Behind the Bars: The Untold Story of India’s Revolutionaries in British Jails

 

After the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857, the British imperialists took every step to crush any future uprising. To tighten their repressive control, they built prisons and detention camps across India. After the Partition of Bengal in 1905, these facilities became tools to suppress the growing spirit of freedom among Indians. Gallows were set up inside jails, and brutal punishments awaited those who dared to rise.

One of the earliest and youngest martyrs, Khudiram Bose, was executed inside Muzaffarpur Jail on 11 August 1908. He was just 19 years old. In 1910 alone, four more brave revolutionaries from Bengal were hanged at Presidency Jail. Arrests followed across Bengal, with many revolutionaries deported to the dreaded Cellular Jail in Andaman, known for its torturous conditions.

Jails Overflowing With Patriots

With the start of the Non-Cooperation Movement in 1921, thousands of freedom fighters, including peaceful Satyagrahis, were arrested. The jails were flooded with patriots who joined movements like the Simon Commission Boycott, Salt Satyagraha, and the Civil Disobedience Movement. These prisoners were not criminals—they were the soul of India’s freedom struggle.

The revolutionary songs of Kazi Nazrul Islam filled hearts with courage. Bengal produced over 25 revolutionary leaders who bravely led the freedom movement. The fire reached its peak during the Quit India Movement of 1942, with the fierce call of “Do or Die.” The story of these brave hearts is not just history; it is our legacy.

Revolutionaries Who Died Outside Bengal but Belonged to Bengal

1. Khudiram Bose (Midnapore, 19 years)

Tried to assassinate British magistrate Kingsford. Captured and hanged on 11 August 1908 at Muzaffarpur Jail (Bihar). He became one of the youngest martyrs of the freedom struggle.

2. Basant Kumar Biswas (Nadia, 20 years)

Charged with throwing a bomb at the Viceroy Hardinge procession in 1912. Hanged at Ambala Jail on 11 May 1915.

3. Rajendra Nath Lahiri (Pabna, 26 years)

Key figure in the Kakori Train Robbery case. Hanged at Gonda Jail, UP, on 17 December 1927 along with Roshan Singh, Ashfaqulla Khan, and Ram Prasad Bismil.

4. Manoranjan Sengupta & Nirendranath Dasgupta (Faridpur, 23 years)

Both took part in the legendary Battle of Balasore (Buibalam) alongside Bagha Jatin on 9 September 1915. They were executed at Balasore Jail on 3 December 1915.

5. Jatindranath Das (Calcutta, 25 years)

Close associate of Bhagat Singh. Died after a 63-day hunger strike protesting inhumane jail conditions at Lahore Jail on 13 September 1929.

6. Sachindra Nath Sanyal (Varanasi, 52 years)

Co-Founder of the Hindustan Republican Association. He was exiled twice to the Cellular Jail and spent over 20 years in prison. Died in 1942 at Gorakhpur Jail.

7. Premananda Dutta (Chittagong)

Imprisoned for assassinating British detective Prafulla Roy. Suffered extreme torture, lost mental stability, and died in Ranchi asylum.

8. Nine Soldiers of Fourth Madras Coastal Battery

On 27 September 1943, nine brave soldiers were executed for plotting against British rule. They were:

• Mankumar Basu Thakur
• Nanda Kumar Dey
• Durga Das Roychowdhury
• Niranjan Barua
• Chittaranjan Mukherjee
• Phanibhusan Chakraborty
• Sunil Kumar Mukherjee
• Kalipada Aich
• Nirendra Mohan Mukherjee

9. Naren Dutta Alias Girija Dutta (Sylhet)

Imprisoned in the Banaras Conspiracy Case. He died in Agra (U.P) Jail after seven years of harsh imprisonment.

10. Manidranath Banerjee (Banaras, 23 years)

He was born on 13 January 1909 in Pandeyghat, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. He joined the Hindustan Republican Army and deeply respected Rajendra Lahiri as his mentor. Sadly, it was his own uncle, Jitendra Banerjee, a police officer, whose testimony led to Lahiri’s execution. In a painful turn of events, he later took revenge by killing his uncle. He was arrested and sentenced to ten years in prison. While in Fatehgarh Jail, he and other political prisoners began a hunger strike on 14 May 1934, demanding better treatment. After 66 days without food, he passed away on 20 June 1934 in the arms of fellow freedom fighter Manmath Nath Gupta.

11. Sailen Chatterjee (Comilla, 19 years)

Died due to police firing injuries at Deoli Detention Camp (Rajasthan) in October 1933.

12. Satkari Bandyopadhyay aka Satu Babu (1889-1937)

He was born in Behala, South 24-Parganas.He joined the revolutionary movement at a young age and was expelled from school for joining a rally to welcome Surendranath Banerjee. He became closely involved with the Yugantar group and played a key role in its foreign affairs wing in 1915. After the arrival of the Japanese ship Komagatamaru at Budge Budge in 1914, he supported revolutionary efforts. He was arrested on 4 March 1916 and later went on a 67-day hunger strike in Naini Jail to protest mistreatment of political prisoners. After his release in 1920, he continued his organisational work and was imprisoned again from 1924–1927. He even planned an attack on British police commissioner Charles Tegart. Arrested for a third time, he was kept under house arrest and later shifted to Deuli Jail, where he died in 1932 from piles.

13. Santosh Ganguly (Bajrayogini)

In despair over brutal treatment, he committed suicide at Deoli Detention Camp (Rajasthan) in 1930.

14. Jatish Guha

He was born around 1905 in Dhaka, Bengal. After finishing his education there, he moved to Calcutta in 1930, earned an MA in 1931, and later a law degree. Though he started as a court advocate, his deep love for India’s freedom soon led him to join the Gupta Biplabi Dal, a revolutionary group. He later became active in the Forward Bloc, led by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.Jatish played a key role in helping Netaji escape from Calcutta, aiding his mission to seek global support for India’s freedom. In 1942, during the Quit India Movement, Jatish was arrested and jailed in Delhi's Red Fort. He faced torture but never gave up the cause. He died in 1946 from injuries in prison. His sacrifice remains a symbol of courage and patriotism in India’s fight for independence.

Conclusion: A Nation Built on Martyrs’ Sacrifices

The history of India’s independence is not only about political negotiations and speeches; it is carved in the pain, blood, and courage of young revolutionaries. These were not criminals but warriors who took on the British Empire with unmatched courage. Many of them never saw the dawn of freedom, but their sacrifice lit the path for others.

Their names may not be in every textbook, but their stories deserve to be told. This article stands as a humble tribute to their undying spirit. Let us never forget that the independence we celebrate today came at the cost of thousands of lives who chose death over submission.

“They chose death over submission —
In chains, they forged the freedom we now breathe.”
— Tribute to India’s Revolutionary Martyrs