Author : Satyam Mishra
A fearless revolutionary, the symbol of suppressed outrage, silent endurance, and long-nurtured vengeance who solely shook the foundations of the British Empire – SHAHEED-I-AZAM UDHAM SINGH – a name etched in history by sacrificial blood, is remembered on the 31st of July every year on his death anniversary.
CHILDHOOD – A PERIOD OF PERSONAL LOSS AND PAIN
Born on 26 December 1899 as ‘Sher Singh’ to Tehal Singh and Narain Kaur in Sunam, Punjab, Udham Singh had a tragic early life. He lost his mother at the age of 3, and his father died in October 1907. While walking to Amritsar with both his sons, Tehal Singh passed away, leaving Udham orphaned at the age of 8. Both brothers, Sher (Udham) and Sadhu (Mukta), were admitted to an orphanage. In 1917, his brother Sadhu died of illness, leaving Udham completely alone.
Udham grew up witnessing the cruel realities of British colonial rule – poverty, oppression, and systemic injustice. But it was the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre of 1919 that transformed his silent suffering into revolutionary zeal. He was present at Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar, on 13th April 1919, the darkest day in colonial history, when General Dyer ordered troops to open fire on a peaceful gathering, killing over a thousand unarmed Indians on the auspicious day of the Baisakhi fair.
THE ASSASSINATION THAT SHOOK THE EMPIRE
On 13 March 1940, Udham Singh shot Michael O’Dwyer dead, the former Lieutenant Governor of Punjab, at Caxton Hall in London, where O’Dwyer was scheduled to speak. O’Dwyer had defended General Dyer’s actions and symbolized the British regime’s unapologetic cruelty. Udham Singh believed that killing him would send a strong message against imperialist oppression. After the assassination, Singh did not attempt to escape and was arrested immediately.
At his trial, Singh boldly declared:
“I did it because I had a grudge against him. He deserved it. He was the real culprit. He wanted to crush the spirit of my people, so I have crushed him. For full 21 years, I have been trying to seek vengeance. I am happy that I have done the job. I am not scared of death. I am dying for my country. I have seen my people starving in India under the British rule. I have protested against this – it was my duty.”
Despite knowing the inevitable consequences, Singh showed no remorse. His defiance in the British court became a source of inspiration for countless Indians back home.
On 31 July 1940, Udham Singh was executed at Pentonville Prison in London. He died a martyr, leaving behind a legacy of courage and resistance.
LEGACY AND RECOGNITION
Though the British labelled him a terrorist, Indians regarded him as a hero. The remains of Singh were exhumed and repatriated to India in 1974 at the request of MLA Sadhu Singh Thind, and cremated in Sunam, along with six other places including Jallianwala Bagh. Memorials, institutions, roads, and even films have since been named after him, keeping his sacrifice alive in public memory.Udham Singh did not just seek revenge – he sought justice. His act was not of hatred, but of resistance against colonial cruelty. He showed the world that even the silenced voices of colonial subjects could rise in rebellion, decades after the blood had dried.
On 31st July, let us all honour the legacy and sacrifice of Shaheed Udham Singh, not just by remembering his bravery, but by upholding the ideals he stood for – freedom, justice, and fearlessness.
In an age where struggles are many and battles continue in different forms, his life remains a timeless inspiration.
