He shot himself to avoid capture
Indian freedom fighters battled tirelessly for the country’s independence and their valiant efforts marked a pivotal chapter in India’s history.
Whilst some of us may be familiar with their names and deeds, their appearance has somewhat eluded us.
However, with the help of deep learning techniques, Madhav Kohli, an artist from India has created images of these figures using AI.
This exciting development opens up new possibilities for historical research and education, as well as the creative arts.
Bhagat Singh
Bhagat Singh was a socialist revolutionary and one of the Indian freedom fighters who played a pivotal role in the country’s struggle for independence from British colonial rule.
He was a member of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA), which aimed to overthrow British rule through armed struggle.
Singh was known for his daring acts of protest against the British government.
One of the most famous incidents associated with Bhagat Singh was the bombing of the Central Legislative Assembly in Delhi in 1929, for which he was arrested along with several other revolutionaries.
He was tried and sentenced to death by hanging on March 23, 1931, at the age of 23.
His execution made him a martyr and a symbol of the Indian independence movement.
Chandra Shekhar Azad
Chandra Shekhar Azad was born in Madhya Pradesh, India, and was actively involved in the freedom struggle from a young age.
Azad was also a key member of the HRSA. Known for his fearlessness and intelligence Azad was completely dedicated to the cause of Indian independence.
One of his most noted revolutionary activities includes the Kakori train robbery in 1925, in which the HSRA members looted a train carrying British government funds.
Azad was also involved in the assassination of a British police officer, J.P. Saunders, in 1928 along with other HRSA members like Bhagat Singh and Sukhdev Thapar.
Azad became known for his ability to evade the British authorities, and he was seen as a symbol of resistance against British rule.
However, in 1931, he was surrounded by British police in Allahabad, and after a long gun battle, he shot himself to avoid capture.
Shivaram Rajguru
Shivaram Rajguru was one of the Indian freedom fighters actively involved in the struggle from a young age.
Rajguru was known for his bravery in the face of danger.
Rajguru was involved in several revolutionary activities, including the assassination of J.P. Saunders and the Kakori train robbery.
Along with Bhagat Singh and Sukhdev Thapar, Rajguru was arrested for the murder of Saunders and was sentenced to death by hanging.
He was executed on March 23, 1931, at the age of 23.
Rajguru is remembered as a hero of the Indian independence movement, and his bravery and sacrifice continue to inspire people in India and around the world.
He is seen as a symbol of the spirit of resistance against oppression and a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who fought for India’s freedom.
Sukhdev Thapar
Sukhdev Thapar was a leading figure in the early fight for India’s freedom.
He participated in numerous revolutionary activities such as a prison hunger strike in 1929 but he is most known for the Lahore Conspiracy Case of 1929.
The case was a series of trials against Indian revolutionaries which saw death sentences handed out to figures whilst others were exiled.
Thapar and his accomplices were arrested, convicted, and hung in Lahore Central Jail.
As such an inspirational figure, Thapar’s memory is maintained in form of the Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies and Amar Shaheed Sukhdev Thapar Inter-State Bus Terminal.
Sarojini Naidu
Sarojini Naidu was an Indian independence activist and poet. She was born in Hyderabad, India, and was educated in India and the United Kingdom.
She was the first Indian woman to become the President of the Indian National Congress and was also the first woman Governor of an Indian state.
Naidu played an important role in the Indian independence movement and was a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi.
She participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement and the Salt Satyagraha and was jailed several times by the British authorities.
Apart from her political activities, Sarojini Naidu was also a renowned poet.
Her poetry was deeply rooted in Indian culture and often dealt with themes of love, nature, and patriotism. Her most famous works include “The Golden Threshold” and “The Bird of Time.”
Sarojini Naidu was a trailblazer for Indian women in politics and literature, and her contributions to Indian society continue to be celebrated.
Subhas Chandra Bose
Subhas Chandra Bose, also referred to as Netaji, was an influential Indian freedom fighter.
Bose was born in Cuttack, Odisha, India, and was educated in India and the United Kingdom.
He was deeply influenced by the teachings of Swami Vivekananda and was a fervent believer in Indian nationalism.
Subhas Chandra Bose was an important leader in the Indian National Congress, but he became disillusioned with the party’s nonviolent approach to independence and eventually formed the Forward Bloc in 1939.
He also sought support from Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan during World War II to gain support for India’s independence.
In 1942, Subhas Chandra Bose organised the Indian National Army (INA) in Southeast Asia, which fought alongside Japanese forces against the British in India.
However, the INA’s campaign was unsuccessful, and Bose was killed in a plane crash in 1945 under disputed circumstances.
Subhas Chandra Bose remains a controversial figure in Indian history, with some viewing him as a heroic freedom fighter and others criticising his alliance with Axis powers during World War II.
Nevertheless, his contributions to the Indian independence movement and his commitment to India’s freedom continue to be celebrated and remembered in India.
Lala Lajpat Rai
Lala Lajpat Rai was born in Punjab, India and was educated at Government College, Lahore.
Known for his strong advocacy of Swadeshi (indigenous) products and the boycott of British goods, Rai was also a vocal critic of the British government’s policies towards India.
In 1928, Rai led a peaceful protest march against the Simon Commission, a group appointed by the British government to review India’s constitution.
During the march, he was brutally beaten by the police and sustained severe injuries. Despite this, the figure still addressed the crowd and said:
“I declare that the blows struck at me today will be the last nails in the coffin of British rule in India.”
Rai later succumbed to his injuries and died on November 17, 1928. However, the British government denied any involvement in his death.
This event would spark the controversial killing of J.P. Saunders.
Rai was often referred to as Punjab Kesari (Lion of Punjab) due to his courage and strong advocacy of Indian nationalism.
Bal Gangadhar Tilak
Bal Gangadhar Tilak was a strong advocate of Indian nationalism and self-rule. He worked tirelessly to promote Indian culture and traditions.
Like Lala Lajpat Rai, Tilak believed that India could only achieve true independence through self-rule and Swadeshi (indigenous) economic development.
Tilak was the founder of two influential newspapers, Kesari and Maratha, which helped to promote his ideas and inspire the Indian people.
He was also a key figure in the Indian National Congress and was the first president of the All India Home Rule League.
Tilak was arrested multiple times by the British authorities for his political activities, and he was eventually exiled to Mandalay, Burma for six years.
Despite his imprisonment and exile, he remained committed to the cause of Indian independence and continued to inspire others to fight for their freedom.
Mangal Pandey
Mangal Pandey was a soldier and one of the most prominent Indian freedom fighters.
He joined the British East India Company army in 1849 and viewed his profession as a stepping stone to future success and independence.
However, his culture and career would come into conflict when a rumour spread about a new Enfield rifle in the country.
The gun required soldiers to bite off the ends of greased cartridges so they could load the weapon.
The rumour was that the lubricant was cow or pig lard and the British did this purposely as a repugnant.
Then, Pandey apparently attempted to cause an uprise against their British officers by attacking two of those officers.
There are reports he tried to shoot himself but was captured and hung to death on April 8, 1857.
In India, Pandey has been remembered as a freedom fighter against British rule.
A commemorative postage stamp with his image on it was issued by the Indian government in 1984.
These Indian freedom fighters have served a tremendous purpose in the independence of their nation.
Now, their stories and faces can be cemented into history with these AI-generated images.
Whilst the images may not be like for like with their actual appearance, it serves as a creative foundation for people to seek out their journeys and fight for freedom.
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