Lala Lajpat Rai was an Indian author and politician who is chiefly remembered as a freedom fighter who fought the British Raj. Rai was popularly known as Punjab Kesari (The Lion of Punjab). Lala Lajpat Rai, one of the chief leaders of the Indian Independence Movement, was born on January 28, in the year 1865, in Punjab.
Lajpat Rai was one of the most important nationalist leaders from the Punjab, where he is remembered reverently. He was a key mentor of nationalists like Bhagat Singh and Chandrasekhar Azad.
Lala Lajpat Rai helped found the Punjab National Bank
He is the reason behind the existence of one of the famous banks Punjab National Bank.
Rai Was The Chief Architect Of ‘Swadeshi Moment’
He stressed self-reliance for Indians in the 1900 session of the National Congress. So, he was the original brain behind ‘Make In India.
Martyrs’ Day Celebrated In Rai’s honour
Lala Lajpat Rai launched a peaceful procession to boycott arrival of the Simon Commission in Lahore in 1928, but then Superintendent of Police, Scott ordered a ‘lathi-charge’ at all the activists.
He became the target of a merciless lathi charge led by British police. Lala Lajpat Rai died on November 17, 1928 due to his injuries. His death is celebrated as Martyrs’ Day in Odisha.
He Respected Values
He set up the nationalistic Dayanand Anglo-Vedic and went on to teach in the Anglo-Vedic College, which was operated by Arya Samaj. Rai was influenced by Hinduism and reformed many Indian policies.
How Did He Get Punjab Kesari Title?
There is a myth that he got this name after Punjab Kesari newspaper. But this is wrong as ‘Punjab Kesari’ was a title given to him even before the newspaper came into existence.
Lala Lajpat Rai died on November 17, 1928 due to his serious injuries.
Rai University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences in Hisar, Haryana is named after Lala Lajpat Rai.
