Khudiram Bose - He Died To Set You Free

By Staff

on August 4, 2008

Many freedom fighters have been seeped away by time. One among those thousands is Khudiram Bose. It was this exceptional hero, who threw the first bomb on the British who were curbing Indians from their birth right - 'freedom'. However, his freedom struggle did not last for long because at the age of nineteen he became a martyr. Creep into this child's extraordinary life with me.

Khudiram Bose was born on December 3, 1889 in a small village called Mohobony in Bengal to Trailokyanath Basu a revenue agent of the town and Lakshmipriya Devi. His life was filled with anguish and a thirst to fight back just like many other teenagers in the the town, but as many dreamt, he lived his dream.

In 1905, British policy of the partition of Bengal, furthered triggered Khudiram's spirit to free his country. He joined Jugantar - the party of revolutionary activists to end the British Raj.

Bose usually distributed handbills that bore the title 'Sonar Bangla'. It carried the slogan Vande Mataram'. The main aim of the handbill was to expose in detail the British tyranny. Once when he was distributing the handbills in an exhibition, among the visitors there were a few who opposed people who exposed the injustice of the British. So they tried to stop him by rebuking him and frightening him. But he calmly ignored them and continued his work. When they tried to capture him, he smartly escaped within a fraction of second.

At last a policeman caught Khudiram and tried to pull the bundle away from his hand. Annoyed by the policeman's attitude he swung his arm and powerfully struck his nose. Taking back his priced possession (handbills) Khudiram said, "Take care, don't touch my body! I will see how you can arrest me without a warrant." The policeman with even great fury tried to catch him, but for his dismay the smart kid disappeared in the midst of the crowd. Seeing Khudiram's brave act the crowd busted into great cry 'Vande Mataram'. The police and some people loyal to the British felt humiliated and walked out with shame.

In 1908 Khudiram and Prafulla Chaki ( 20 years old ) were sent to Muzaffarpur, Bihar to assassinate Kingsford, magistrate of Muzaffarpur, Bihar. At a distance the two boys watched the usual movements of Kingsford and sketched a plan to kill him. As per the plan on the evening of April 30, 1908 they threw bombs on the carriage in which two British ladies Mrs and Miss Kennedy (the wife and daughter of barrister Pringle Kennedy)and their servant - were riding instead of their main target Kingsford. With the miss hit and the police chasing them from behind, the revolutionary duo fled the town. Khudiram's teammate Prafulla committed suicide when cornered by police at the Samastipur Railway station. Khudiram was later arrested and sentenced to death on Muzaffarpur bombing and other charges of bombings carried out by him. He was hanged to death on August 11, 1908, but death never seemed to scare him as one of the research states that he bore a bright smile even after his body breathed its last. This shows that brave warrior of freedom although hadn't attained his purpose was sure that at least he breathed in fear in the hearts of Britishers. Although he was not alive for 39 more years and 4 days, to see the dawn of Independence, he added one freedom struggle story in the Indian history that would make Indian's proud for ages.

When you tuck in your bed tonight for a warm and safe sleep, remember there were thousands of Khudiram's who made your country a free nestle – just for you.