About Bhagat Singh Bhagat Singh 27 September 1907 23 March 1931 2 was an Indian nationalist considered to be one of the most influential revolutionaries of the Indian independence movement He is often referred to as Shaheed Bhagat Singh the word Shaheed meaning martyr in a number of Indian languages 4 5 6 Born into a Sandhu Jat Sikh family which had earlier been involved in revolutionary activities against the British Raj as a teenager Singh studied European revolutionary movements and was attracted to anarchist and marxist ideologies He became involved in numerous revolutionary organizations and quickly rose through the ranks of the Hindustan Republican Association HRA to become one of its main leaders eventually changing its name to the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association HSRA in 1928 7 8 9 Seeking revenge for the death of Lala Lajpat Rai at the hands of the police Singh was involved in the assassination of British police officer John Saunders He eluded efforts by the police to capture him Together with Batukeshwar Dutt he undertook a successful effort to throw two bombs and leaflets inside the Central Legislative Assembly while shouting slogans of Inquilab Zindabad Subsequently they volunteered to surrender and be arrested Held on this charge he gained widespread national support when he underwent a 116 day fast in jail demanding equal rights for British and Indian political prisoners 10 During this time sufficient evidence was brought against him for a conviction in the Saunders case after trial by a Special Tribunal and appeal at the Privy Council in England He was convicted and subsequently hanged for his participation in the murder aged 23 His legacy prompted youth in India to begin fighting for Indian independence and he continues to be a youth idol in modern India as well as the inspiration for several films He is commemorated with a large bronze statue in the Parliament of India as well as a range of other memorials