100 Years of the Kakori Train Action

• 18 Aug 2025

Source: HT 

Why in News? 

The Kakori Train Action, which took place in August 1925 near Kakori village close to Lucknow, holds a significant place in India’s freedom struggle. 

What was the Kakori Train Action? 

• About: On 9^th August 1925, Indian revolutionaries carried out the Kakori train action on the Number 8 Down train from Shahjahanpur to Lucknow, aiming to seize British government funds to support the freedom struggle. 
• Background: After the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919) and suspension of Non-Cooperation Movement (1922), young nationalists formed Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) (1924) to fund revolutionary activities by seizing British treasury money transported by train. 
• Personalities Involved: It was carried out by revolutionaries like Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqullah Khan, Rajendra Lahiri, Keshav Chakraborty, Mukundi Lal, Banwari Lal, and Chandrashekhar Azad (member of HRA). 
• British Response: British crackdown after the Kakori robbery led to arrests of many, of whom 17 were jailed, four transported for life and four—Bismil, Ashfaqullah, Roshan Singh and Rajendra Lahiri were hanged. Kakori proved to be a setback. 
  • Chandrashekhar Azad was one of the few revolutionaries who managed to escape police charges.

Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) 

• Foundation & Members: HRA was formed by a group of disillusioned youth after Gandhi halted the Non-Cooperation Movement (1922). 
  • It was founded in October 1924 in Kanpur by Ramprasad Bismil, Jogesh Chandra Chatterjee and Sachin Sanyal.  
• Ideology: On 1^st January 1925, HRA released its manifesto ‘Krantikari’ (Revolutionary). It aims to establish a federal Republic of the United States of India via organized armed revolution. 
  • It depicted revolutionaries as not terrorists, using violence only as necessary retaliation. 
• HRA Renamed as HSRA: In 1928, under Chandra Shekhar Azad’s leadership, the HRA was renamed as Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA), with Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Bhagwati Charan Vohra, Bejoy Kumar Sinha, Shiv Verma, and Jaidev Kapur among key participants. 
  • The HSRA adopted collective leadership and socialism as its official goal. 
  • It carried out major actions, including protests against the Simon Commission (1927), the assassination of JP Saunders (1928), and the Viceroy Irwin train bombing (1929).  
  • By the 1930s, British crackdowns fragmented the HSRA.  
• Significance: The HRA/HSRA linked revolutionary nationalism with socialist thought, offering a youth-led alternative to non-violent struggle. 

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ) 

Q. With reference to 8^th August, 1942 in Indian history, which one of the following statements is correct?

(a) The Quit India Resolution was adopted by the AICC. 
(b) The Viceroy’s Executive Council was expanded to include more Indians. 
(c) The Congress ministries resigned in seven provinces. 
(d) Cripps proposed an Indian Union with full Dominion Status once the Second World War was over. 

Ans: (a)

Q. With reference to Indian freedom struggle, consider the following events: (2017)

1. Mutiny in Royal Indian Navy 
2. Quit India Movement launched 
3. Second Round Table Conference 

What is the correct chronological sequence of the above events? 

(a) 1 – 2– 3 
(b) 2 – 1 – 3 
(c) 3 – 2 – 1 
(d) 3 – 1 – 2 

Ans: (c)