Qissa of Lucknow’s freedom struggle
Lucknow was one of the key cities during the India’s independence movement. Right from 1857 Uprising to Kakori Train Robbery (1925) and more, several incidents took place in Awadh. Dastango Himanshu Bajpai, during a live session ‘Ansune Kisse Azaadi Ke,’ narrated some of those instances. We bring a few for our readers, today. So let’s walk down memory lane with the story teller.
In the year 1928, Simon Commission protests started all over the country with Pt Jawaharlal Nehru leading the march in Lucknow. Protests were held at Charbagh, Aminabad, Lucknow University and other parts of the city. School and college students participated in large numbers. Nehru along with other freedom fighters was badly thrashed by British at Lucknow University, also one of the students was run over by a horse.
Later, in the evening a dinner was held at the Kaiserbagh complex. A novel way was brought into being to register the protests. Kites with ‘Simon Go Back’ written on them were flown and downed at the compound where the dinner was being held. This idea left the British fuming. The event was widely reported all across the nation.
During the same time, a major protest was held at Jhandewala Park in Aminabad too. Where freedom fighters hoisted a Tricolour at the park and were beaten by British officials. This trend continued for many days. In 1935, during a protest Gubal Singh Lodi hoisted the flag at the same park. He climbed atop of the tree and cops shot him dead. The martyr’s statue stands tall at the park today.
The current General Post Office (GPO) in Hazraganj was the place where the Kakori Train Robbery main trials were held in 1926-27. It was known as Ring Theatre then. Roshanuddaula Court in Qaiserbagh was the other location where the trails were held. In July 1927 Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqullah Khan, Thakur Roshan Singh and Rajendra Lehri were awarded death sentence whereas Sachindra Bakshi and Sachindra Nath Sanyal were penalised with ‘Kala Pani’ (deportation to Cellular Jail, Port Blair).
The qissago tells 1916 Congress Convention when Congress and Muslim League leaders signed the Lucknow Pact. The event was held at Qaiserbagh while meetings were held at a different place. After signing the pact both parties decided to fight for India’s independence together.
Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sarojni Naidu, Mohd Ali Jinnah and many other leaders were present at the event.
During the meeting Jinnah was termed as ‘Ambassador of Hindu-Muslim unity’ by Sarojni Naidu. It was after many years the ‘Garam Dal’ and ‘Naram Dal’ had together attended a meet. Earlier, on his arrival to Lucknow, Bal Gangadhar Tilak was sat on a hand cart in Charbagh which was pulled by Ram Prasad Bismil, it was one of the most memorable sight.
The qissa session was held as a part of Vande Vatan event organised by Dastak Manch.