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Home , Ram Prasad Bismil

11. RAM PRASAD 'BISMIL' - THE GREAT MARTYR

"SAR FAROSHI KI TAMANNA AB HAMARE DIL MEIN HAI,

DEKHNA HAI ZOR KITNA BAZUE QATIL MEIN HAI."

The murderous hands of the ruthless foreign rulers cannot extinguish my burning desire to make the supreme sacrifice (for freeing my country).

Note: This is not a literal translation but only the essence of the above couplet.

Ram Prasad 'Bismil was one of the great Indian freedom fighters who also participated in the train incident1. He was also a great poet and had written several inspiring verses. He was prosecuted by the British Government in . Ram Prasad 'Bismil' joined the band2 of martyrs3 who dreamt of a free India and made the supreme sacrifice. "Bismil', along with stalwarts like Ashfaqullah Khan, , Bhagwati Charan, Raj Guru and others organised several upheavals against the British; they printed literature, provided shelter to revolutionaries, made hand bombs and were a constant source of worry to the British Government. They are most remembered for the Kakori train incident and the bombing of the Punjab assembly.

"Bismil' is the pen-name4 of Ram Prasad. As 'Bismil' he is well-known as a great revolutionary poet in . At the end of his autobiography, he has reproduced some selected poems. Every line of his poems throbs5 with patriotic6 fervour7. In one poem, he prays, "Even if I have to face death a thousand times for the sake of my Motherland, it shall not sadden me. Oh Lord! Grant me a hundred births in Bharat. But grant me this, too, that each time I may give up my life in the service of the Motherland."

In a poem written just before going to the gallows1, he prays, "Oh Lord! Your will be done. You are unique. Neither my tears nor I will endure. Grant me this boon, that to my last breath and the last drop of my blood, I may think of you and be immersed in your work." Ram Prasad 'Bismil' was a brave revolutionary, who gave up his life smilingly for the sake of the Motherland. He was persecuted by an enraged foreign government, hunted by the police and betrayed by some fellow workers. He was the brave leader of the Kakori train incident. His poetry is also a lamp lighted at the altar of the Motherland. Kakori is a village near . It became famous, because the attack on the train took place near Lucknow.

It was the evening of the 9th of August 1925; the number eight down train was passing near Kakori. Ram Prasad and his nine revolutionary followers pulled the chain and stopped it. They took under their control the money belonging to the government, deposited in the guard's carriage. Excepting that one passenger was killed by an accidental shot, there was no bloodshed. This extremely well-planned incident jolted the government. After a month of detailed preliminary inquiries and elaborate preparations, the government cast its net wide for the revolutionaries. Arrest warrants were issued not only against the ten participants but also against other leaders of the Hindustan Republican Association. With the lone exception of Chandra Shekhar Azad, all participants were caught. The case went on for over a year and a half. Ram Prasad, Ashfaqullah, and , all four were sentenced to death. A strong campaign was organised throughout India to save the lives of these revolutionary heroes. Many of the leaders appealed to the British Government to show mercy to the condemned men. But the government was unyielding.

It was the 18th of . A middle-aged lady was waiting at the main gate of the Gorukhpur Central Jail. She was eagerly waiting to be called into the prison. By that time, her husband also arrived there. He was surprised that his wife was already there before him. He also sat down to wait for the call. A young man came there. He was not related to them. He knew that the couple would be permitted to enter the prison. But how should he manage to enter the prison? This was his problem. The officials of the prison called in the husband and the wife. The young man followed them. The guard stopped him and rudely asked, "Who are you?" "Permit him also, brother. He is my sister's son." the lady said in an entreating voice. The guard relented. All the three entered the prison to visit a freedom fighter who was to face his death on the morrow1. The freedom fighter was brought there in chains. They were like ornaments on him. This was the last time that he could see his mother, the last time he could address her as 'mother'. At this thought grief welled2 up in him. He stood speechless and tears rolled down his cheeks. In a firm voice the mother said, "What is this, my son? I had thought of my son as a great hero. I was thinking that the British Government would shiver at the very mention of his name. I never thought that my son would be afraid of death. If you can die only in this way, weeping, why did you take up such activities?"

The officials were astounded3 at the firmness of the mother. The freedom fighter replied, "Mother, dear, these are not tears of fear - the fear of death. These are tears of joy -joy at beholding so brave a mother!"

The brave son of that brave mother was Ram Prasad Bismil'. He was the leader of the famous Kakori train incident. The last meeting ended. Next morning Ram Prasad got up earlier than usual, bathed and said his morning prayers. He wrote his last letter to his mother. Then he sat down with a calm mind awaiting his death.

The officials came and removed his chains. They took him from the prison - cell towards his death. He was completely untroubled and walked like a hero. The officials were amazed. As he moved to the gallows, he joyfully chanted 'Vande Matram' and 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai'. At the top of his voice, he shouted, "Down with the ". Then he calmly recited prayers and embraced death.

As he was being executed, there was a strong guard around the prison. When he was dead, the officials brought out the dead body. Not only his parents but also hundreds of his countrymen were waiting outside in tears. The people of decorated the body of the brave son of Bharat as befitted a hero and carried it in a procession. Flowers were showered on the body and the last rites were performed.

I. Glossary incident (n) - something that happens, especially something unusual or unpleasant (to the foreign rulers of India, the Kakori train incident was an act of robbery or dacoity. But for Indians, it was a most courageous act of the revolutionaries in their struggle for India's independence.) band (n) - a group of people having the same ideology martyr (r)/(n) - one who suffers very much or is killed for his political or religious belief. pen-name (n) - a name used by writers instead of a real one throb (v) - to beat or sound with a strong, regular rhythm patriotic (adj) - having or expressing a great love for your country fervour (r) - very strong feeling about something gallows (n) - a structure on which people or criminals are killed by hanging persecute (v) - to treat somebody in a cruel and unfair way altar (r)/(n) - a special table where religious ceremonies are performed morrow (n) - the next day well (v) - start to flow astound (v) - to surprise or shock somebody very much. procession (n) - a line of people or vehicles that move along slowly, especially as part of a ceremony verses (n) - a group of lines forming a unit in a poem or hymn; a numbered division of a Bible chapter. prosecuted (v) – take legal proceedings against someone for a crime. supreme (adj) – highest in authority. stalwart (adj) – loyal and hard-working; a stalwart person. upheavals (n) – a sudden violent change or movement. immersed (v) – put completely into liquid or involved deeply in an activity. preliminary (adj) – preceding a main action or event. accidental (adj) – an unplanned event causing damage or injury. elaborate (adj) – develop in detail or add detail to. warrants (n) – a document giving legal authorization for an action. exception (n) – something that does not follow a general rule. appealed (v) – to make an earnest or formal request.

Entreating (adj) – requesting earnestly or emotionally. relented (adj) – become less intense. astounded (adj) – amazing firmness (n) – not yielding when pressed or crushed embraced (v) – hold someone tightly in your arms. executed (v) – carry out in order or produce or perform a work. befitted (v) – be proper for.

II. Word Power

A. Rearrange the jumbled letters into meaningful words and write the words in alphabetical order (Answers are given directly)

1. nylo – only 2. renve – nerve

3. Vocie – voice 4. ollgasw – gallows

5. talra - altar

B. Supply the synonyms for the words given below (take the help of a good dictionary) (Answers are given directly)

1. anxiety - worry 2. call - send for

3. brave - fearful 4. motherland – native land

5. grief - sorrow

C. Match the words in column 'A' with the meanings in column 'B'

A B 1. Verses a. someone who comes from another country 2. upheaval b. an institution where people are kept as a punishment for committing crimes 3. endure c. sentences forming a section of a poem 4. foreigner d. to suffer something unpleasant 5. prison e. sudden or violent change affecting people's lives

Ans.

A B 1. Verses c. sentences forming a section of a poem 2. upheaval e. sudden or violent change affecting people's lives 3. endure d. to suffer something unpleasant 4. foreigner a. someone who comes from another country 5. prison b. an institution where people are kept as a punishment for committing crimes

III. Language Study

Observe the following sentences carefully

1. Ram Prasad Bismil' was one of the great Indian freedom fighters, who also participated in the Kakori train incident.

2. "Bismil' joined the band of martyrs who dreamt of free India.

3. 'Bismil' was a brave revolutionary who gave up his life smilingly.

In the above sentences the underlined parts of the sentences are relative clauses. A relative clause tells us which person or thing the speaker means.

We use 'who' in a relative clause when we are talking about people (not things), and when we are talking about things, we use 'which' (not 'who'). Now look at the following pairs of sentences:

(1) (a) 'Bismil' was a brave young man.

(b) He sacrificed his life for the sake of India's freedom.

(2) (a) I read a book.

(b) It is very interesting.

We can combine the above pairs of sentences as

1. “Bismil was a brave young man, who sacrificed his life for the sake of India's freedom.

2. I read a book, which is very interesting.

Now we combine the following pairs of sentences using relative pronouns 'who' for subjective case, 'whom' for objective case and 'whose' for possessive case for people and 'which' for things. As

(1) (a) Have you met that boy?

(b) The boy lives next door to me.

Have you met the boy who lives next door to me?

2. (a) Father called the boy.

(b) He wanted to send him to market.

Father called the boy whom he wanted to send to market.

3. (a) I have lost the pen.

(b) You gave it to me last year.

I have lost the pen which you gave me last year.

4. (a) I like the students.

(b) Their work is neat and tidy.

I like the students whose work is neat and tidy. Now combine the following pairs of sentences as illustrated above :

1 (a) My sister is wearing a new frock.

(b) The frock is pink.

Ans. My sister is wearing a new frock which is pink.

2. (a) She is my teacher.

(b) She teaches English.

Ans. She is my teacher who teaches me English.

3. (a) I never touch these things.

(b) The things are prohibited.

Ans. I never touch things which are prohibited.

4. (a) l am looking for Sharda.

(b) Her book is with me.

Ans. I am looking for Sharda whose book is with me.

IV. Listening Skills

Here is a conversation between a girl Shreya and her teacher. Talk in pairs. One student will play the role of the teacher and the other one of the student.

Teacher : Shreya, what are you keeping in your bag?

Shreya : Sir, it's a book on the freedom struggle of India.

Teacher : Where did you get it from? Shreya : I borrowed it from the school library.

Teacher : How long have you been keeping it with you?

Shreya : Sir, only for two days.

Teacher : Have you gone through it?

Shreya : Not yet.

Teacher : Why?

Shreya : Because I had lent it to my cousin.

Teacher : I also want to read it.

Shreya : Sir, I'll give it to you tomorrow.

V. Speaking Skills

A. Read aloud with correct pronunciation each pair of words twice. In each pair the vowel sound of the first word is short and the second long

Live - leave hill - heel lip - leap

This - these bit - beat bid - bead

Sick - seek

B. Now read these pairs of sentences aloud:

1. Will you fill it, please?

Will you feel it, please?

2. We're going to live here.

We're going to leave this place.

3. Can you see the ship? Can you see the sheep?

4. That's a high hill.

That's a high heel.

5. Would you like to have this?

Would you like to have these?

C. These sentences contain examples of both sounds. Read aloud each sentence twice:

1. If you eat that piece of meat you'll feel sick.

2. On the peak the leaves are green in winter.

3. Don't drink from the cup: the cup is chipped.

4. The ship sprang a leak as it was leaving harbour.

5. I don't think we'll have a picnic this week.

VI. Writing Skills

Write a composition on any one of the freedom fighters you admire the most with the help of the following clues name, date and place of birth, early childhood, activities, achievements etc.

VII. Comprehension

A. Answer the following questions

1. Ram Prasad 'Bismil' was a great patriot. Do you find any other quality in him? Describe. Ans. Ramprasad Bismil wrote poems in Hindu and . He had a close association with . He wrote his auto biography and devoted a huge segment to discuss the friendship he had with Ashfaqullah. He was an eloquent writer and The Bolshevik Programme, A Sally of Mind, Swadeshi Rang and Catherine are his literary works.

2. “Bismil' joined the band of martyrs. What do you understand by the phrase "the band of martyrs'?"

Ans. Ramprasad joined the select band of martrys who dreamt of a free India and made the supreme sacrifice so that the dream came true.

3. "Bismil' along with other stalwarts helped revolutionaries in many other ways. Do you agree with the statement? Explain in brief.

Ans. ‘Bismil’ was a great Indian freedom fighters. He had participated in the Kakori train incident. He was a great poet whose poems had patrotic fervour. He was prosecuted by British government, he joined the ‘band of martyrs who dreamt of free India and made the supreme sacrifice to free India. He organized several revolts against the British. Literatures were printed and shetter was also provided to revolutionaries. In this way Bismil helped all freedom fighters in many ways.

4. What incidents made 'Bismil and his followers immortal figures of India? Give some references from the text.

Ans. Bismil and his followers were immortal figures of India because of the Kakori railway train incident. On 1925 9th August the train was pulled by Ramprasad and his nine revolutionaries. They took the British government treasury and deposited it in the guard’s carriage. There was no bloodshed and only one passenger was killed by an accidental shot. Inquiries and arrest warrants were issued. A strong campaign was organised throughout India to save lives of these revolutionary heroes. But no mercy was shown, all participants were caught and four of them were given death sentence. This incident made ‘Bismil’ and his followers immortal figures of India.

5. Every line of Bismil's poems throbs with poetic fervour. How far do you agree with the remark? Explain in brief.

Ans. Every line of Bismil’s poems throbs with poetic fervour. It in one poem he prays that when he faces death it should be those and times for Motherland. And it should not make him sad. He asked the Lord to grant him hundred births in Bharat and to give up his life for the service of his Motherland. When he went to the gallows he prayed in his poem to Lord that what is Lord’s wish should be fulfilled because he is unique. He also prayed to the Lord to grant him a bone, that till his last breath and last drop of his blood, he would only think of the Lord and be immersed in His work.

6. What was Bismil's contribution in the 'Kakori train incident?

Ans. Ram Prasad Bismil was a brave leader of the Kakori train incident. In 9th August 1925 he along with his nine revolutionary followers pulled the chain and stopped the train. The train had British treasury. They got it and deposited in the guard’s carriage. One passenger died by an accidental shot. There was no blood shed. This was Bismil’s contribution in the Kakori train incident.

7. How did the Kakori incident affect the British in India?

Ans. A strong campaign was organised throughout India to save the lives of the revolutionary heroes. Many of the leaders appealed to the British Government to show mercy to the condemned men. In this way after the Kakori incident Indians supported the revolutionaries and which affected the British.

8. Describe the qualities of Bismil's mother that astounded the officials of the prison.

Ans. Bismil’s mother was a brave women. When he saw his mother the last time he could address her as ‘mother’. He was grieved, speechless and tears rolled down his cheeks. His mother rebuked him and told that she thought her son was a hero and that the British government would shiver when his name would be mentioned. She said she never thought he would be afraid of death and why had he taken activities of fighting for Motherland if he had to weep before dying. These words astounded the officials of the prison.

Extra Questions

1. Who were the stalwarts?

Ans. Ashfaqullah Khan, Chandrashekar Azad, Bhagwad Charan, Raj Guru and others were the Stalwarts.

2. What is the pen name of Ram Prasad?

Ans. ‘Bismil’ is the pen name of Ram Prasad.

3. What was Bismil known for?

Ans. Bismil was known for his great revolutionary poems in Hindi.

4. What is his poetry also called?

Ans. His poetry is also called lamp lighted at the altar.

B. Who said these words to whom (Students to attempt on their own)

1. "Even if I have to face death a thousands times for the sake of my motherland, it shall not sadden me."

2. "Who are you?"

3. "Permit him also, brother."

4. "Why did you take up such activities?"

5. "These are not tears of fear - the fear of death."

VIII. Do It Yourself

Collect different types of pictures showing freedom fighters. Discuss in your class about their contribution in achieving freedom and write a paragraph about 5 freedom fighters.