Madan Lal Dhingra Biography: Birthday, Early Life, Career, Death, Legacy

Madan Lal Dhingra Biography: Indian revolutionary and pro-independence activist Madan Lal Dhingra (18 September 1883 – 17 August 1909).While studying in England, he murdered British official William Hutt Curzon Wyllie.

Madan Lal Dhingra Biography

Early years

Madan Lal Dhingra was born in Amritsar, India, on 18 September 1883 to an affluent and well-educated Hindu Punjabi Khatri family. Madan Lal was one of eight children (seven sons and one daughter), and his father, Dr. Ditta Mal Dhingra, was a civil surgeon. All seven sons of Dhingra studied abroad, including Dhingra.

Until 1900, Dhingra attended the MB Intermediate College in Amritsar. He subsequently travelled to Lahore to attend the Government College University. Here, he was influenced by the nascent nationalist movement, which sought Home Rule rather than independence at the time. Dhingra was particularly troubled by India’s destitution. Extensively studying the literature on the causes of Indian poverty and famines, he concluded that Swaraj (self-government) and the Swadeshi movement were central to finding solutions to these problems.

Dhingra embraced the Swadeshi movement, which sought to increase India’s self-sufficiency by promoting Indian industry and entrepreneurship and boycotting British (and other foreign) products, with particular zeal. He discovered that the colonial government’s industrial and financial policies were designed to stifle local industry and encourage the purchase of British imports, which he believed was a significant factor in India’s lack of economic development.

As a student in the Master of Arts programme in 1904, Dhingra led a student protest against the principal’s directive to import cloth for the college blazer from Britain. For this, he was expelled from college. His father, who held a high-paying government position and disapproved of agitators, advised him to apologise to the college administration, refrain from engaging in similar activities in the future, and prevent (or reverse) the expulsion. Dhingra refused and even declined to return home to discuss the matter with his father, opting instead to accept a job and live according to his own desires. Thus, following his expulsion, Dhingra accepted a position as a clerk in Kalka, at the foot of the Shimla hills, for a company that provided a Tanga carriage service to convey British families to Shimla during the summer.

Following his dismissal for disobedience, he laboured as a factory labourer. Here, he attempted to form a union, but was fired for his efforts. He moved to Bombay and worked there for a spell, once more in low-level positions. His older sibling, Dr. Bihari Lal, compelled him to continue his education in the United Kingdom, as his family had become extremely concerned about him. Dhingra eventually agreed, and in 1906 he departed for Britain to study mechanical engineering at University College, London.

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Works

In May 1906, Madal Lal Dhingra left India to study mechanical engineering at University College London. After Bengal’s contentious partition in 1905, the Swadeshi Movement reached its zenith in Bengal, with passions intensifying. Young revolutionary figure Vinayak Damodar Savarkar was instrumental in moulding Dhingra’s career. Savarkar founded the first secret society in India (Mitra Mela) and led another revolutionary organisation called Abhinav Bharat.

Savarkar, as a student at Fergusson College, led a group of youths in the burning of foreign fabric, but was expelled for sedition. This inspired him to conduct revolutionary activities abroad, and in 1905 he travelled to London, where he met with Shyamji Krishnavarma of India House. The India House provided extremely affordable housing for Indian students, with a focus on the liberation of their motherland. Dhingra, a timid and reticent student, entered India House and was captivated by Savarkar’s magnetic personality.

Savarkar was instrumental in shaping Dhingra into a revolutionary. In 1907, Savarkar became India House’s de facto leader. During his youth in Amritsar, Dhingra had no prior experience operating pistols and remained entirely removed from politics. Savarkar recognised Dhingra’s latent aptitude and mentored him in a distinctive manner.

By 1909, Dhingra was an accomplished marksman, and Savarkar’s influence had worn off on him. On July 1, 1909, he accomplished his objective of immortalising his skills by assassinating Lord Curzon and Lord Morley.

Madan Lal Dhingra Death

Dhingra was arrested promptly. Dhingra represented himself at his trial, despite not recognising the legitimacy of the court. He claimed he murdered Curzon-Wyllie as a patriotic act and in retaliation for the British government’s inhumane treatment of Indians in India. He was judged guilty and given the death sentence. He was put to death at Pentonville Prison on August 17, 1909.

Madan Lal Dhingra Legacy

Though his martyrdom did not erase his memory, prominent American, European, and Irish newspapers published editorials about this ardent patriot. Political assassinations had occurred previously, but this was the first time such an incident occurred on the colonial home soil; consequently, Dhingra’s act became a subject of political contention in the days following his execution. However, despite having many detractors, his bravery was admired by many people from all walks of life. Winston Churchill reportedly informed Lloyd George that Dhingra’s last words were the finest ever spoken in the name of patriotism.