Why this matters now
Azad is tested for the Hindustan Republican Association, the Kakori conspiracy, the founding of the HSRA with Bhagat Singh, and his death at Alfred Park.
Early life and the HRA
As a 15-year-old joining the Non-Cooperation Movement he was caught and caned in a court — when the magistrate asked his name he replied “Azad” (free), his father “Swatantrata” and address “jail” — earning the name for life. He joined the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) founded by Ram Prasad Bismil and Sachindranath Sanyal.
Kakori conspiracy and the HSRA
Azad took part in the Kakori Train Robbery (9 Aug 1925) to fund the revolutionary movement — only he escaped the colonial dragnet that hanged Bismil, Ashfaqulla Khan, Roshan Singh and Rajendra Lahiri. He reorganised the survivors into the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) at Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi (8-9 Sept 1928) — explicitly socialist, with Bhagat Singh and others. He helped plan the Saunders killing (Lahore, 1928) and the Assembly bomb (1929).
Alfred Park (27 February 1931)
While meeting fellow revolutionaries at Alfred Park (now Chandrashekhar Azad Park), Allahabad, Azad was surrounded by colonial police. He vowed “Dushman ki goliyon ka hum samna karenge, azad hi rahe hain, azad hi rahenge” (I will never be captured alive) — and after a long shoot-out, used his last bullet on himself on 27 February 1931. He kept his vow of dying free.
UPSC angle
Know Azad — born Chandrashekhar Tiwari, “Azad” given as a teenager at court, joined HRA (Bismil/Sanyal), Kakori train robbery (9 Aug 1925), founded HSRA at Feroz Shah Kotla (8-9 Sept 1928) with Bhagat Singh — explicitly socialist, planned Saunders killing (1928) and Assembly bomb (1929), shot himself with the last bullet at Alfred Park (Allahabad, 27 Feb 1931).
Frequently asked questions
How did Chandrashekhar Tiwari get the name “Azad”?
When caught as a 15-year-old in the Non-Cooperation Movement he told the magistrate his name was “Azad”, father “Swatantrata”, address “jail”.
What was the Kakori conspiracy?
A 1925 robbery of a train carrying government cash near Kakori (UP) by HRA revolutionaries to fund the movement.
What is the HSRA?
The Hindustan Socialist Republican Association — reorganised by Azad with Bhagat Singh at Feroz Shah Kotla (Delhi) in 1928.
How did Chandrashekhar Azad die?
He shot himself with his last bullet at Alfred Park, Allahabad, on 27 February 1931 to keep his vow of dying free.