Lala Lajpat Rai was one of the activist freedom fighters of India. His greatest contribution was to make India independent from the Britishers. His fierce patriotism for his country and courageous vocalism against the Britishers earned him the title ‘Punjab Kesari’ or ‘Lion of Punjab’.

He spent his whole life serving the nation. He was one of the strongest protestors of the partition of India. His death anniversary is celebrated as Martyr's Day in India on 17th November.

Important Facts about Lala Lajpat Rai

• He was born on 28 January 1865 in Moga district, Punjab to a middle-class Hindu family.
• His father was Munshi Radha Krishna Azad and his mother was Gulab Devi.
• He studied law and he was a lawyer by profession.
• He was married to Radha Devi in 1877. He had three children named Pyarelal, Amrit Rai, Parvati.
• He was also called ‘Frontier Gandhi’, ‘Punjab Kesari’, ‘Lion of Punjab’.
• He was a social reformist and was influenced by Swami Dayanand Saraswati and joined Arya Samaj in Lahore, Pakistan.
• He was a follower of Indian culture and tradition. He wished to make India a secular state.
• He joined extremist leaders namely Bipin Chandra Pal, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, that was known by the name of the Lal-Bal-Pal trio of the extremist leaders.
• He was a follower of Hindu culture and worked to propagate it among people. He was also involved in Hindu Mahasabha.
• He decided to remove caste and religious discrimination among people. He also fought against untouchability.

Contributions of Lala Lajpat Rai

• He officially joined the Indian National Congress Party and participated in many political agitations in Punjab.
• For his political agitation, he was deported to Burma in 1907 without a trial but he returned after a few weeks because they had no legal evidence against him.
• He strongly opposed the proposal of the Partition of Bengal proposed by Lord Curzon.
• To get global support for the Indian freedom movement he found the Home Rule League of America in New York City.
• He was the idealistic leader and was elected as President of the All India Trade Union Congress.
• He was the follower of Mahatma Gandhi and supported the Non - Cooperation movement led by Gandhi Ji at the Nagpur session of the Indian National Congress in 1920.
• He protested against the Rowlatt Act and the JallianWala Bagh Massacre.
• He also worked as a journalist and editor. He was the editor of Arya Gazette founded by him.

• The Servants of People Society was founded by him in 1921.
• He was associated with Punjab National Bank in 1921.
• He was elected as deputy leader of the Central Legislative Assembly in 1926.
• In 1927 he established a trust in the memory of his mother which runs a tuberculosis hospital for women. The hospital was constructed where his mother died due to tuberculosis disease.
• In 1928 Simon Commission was formed by the British Government to observe all the political activities in the country. It a Commission of seven members of Parliament under the chairmanship of Sir John Simon. In this Commission, no Indian was included.

Lala Lajpat Rai opposed this Commission at the time of its formation but the British government did not give any attention to him. He led a silent protest against the Simon Commission in Lahore, Pakistan. A large number of people joined his movement.

The Superintendent of Police ordered Lathi charge to all the protestors mainly the leader Lala Lajpat Rai. He got severely injured in a brutal Lathi charge. He did not recover and died after a few weeks.

After the death of Lala Lajpat Rai, Bhagat Singh and other revolutionaries decided to take revenge and plotted to kill Scott but they accidentally killed John Saunders, an Assistant Superintendent of Police due to the wrong identity.

His contribution to the country is remarkable. He served only for the welfare of the nation. In the memory of Lala Lajpat Rai, his statue was constructed in Lahore which was moved to Shimla after the partition of India.

Some of the educational institutions are named in the memory of him such as Lala Lajpat Rai Institute Of Engineering and Technology, Moga. The government of Haryana has also set up the Lala Lajpat Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences in Hisar.

FAQs

Question: Who was Lala Lajpat Rai?

Question: What were Lala Lajpat Rai’s contributions to the Indian freedom struggle?

Question: Why is Lala Lajpat Rai called the ‘Punjab Kesari’?

Question: How did Lala Lajpat Rai die?

Question: What were Lala Lajpat Rai’s contributions to social reforms?

MCQs

1. Which movement was Lala Lajpat Rai associated with?

A) Civil Disobedience Movement

B) Swadeshi Movement

C) Quit India Movement

D) Home Rule League

2. Which British commission did Lala Lajpat Rai protest against?

A) Cripps Mission

B) Simon Commission

C) Hunter Commission

D) Cabinet Mission

3. What title is associated with Lala Lajpat Rai?

A) Lokmanya

B) Punjab Kesari

C) Deshbandhu

D) Netaji

4. Which organization did Lala Lajpat Rai support to promote social reforms?

A) Arya Samaj

B) Brahmo Samaj

C) Indian National Congress

D) Theosophical Society

5. In which year did Lala Lajpat Rai die?

A) 1925

B) 1928

C) 1931

D) 1942

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the role of Lala Lajpat Rai in India’s freedom struggle.

Answer: Lala Lajpat Rai was a prominent leader in India’s freedom struggle, earning the title ‘Punjab Kesari’ for his patriotic zeal. As part of the Lal-Bal-Pal trio, he advocated Swadeshi and self-reliance, inspiring Indians to boycott British goods and embrace indigenous products. He actively participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement and played a crucial role in mobilizing public opinion against British rule. Rai’s leadership in the protests against the Simon Commission in 1928 demonstrated his commitment to India’s sovereignty. Despite facing brutal repression, he remained steadfast in his pursuit of independence. Additionally, he worked for social reforms, promoting education, women’s rights, and eradicating untouchability. His martyrdom during the Simon Commission protests immortalized his dedication to the nation’s cause, making him a revered figure in Indian history.

Q2: Analyze Lala Lajpat Rai’s contributions to social and educational reforms in India.

Answer: Lala Lajpat Rai significantly contributed to social and educational reforms in India. As a staunch advocate of Arya Samaj principles, he worked to eradicate social evils like untouchability and caste discrimination. He emphasized women’s education and empowerment, believing that societal progress required gender equality. Rai was instrumental in establishing educational institutions, including the Punjab National College and DAV Schools, which promoted value-based education aligned with Indian traditions. He also campaigned for the spread of Swadeshi ideas, encouraging self-reliance and industrial development to uplift the nation’s socio-economic status. Through his writings and activism, Rai raised awareness about the need for social reform, inspiring a generation to strive for a just and equitable society. His legacy as a reformer remains an integral part of India’s social history.

Q3: What was the significance of Lala Lajpat Rai’s protest against the Simon Commission?

Answer: Lala Lajpat Rai’s protest against the Simon Commission in 1928 was a pivotal moment in India’s freedom struggle. The commission, composed solely of British members, was perceived as an insult to Indian self-governance aspirations. Rai led the protests in Lahore, embodying the nation’s defiance against colonial arrogance. During the demonstration, he suffered a brutal lathi charge, sustaining injuries that led to his death. His famous declaration, “Every blow on my body will be a nail in the coffin of British imperialism,” became a rallying cry for freedom fighters. Rai’s sacrifice galvanized the Indian populace, strengthening anti-colonial sentiments and uniting diverse groups against British rule. The event also inspired revolutionary groups, such as Bhagat Singh’s Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA), to intensify their struggle for independence.

Previous Year Questions on Lala Lajpat Rai

1. UPSC CSE 2020

Question: "Highlight the contributions of Lala Lajpat Rai to the freedom struggle and social reforms in India."

Answer: Lala Lajpat Rai contributed to India’s freedom struggle through his leadership in the Swadeshi Movement, Non-Cooperation Movement, and protests against the Simon Commission. As a social reformer, he promoted education, eradication of untouchability, and women’s rights, aligning with Arya Samaj principles.

2. UPSC CSE 2019

Question: "How did the Lal-Bal-Pal trio influence the Indian National Movement?"

Answer: The Lal-Bal-Pal trio, including Lala Lajpat Rai, brought revolutionary zeal to the freedom movement by advocating Swadeshi, boycotting British goods, and mobilizing the masses. Their leadership during the Swadeshi Movement and Partition of Bengal protests strengthened India’s fight for independence.