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SHAHEED BHAGAT SINGH

Shaheed Bhagat Singh was born in Village Banga, Chak No 105, G.B. in the Lyallpur District (now in Pakistan) on 26th September, 1907, The grandmother of S. Bhagat Singh used to call him 'Bhaganwala' (lucky) because the news of release of his uncle Ajit Singh from Mandlay Jail and his father Kishen Singh from Lahore Jail had coincided with Bhagat Singh's birth.

Bhagat Singh got his primary education at Banga (District Jalandhar). He came into contact with well-known nationalists such as Mehta Anand Kishore, Lala Pindi Dass, Sufi Amba Parshad and Lala Lajpat Rai. He also came in touch with Gadar heroes, Kartar Singh Sarabha and Ras Bihari Bose who used to visit his father. As a child, Bhagat Singh would listen to their 'talks' and 'plans'. The martyrdom of Kartar Singh Sarabha who laid down his life on November 16, 1915 left a deep impression on the young mind of Bhagat Singh who was then barely eight year's old. This infused in him the burning desire to serve his motherland. The impact of Kartar Singh Sarabha's martyrdom on Bhagat Singh can be judged from the fact that when he was arrested, a photograph of Saheed Kartar Singh Sarabha was found from his pocket.

The incident of Lala Lajpat Rai's death infuriated the whole Nation and more particularly the younger generation of patriots like Bhagat Singh, Raj Guru and Sukhdev. In retaliation, they shot dead Mr.Saunders, Assistant Superintendent of Police, assuming him to be Mr.Scot.

After this incident, Bhagat Singh escaped from Lahore and reached Calcutta. Bhagat Singh and B.K. Dutt threw a bomb in Imperial Assembly, Delhi in 1929 and raised slogans against imperialist rulers, they also threw leaflets in the chamber. They were arrested under section 307 I.P.C. and section 3 of the Explosive Act. Bhagat Singh was also tried along with his comrades in Saunders murder case, known as second Lahore consipracy case.

Bhagat Singh, Raj Guru and Sukhdev were sentenced to death on 7th October, 1930. Efforts were made by the national leaders to save them. But the British Government did not yield to their demand and stood by its decision of executing the death sentences on Bhagat Singh and his companions. With the shouting of slogans "Inquilab Zindabad", "Down Down Union Jack", "Up Up National F1ag", "Down with British imperialism", National heroes kissed the gallows on 23rd March, 1931 at 7 PM. in Lahore Jail. Their bodies were taken to Ferozepur. On the bank of river Satluj the same night they were cremated together hurriedly and their half burnt bones along with charred wood were thrown into the river in the dark of the night.

On getting the information, Bibi Amar Kaur, the younger sister of S. Bhagat Singh with Jai Dev went to the site and located the spot. They collected some of the half-burnt bones of the great martyrs along with the bloodstained sand where the dead bodies were kept prior to the cremation. The bones and sand were brought by them to Lahore and then taken in procession, which was attended by thousands of people.

In the Museum at his village Khatkar Kalan, these half-burnt bones and blood-stained sand along with the blood stained newspaper on which these were collected are well preserved and displayed. A copy of the judgement of the 1st Lahore Conspiracy case in which Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha was sentenced to death is also a notable exhibit. S. Bhagat Singh's scribed notes (in his own handwriting) on this copy of judgement, a copy of the Gita with his autographs which was presented to S. Bhagat Singh while he was in Lahore Jail and other personal belongings are also on display. The photographs of the revolutionaries and Ghadarites who inspired Bhagat Singh to wage freedom struggle have been displayed in the Museum. These exhibits are silent reminders of supreme sacrifices these martyrs made for the motherland. They shall inspire the generations to come.