Lala Lajpat Rai birth anniversary: All you need to know about the man from Punjab who gave ‘Simon Go Back’ slogan

Recognized for his fierce brand of patriotism and potent vocalism against the British rule in India, Lala earned the ‘Punjab Kesari’ title which means the Lion of the Punjab.

New Delhi, Jan 28: Lala Lajpat Rai, popularly known as the ‘Sher‘ (Lion) of Punjab, played an important role in India’s freedom struggle. The iconic leader was born on 28 January 1865 in Dhudike village, Ferozpur and reached the pinnacle of success by battling all odds with sheer determination, perseverance and courage. During India’s independence movement, Rai was a prominent member of the famous ‘Lal Bal Pal’ firebrand trio. Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with other leaders on Saturday paid tribute to Lala Lajpat Rai on his 151st birth anniversary. Modi took to twitter and lauded Lala Lajpat Rai on his 151st birth anniversary today. “He was respected for his fearlessness, impeccable integrity & fight against injustice”, the Prime Minister tweeted. Recognized for his fierce brand of patriotism and potent vocalism against the British rule in India, Lala earned the ‘Punjab Kesari’ title which means the Lion of the Punjab.

Lala was a voracious reader and was one of the three extremist members of the Indian National Congress who gave their life for the independence of India along with Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Bipin Chandra Pal. Rai died on November 17, 1928 due to a heart attack. Rai also initiated the foundation of the Punjab National Bank in 1895. In 1907, Lajpat Rai travelled to the US, and then returned during World War I. He also toured Sikh communities along the US West Coast; visited Tuskegee University in Alabama; and met with workers in the Philippines.

Remembering the prominent nationalist leader & social reformer ‘Lion of Punjab’ #LalaLajpatRai on his Birth Anniversary today. pic.twitter.com/52mz1h9NBV

— Prasar Bharati (@prasarbharati) January 27, 2017

All you need to know about the ‘Sher’ of Punjab

• Lala Lajpat Rai was born on January 28, 1865 to Munshi Radha Krishna Azad and Gulab Devi at Dhudike village in Ferozpur District.
• Lala’s father, Munshi Azad was a scholar of Persian and Urdu while his mother was a religious lady who inculcated strong moral values in her children.
• Lala Lajpat Rai was deeply influenced by the ideals of patriotism and nationalism outlined by Italian revolutionary leader Giuseppe Mazzini.
• Lala earned the ‘Punjab Kesari’ title which means the Lion of the Punjab for his fierce brand of patriotism and vocalism against the British rule in India.
• Lala Lajpat Rai, on October 30, 1928 led a peaceful procession to oppose the arrival of the Simon Commission in Lahore.
• He was badly injured in police lathi-charge on the activists who were protesting the arrival of Simon Commission.
• Lala Lajpat Rai’s death anniversary, 17 November, is one of the several days celebrated as Martyrs’ Day in India.
• He was one of the architects of the Swadeshi movement along with Mahatma Gandhi, Aurobindo Ghosh, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Bipin Chandra Pal and others.
• In 1897, he founded the Hindu Orphan Relief Movement to keep the Christian missions from securing custody of these children.
• Several famous books that Lala Lajpat Rai penned are The Story of My Deportation (1908), Arya Samaj (1915), The United States of America: A Hindu’s impressions (1916), Young India (1916), England’s Debt to India: India (1917).