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

Many brave sons of Bengal laid down their lives for India’s freedom—but not all of them died in their homeland. Some of the most fearless Bengali revolutionaries were captured and executed far from Bengal, their sacrifices echoing across the country.

1. Khudiram Bose (Midnapore, 19 years)

Khudiram Bose was not just a teenager—he was a fearless revolutionary who became the youngest martyr of India’s freedom movement. Born on 3 December 1889 in Midnapore, Bengal, Khudiram grew up during a time when British oppression was at its peak. Inspired by the ideals of patriotism and sacrifice, he joined the Anushilan Samiti, a revolutionary group in Bengal, at a very young age.

At just 18 years old, Khudiram was assigned a mission that would make him a legend. Along with fellow revolutionary Prafulla Chaki, he attempted to assassinate Magistrate Kingsford, known for his brutal judgments against nationalists. However, the bomb they threw mistakenly killed two British women instead. Prafulla took his own life before capture, but Khudiram was caught after walking over 20 miles barefoot.

Despite facing a biased British trial, Khudiram remained calm, fearless, and smiling till the end. On 11 August 1908, he was hanged at Muzaffarpur Jail, Bihar. He was only 19 years old.

His execution shocked the nation and ignited a wave of resistance. Across Bengal and India, people hailed him as a heroic symbol of youthful courage and sacrifice. His last smile remains one of the most powerful images in India's freedom history.

2. Basant Kumar Biswas (Nadia, 20 years)

Basant Kumar Biswas was one of India’s youngest and boldest revolutionaries who dared to strike at the heart of British power. Born in Nadia, Bengal in 1895, he joined the revolutionary organization Jugantar, inspired by the patriotic calls for complete independence.

At just 17 years old, Basant took part in a high-profile act of defiance—the attempted assassination of Viceroy Lord Hardinge. On 23 December 1912, during a grand procession in Delhi to inaugurate the new capital, a bomb was hurled at the Viceroy’s elephant carriage. Although Hardinge survived, the attack shook the British Empire. Basant, along with Rash Behari Bose and others, was involved in planning the assault.

He was later arrested, brutally interrogated, and sentenced to death. On 11 May 1915, at just 20 years of age, Basant Kumar Biswas was hanged in Ambala Jail (Punjab), becoming one of the youngest revolutionaries to be executed by the British.

His fearless act at such a young age proved that the fire of revolution burned brightly in the youth of Bengal. Basant’s sacrifice became an early warning to the colonial regime that India’s fight for freedom had begun in full force.

3. Rajendra Nath Lahiri (Pabna, 26 years)

Rajendra Nath Lahiri was a brilliant revolutionary who played a key role in one of the most daring acts of resistance against British rule—the Kakori Train Robbery. Born in Pabna (now in Bangladesh) in 1901, Lahiri was just 26 when he embraced martyrdom for the cause of Indian independence.

While studying for his master’s degree in history at Benaras Hindu University, Lahiri became an active member of the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA). The HRA aimed to fund its revolutionary activities by looting British treasury trains—one such operation being the Kakori train robbery in 1925, where British government money was seized.

Lahiri was arrested soon after and sentenced to death. He remained calm and fearless during his trial and captivity. On 17 December 1927, he was hanged in Gonda Jail, Uttar Pradesh, a few days before his comrades—Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqulla Khan, and Thakur Roshan Singh—were executed.

Rajendra Nath Lahiri’s courage, intellect, and patriotism made him a respected figure in the revolutionary circles. He is remembered as one of the four great martyrs of the Kakori Conspiracy, whose sacrifice became a symbol of India's rising revolutionary spirit.

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

Manoranjan Sengupta and Nirendranath Dasgupta, both just 23 years old, were fearless revolutionaries from Faridpur (now in Bangladesh). They became immortal in India’s freedom struggle for their heroic role in the historic Battle of Balasore, also known as the Buibalam Encounter, on 9 September 1915.

The battle was led by Bagha Jatin (Jatindranath Mukherjee), one of the most respected leaders of Bengal’s revolutionary movement. Manoranjan and Nirendranath were members of the militant Jugantar Dal, a secret armed group fighting British rule. Their mission was part of the larger Hindu–German Conspiracy, a plan to smuggle arms from Germany into India during World War I to spark a nationwide rebellion.

Bagha Jatin’s group landed on the Odisha coast to receive weapons from a German ship. But before the delivery could take place, they were surrounded by British police near the Buibalam River in Balasore. A fierce gun battle broke out, lasting over 75 minutes.

Bagha Jatin was badly wounded and later died in custody. Manoranjan Sengupta and Nirendranath Dasgupta were captured alive. Though tortured, they remained silent and loyal to their comrades. On 3 December 1915, both were executed at Balasore Jail by the British.

These two young men may not be widely known, but their courage, sacrifice, and loyalty make them true heroes of India’s independence movement. Their story stands as a glowing example of how Bengal’s revolutionaries challenged an empire with unwavering bravery.

5. Jatindranath Das (Calcutta, 25 years)

Jatindranath Das, also known as Jatin Das, was a young revolutionary from Calcutta (Kolkata), born in 1904. Deeply moved by the injustices of British colonial rule, he joined the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA) and became a close associate of Bhagat Singh.

In 1929, Jatin Das was arrested for his involvement in revolutionary activities, including the Central Assembly Bomb Case. He was sent to Lahore Jail, where he witnessed the cruel and unequal treatment of Indian political prisoners compared to European inmates.

To protest this injustice, he began a hunger strike on 13 July 1929, demanding better conditions for all political prisoners. Despite his weakening health, he refused food for 63 days. On 13 September 1929, Jatin Das passed away in jail, becoming a symbol of sacrifice and resistance.

His body was brought back to Calcutta, and thousands lined the streets to pay tribute. His death shook the nation and brought global attention to the inhumane treatment of Indian revolutionaries in British prisons.

Even though he was only 25 years old, Jatindranath Das’s hunger strike became one of the most powerful non-violent protests in Indian history, proving that even silence and suffering can shake empires.

6. Sachindra Nath Sanyal (Varanasi, 52 years)

Sachindra Nath Sanyal was one of the most brilliant and fearless revolutionaries in India’s freedom struggle. Born in Varanasi in 1893, he co-founded the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA), the revolutionary group that inspired icons like Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, and Rajendra Lahiri. Unlike many leaders of his time, Sanyal firmly believed that armed resistance was necessary to shake the British Empire.

A master of underground networking, he spread revolutionary ideas across India through secret pamphlets and coded messages. His booklet, "Bandi Jeevan" (A Life of a Prisoner), became a manual of inspiration for jailed revolutionaries.

Sanyal was exiled not once but twice to the dreaded Cellular Jail in the Andaman Islands, also known as "Kala Pani." He spent over 20 years in British prisons, enduring inhuman torture, solitary confinement, and forced labor. Despite harsh conditions, he never gave up his revolutionary spirit.

Even from prison, Sachindra Nath Sanyal remained a mentor to young revolutionaries. Bhagat Singh himself looked up to him as a guide, referring to him as the true torchbearer of India’s revolutionary path.

In 1942, after decades of brutal imprisonment, Sanyal passed away in Gorakhpur Jail. He was just 49. His death received little public attention due to British censorship, but his legacy lived on in the fire of countless youth who fought for India's independence.

7. Premananda Dutta (Chittagong)    

Premananda Dutta was a brave revolutionary from Chittagong, a region known for producing fearless freedom fighters during British rule. A determined youth, Premananda believed that India’s independence could only be won by standing up to colonial oppression—no matter the cost.

He was arrested for assassinating British detective Prafulla Roy, a known agent of imperial suppression. This bold act made Premananda a marked enemy of the British Raj. After his arrest, he was subjected to severe physical and psychological torture in jail.

The repeated abuse broke his mental health. Stripped of dignity and hope, Premananda was declared mentally unstable and shifted to the Ranchi asylum, where he eventually died in captivity.

Though his death was quiet, his courage spoke louder than words. He may not have died on the battlefield, but he laid down his life fighting for India's freedom in the darkest corners of colonial jails.

8. Nine Soldiers of Fourth Madras Coastal Battery

In the shadows of World War II, a bold act of defiance rose from within the ranks of the British Indian Army. On 27 September 1943, nine courageous soldiers of the Fourth Madras Coastal Battery were executed by the British for conspiring against colonial rule. These men chose loyalty to their motherland over obedience to their colonial masters.

Their names echo in silence but carry the weight of immense courage:

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

These soldiers were deeply inspired by the Quit India Movement of 1942 and the fearless efforts of the Indian National Army (INA) under Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. The INA’s battle cry, “Chalo Delhi!”, and its daring confrontations with British forces in Imphal and Kohima in 1944, ignited a powerful sense of nationalism within even the ranks of the British Indian Army.

Fuelled by this spirit, the nine soldiers reportedly planned a mutiny against British authority, hoping to contribute to India’s freedom from within the system. But the British caught wind of the plan. The consequences were swift and brutal—all nine were executed, their courage buried under colonial silence.

Though their story remains largely untold, their sacrifice stands as a rare act of resistance from within the British Indian military. These forgotten martyrs remind us that India's fight for freedom came not only from the streets and jails, but also from inside the very army that was used to suppress it.

9. Naren Dutta Alias Girija Dutta (Sylhet)

Naren Dutta, also known by his alias Girija Dutta, was a committed revolutionary from Sylhet, a region that played a crucial role in Bengal’s freedom movement. He was deeply involved in the Banaras Conspiracy Case, a major anti-British revolutionary plot that connected freedom fighters across northern India. This case involved a network of young revolutionaries planning to overthrow British rule through armed resistance. It was closely linked to the activities of the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA)—the same group that produced legendary revolutionaries like Chandrashekhar Azad and Rajendra Lahiri.

Arrested for his role in the conspiracy, Naren Dutta was sentenced to a long term of imprisonment. He spent seven years in harsh jail conditions, enduring brutal treatment under British rule. Eventually, the effects of continuous torture and neglect took a toll on his health. He died in Agra Central Jail (Uttar Pradesh)—far from his homeland, yet close to the heart of India’s freedom struggle.

Though not widely remembered today, Naren Dutta’s life is a powerful reminder of the many unsung heroes who gave everything—including their lives—for India’s independence.

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)

Sailen Chatterjee, born in Comilla, was only 19 years old when he sacrificed his life for India’s freedom struggle. A passionate young revolutionary, Sailen stood against British oppression during one of the most volatile phases of India’s independence movement.

In October 1933, while imprisoned at the Deoli Detention Camp in Rajasthan—a notorious site used by the British to confine political activists—Sailen was fatally injured in a police firing incident. The authorities, fearing the rising unity among political prisoners, often used harsh tactics to suppress dissent. Sailen became a tragic victim of one such act of violence.

Though his life was short, his bravery and sacrifice made a lasting mark. Sailen Chatterjee’s story reminds us of the many unsung youth who laid down their lives not in battlefields, but behind prison walls.

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)

Sailen Chatterjee, born in Comilla, was only 19 years old when he sacrificed his life for India’s freedom struggle. A passionate young revolutionary, Sailen stood against British oppression during one of the most volatile phases of India’s independence movement.

In October 1933, while imprisoned at the Deoli Detention Camp in Rajasthan—a notorious site used by the British to confine political activists—Sailen was fatally injured in a police firing incident. The authorities, fearing the rising unity among political prisoners, often used harsh tactics to suppress dissent. Sailen became a tragic victim of one such act of violence.

Though his life was short, his bravery and sacrifice made a lasting mark. Sailen Chatterjee’s story reminds us of the many unsung youth who laid down their lives not in battlefields, but behind prison walls.

14. Jatish Guha

Jatish Guha, born around 1905 in Dhaka, was a committed freedom fighter who sacrificed everything for India's independence. After completing his education in Dhaka, he moved to Calcutta in 1930, earned his MA in 1931, and later completed a law degree. Though he began his career as a court advocate, his passion for the freedom struggle quickly became his life’s focus.

He joined the Gupta Biplabi Dal, a revolutionary underground group, and later became an active member of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s Forward Bloc. Jatish played a crucial role in Netaji’s daring escape from Calcutta, helping him reach safety to gather global support for India’s cause.

In 1942, during the Quit India Movement, he was arrested and detained at Delhi’s Red Fort, where he endured brutal torture. Despite his suffering, he never gave up the fight. Jatish died in 1946 due to the injuries sustained in prison.

His life remains a powerful symbol of courage, loyalty, and selfless patriotism in India’s freedom journey.

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