Kakori Train Action

• 20 Dec 2025

Source: PIB 

Union Home Minister paid tribute to Pandit Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqulla Khan, and Roshan Singh on their Balidaan Diwas (19th December), honoring their sacrifice in the Kakori Train Action that shook the foundations of British rule.

Summary 

• Founded in 1924 by Ram Prasad Bismil and others, the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) sought Indian independence through armed revolution inspired by socialist ideas.  
• The Kakori Train Action (1925) helped fund the freedom struggle but led to arrests and executions, after which the HRA was reorganized as the HSRA in 1928 inspiring revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh.

What is Kakori Train Action? 

• About: The Kakori Train Action (9th August 1925) was a landmark revolutionary act carried out by members of the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA) to fund the freedom struggle and challenge British colonial authority, marking a shift towards armed resistance in India’s national movement. 
• Historical Context: Took place after the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre (1919) and the withdrawal of the Non-Cooperation Movement (1922), which disillusioned many young nationalists.  
  • This disillusionment led to the formation of the HRA in 1924 to pursue revolutionary methods. 
• Event and Execution: Revolutionaries, led by Ram Prasad Bismil and including Ashfaqullah Khan, Chandrashekhar Azad, and Rajendra Lahiri, halted the 8-down train travelling from Shahjahanpur to Lucknow near Kakori station, looted the official treasury, and deliberately avoided harming passengers. 
  • Other members involved were Sachindranath Bakshi, Mukundi Lal, Banwari Lal, and Manmathnath Gupta. 
• British Crackdown & Trial: A massive crackdown led to the Kakori Conspiracy Case 1925. After an 18-month trial, four revolutionaries—Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqullah Khan, and Thakur Roshan Singh—were hanged on 19th December 1927, while others received life imprisonment. 
• Significance & Legacy: It highlighted a strategic shift to armed resistance, showcased extraordinary Hindu-Muslim unity (Bismil & Khan), and inspired the reorganization of the HRA into the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA), influencing future revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh.  
  • The martyrs are celebrated as symbols of sacrifice and patriotism. 

What was Hindustan Republican Association (HRA)? 

• About: The HRA, founded in October 1924 in Kanpur, was a revolutionary organization that advocated for the violent overthrow of British rule (armed resistance). 
• Formation: It was established by Ram Prasad Bismil, Jogesh Chandra Chatterjee, Sachindra Nath Sanyal, Shiv Verma, among others. 
• Ideology & Objective: Its manifesto, The Revolutionary (1925) by Sachindra Nath Sanyal, outlined the goal of establishing a federal republic in India through an organized armed revolution, influenced by socialist ideas and international revolutionary movements. 
  • This period saw global ideological change, and the Russian Revolution (1917) strongly influenced Indian revolutionaries. 
• Reorganization as HSRA (1928): Under Chandrashekhar Azad, HRA was renamed HSRA, adopting socialism as an official goal. Prominent members were Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Bhagwati Charan Vohra, Bejoy Kumar Sinha, Shiv Verma. 
• Major Actions (HSRA): Assassination of JP Saunders (1928) to avenge Lala Lajpat Rai’s death. 
  • Central Legislative Assembly bombing (1929) by Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt. Attempted Viceroy Irwin’s train bombing (1929). 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

1. What was the Kakori Train Action? 
The Kakori Train Action (1925) was a revolutionary robbery by the HRA to seize British treasury funds and fund the freedom struggle. 

2. Who were the key leaders of the HRA during Kakori? 
Key leaders included Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqullah Khan, Chandrashekhar Azad, and Thakur Roshan Singh. 

3. Which major actions were carried out by HSRA? 
Major actions included the assassination of J.P. Saunders (1928), Central Legislative Assembly bombing (1929), and the Viceroy’s train bombing attempt (1929). 

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)  

Q. With reference to 8th August, 1942 in Indian history, which one of the following statements is correct? (2021)

(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)