Bhagat Singh

by Christopher Pinney

Published 1 December 2010

Bhagat Singh, often referred to with the prefix Shaheed ('Martyr') is considered to be one of the most famous revolutionaries of the Indian independence movement. One of the leaders and founders of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA), he is also believed by many to be one of the earliest Marxists in India and has been labeled so by the Communist Party of India (Marxist). Singh emerged as an icon for masses in demanding equal rights for Indian and British political prisoners. He was hanged for shooting a police officer in response to the killing of veteran social activist Lala Lajpat Rai.