Bismil's words were echoed by Shaheede-Azam Bhagat Singh, who, under the pseudonym 'Vidrohi', wrote in the journal 'Kirti' in Jan 1928: 'Bismil's last request was for HinduMuslim unity. He and Ashfaqullah agreed that this was their greatest wish and the true memorial to their sacrifice.' The British, aware of the symbolic power of this alliance, tried to break it. They offered Bismil exile with an allowance and told Ashfaqullah that the HRA was a Hindu organization with no place for Muslims. Both rejected these divisive tactics, remaining steadfast in their shared vision. The revolutionary legacy The Kakori Action had far-reaching consequences, reshaping India's freedom struggle. The HRA, initially focused on establishing a federated republic through armed revolution, used the loot — about Rs 4,600 in cash and bonds — to settle debts, procure weapons, and relocate members to safer regions. This financial boost fortified the organization, enabling it to evolve into the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) in 1928 under Chandrashekhar Azad's leadership. HSRA shifted its focus to economic self-reliance and mass mobilization. Bhagat Singh emphasized aligning with workers and peasants. Historian Sumit Sarkar notes that this period saw a 'massive labour upsurge,' particularly in railways and textiles, which the HSRA sought to harness. The organization's new objectives inspired socialist leaders within the Congress, influencing its trajectory into the post-independence era. The Kakori Action also forced the Congress to rethink its strategy. Bismil, a former Congress member who had worked with leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak, had long advocated for a broader, more inclusive movement. The heist's audacity prompted the Congress to define 'Swaraj' as 'Poorna Swaraj' (complete independence) at its 1929 Lahore Convention. The martyrs' sacrifice The British response to Kakori was swift and brutal. By 1927, Bismil, Ashfaqullah, Lahiri, and Roshan Singh were sentenced to death, while others faced imprisonment or transportation. Their trials exposed the colonial govt's fear of the revolutionary movement's growing influence. Yet, the martyrs' sacrifice galvanized the youth, who saw in their bravery a call to action. Bismil and Ashfaqullah's bond transcended religious divides, offering a model of solidarity that remains relevant today. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and s ilver prices in your area.
