What were the early influences that shaped Bhagat Singh’s political ideology?
Bhagat Singh was a prominent Indian freedom fighter who was heavily influenced by a myriad of intellectual and cultural sources in forming his political ideology. Some of these influences include:
1. Family Background: Bhagat Singh was born into a politically active family that was involved in the freedom struggle. This early exposure to politics undoubtedly had an influence on his political thinking.
2. Jallianwala Bagh Massacre: Witnessing events like the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in 1919 profoundly affected him and intensified his resolve to participate in the struggle against British rule.
3. Reading and Self-Education: Bhagat Singh was an avid reader and was influenced by a variety of Western and Indian authors. Works by Marx, Lenin, and others introduced him to socialist and communist ideas.
4. Gandhi’s Non-Cooperation Movement: Although he was initially inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s Non-Cooperation Movement, the suspension of the campaign following the Chauri Chaura incident led Bhagat Singh to question the effectiveness of non-violent resistance.
5. Influence of Other Revolutionaries: He was deeply influenced by other freedom fighters and revolutionaries such as Shaheed Udham Singh and Ram Prasad Bismil, who espoused a more militant approach towards achieving independence.
6. Global Movements: Singh was also influenced by global movements like the Irish struggle for independence and the Russian Revolution, which shaped his belief in revolutionary tactics as a means of achieving freedom.
7. The Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA): His association with this revolutionary organisation also played a pivotal role in the formation of his political ideologies, which veered towards radical socialism and egalitarianism.
These are just a few key factors that shaped Bhagat Singh’s political ideology, which combined nationalism with elements of socialism and a militant stance against oppressive regimes.