Khudiram Bose, India’s youngest freedom fighter was hanged to death at a tender age of 18 on August 11, 1908. Famed for his “‘Muzaffarpur Killing’ and ‘Distribution of Handbills’, Khudiram Bose started the fight against the British Empire when he was in class 8.
Born in 1889 in the now West Bengal’s Midnapore district, Khudiram was inspired and influenced by the teachings of Sri Aurobindo, who was then a revolutionary freedom fighter. Legend has it that fired up by the idea of revolution, Khudiram requested his teacher to give him a revolver.
Orphaned at a young age, Khudiram was raised by his elder sister. But the idea to fight for the country’s freedom came early in this boy’s mind.
The Carriage Killings
In Muzzafarpur, Bihar, on April 30, 1908, Khudiram Bose and Prafulla Chaki planned to assassinate the Chief Presidency Magistrate Kingsford. The magistrate was known for his blatant judgments against the freedom fighters. They waited for Kingsford’s carriage to come in front of the gate of the European Club and blew up a carriage that was not carrying Kingsford. As a result of this unfortunate incident two innocent British ladies – Mrs Kennedy and her daughter were killed. Both the revolutionaries fled the crime scene. Later Prafulla committed suicide and Khudiram was arrested.
The Court Proceedings
During the hearing of the bombing case, Khudiram Bose took the complete responsibility of the conspiracy. When the judge pronounced his death sentence he responded with a simple smile. Later, the judge asked him to say something, Khudiram said if he could be given some more time, he could teach the judge how to make bombs.
An undergraduate college called Khudiram Bose Central College was established in 1965 in Kolkata in his honor. Muzaffarpur Jail, where he was incarcerated and executed on August 11, 1908, has been named as the Khudiram Bose Memorial Central Jail.
