Encyclopaedia of Eminent Thinkers: The Political Thought of Bhagat Singh

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This volume examines the political philosophy of Sardar Bhagat Singh. Providing new insights into the life and times of Bhagat Singh, it presents a detailed account of his political ideology and perception, the roots of extremism in him, and his relations with Mahatma Gandhi and the Congress. It also probes Gandhi's efforts to save the life of Bhagat Singh.

Dr. (Miss) Ashu Pasricha is a faculty in Gandhian Studies at Panjab University, Chandigarh. She has many books to her credit including Gandhian Approach to Integrated Rural Development; Public Administration: Discipline and Dimensions; Peace Studies: Discipline and Dimensions; WTO, Self-reliance and Globalisation; and Gandhi's Concept of State and Power. Also, she has published a number of research papers in various Indian and foreign journals of repute.

The revolutionaries were active in Indian politics for several years. They contributed a great deal in their own way towards the freedom of the country. Although they could not penetrate deeply in the hearts of the masses, they certainly infused in them a sense of patriotism and a determination to drive out the foreigners from their soil. This sort of spirit alarmed the British bureaucrats ruling the country at that time. Besides, they were also distressed to see that even those, who were opposed to their ideology and methods, praised them for their love of motherland and the heroic way in which they faced the gallows or an extremely hard life in the British jails of India including 'Kala Pani'. While denouncing their cult of violence even Mahatma Gandhi, an apostle of non-violence, unhesitatingly appreciated their feelings of intense patriotism and their willingness to sacrifice their all for the emancipation of their country from foreign yoke.

Undoubtedly the revolutionaries, except a few, treaded the thorny path, they had willingly chosen, with great courage and bravery. Several of them faced the gallows smilingly with great fortitude. They certainly deserve to be ranked among martyrs of freedom. Among such martyrs the name of Bhagat Singh shines as a star. He is rightly called the 'Prince of Martyrs'.

Bhagat Singh stated the gospel truth when he said, "You can kill individuals, but not the ideas. Great empires crumbled, but the ideas survived." The Bourbons, the Czars and the British Empire in India fell, but India as free Bharat survives all vicissitudes of foreign conquest and subjection. Indeed, this is what Bhagat Singh fought and died for. He wanted India not only to be free but also a sovereign socialist republic of workers and peasants.

**Contents and Sample Pages**