In court, Udham Singh fearlessly spoke against British rule and declared his name as Mohammad Singh Azad, symbolizing that his fight was for all Indians, beyond religion or caste.
Many revolutionaries risked their lives for India’s freedom, but Shaheed Udham Singh’s story stands apart. On March 13, 1940, he avenged the Jallianwala Bagh massacre by killing Michael O’Dwyer, the former Lieutenant Governor of Punjab, in London’s Caxton Hall. However, this historic act was the result of a long and secretive journey. To fulfill his mission, Udham Singh traveled across 18 countries, worked in British films, changed identities multiple times, and carefully planned every step.
The Jallianwala Bagh massacre of 1919, ordered by General Dyer, ignited a burning desire for revenge in him. Having lost his parents at a young age, Udham Singh grew up facing hardships. He spent his early years in an orphanage before setting out on a journey that took him across Russia, France, Italy, Poland, Latvia, and other countries. During these travels, he strengthened his revolutionary beliefs, gathered intelligence, forged passports, and mastered the art of disguise, all in preparation for the moment he had been waiting for.
Worked in British films to stay undercover
After reaching Britain, Udham Singh took on small acting roles in British films to blend into society and avoid suspicion. He worked as a supporting actor in movies like Sabu the Elephant Boy and The Four Feathers, produced by British studios. His ability to disguise himself and remain unnoticed was remarkable—even in a crowd, he could easily conceal his true identity.
In 1938, he was arrested in Britain, but due to his false identity, authorities failed to recognize him, and he managed to escape without revealing his real mission.
Revolver hidden inside a book
By the time Udham Singh arrived in England in 1934, he had already planned his revenge against Michael O’Dwyer. On March 13, 1940, during a meeting of the Royal Central Asian Society at Caxton Hall, Udham Singh entered the hall with a revolver hidden inside a book. As soon as O’Dwyer stood up to leave, Udham Singh fired multiple shots, killing him on the spot. He was immediately arrested.
In court, Udham Singh fearlessly spoke against British rule and declared his name as Mohammad Singh Azad, symbolizing that his fight was for all Indians, beyond religion or caste. On July 31, 1940, he was executed by hanging.
Years later, in 1974, his remains were brought back to India, where he was honored with a dignified funeral. His sacrifice remains a golden chapter in India’s freedom struggle.
