Understanding the John Saunders Assassination (1928)

The question asks about the involvement of Indian freedom fighters in the assassination of British officer John Saunders in 1928. This event was a significant moment in the Indian independence movement.

The Event: Assassination of John Saunders

In 1928, during protests against the Simon Commission, the prominent nationalist leader Lala Lajpat Rai was severely injured in a lathi charge ordered by Superintendent of Police, James Scott. These injuries later led to his death. To avenge Lala Lajpat Rai's death, revolutionaries associated with the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) planned to assassinate James Scott.

However, on December 17, 1928, the revolutionaries mistakenly shot John Saunders, the Assistant Superintendent of Police, outside the District Police Headquarters in Lahore, believing him to be James Scott. The key figures involved in this action were:

• Bhagat Singh
• Sukhdev Thapar
• Shivaram Rajguru
• Chandrashekhar Azad (provided cover)

Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Azad were directly involved in the shooting, with Bhagat Singh and Rajguru firing the fatal shots. Sukhdev was involved in the planning.

Analyzing the Options

Let's examine the options provided:

• C.R. Das: Chitta Ranjan Das was a prominent leader of the Swaraj Party and a nationalist but passed away in 1925, before the John Saunders assassination. He was not involved in revolutionary activities of this nature.
• Bal Gangadhar Tilak: Bal Gangadhar Tilak was a leading figure of the Indian independence movement and is known for his radical approach, but he passed away in 1920. He was not alive in 1928 and thus not involved in the John Saunders assassination.
• Subhash Chandra Bose: Subhash Chandra Bose was a significant nationalist leader and later founded the Forward Bloc. While he was active in the independence movement during the 1920s and later, he was not directly involved in the HSRA's planned action against Scott or the resulting John Saunders assassination.
• Bhagat Singh: As discussed, Bhagat Singh was a central figure in the HSRA and was one of the revolutionaries who directly participated in the assassination of John Saunders in 1928.

Based on historical facts, Bhagat Singh was indeed involved in the 1928 assassination of British officer John Saunders.

Revision Table: Key Facts on Saunders Assassination

Additional Information: Context and Aftermath

The assassination of John Saunders was a daring act by the HSRA revolutionaries. It was a direct response to the death of Lala Lajpat Rai, an esteemed leader known as the 'Lion of Punjab'.

• Motivation: The primary motivation was to avenge the insult and injury inflicted upon Lala Lajpat Rai during a peaceful protest against the Simon Commission. The revolutionaries saw this as an attack on the dignity of the Indian nation.
• HSRA: The Hindustan Socialist Republican Association was a revolutionary organization active in India. Key members included Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru, Chandrashekhar Azad, and others. They advocated for complete independence and used revolutionary methods.
• Lahore Conspiracy Case: The John Saunders assassination led to the famous Lahore Conspiracy Case trial. Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru were tried for this and other revolutionary activities, including the bombing of the Central Legislative Assembly in Delhi in 1929.
• Legacy: The actions of Bhagat Singh and his comrades, including the Saunders assassination and their subsequent trial and execution, deeply impacted the youth and further intensified the struggle for Indian independence. They became symbols of courage and sacrifice.

Understanding this historical context helps clarify the involvement of Bhagat Singh in the John Saunders assassination in 1928.