Lala Lajpat Rai or the Lion of Punjab was an inspirational leader, orator, journalist, author, and fierce freedom fighter. He was born on 28th January 1865 in Firozpur, Punjab. His father was Munshi Radha Krishan Agarwal and his mother Gulab Devi Agarwal. Lala Lajpat Rai studied law in Lahore where he met many freedom fighters. He was influenced by the movement of Swami Dayanand Saraswati and became part of Arya Samaj. He later joined Indian National Congress and in 1884 he moved to Hisar which was the changing point of his life. He established a branch of the Indian National Congress in Hisar.

While studying law, he practiced journalism and started writing to influence people for freedom. His contemporaries were Aurobindo Ghosh, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and Bipin Chandra Pal. Lal Bal Pal together started protesting and agitating. These leaders together launched the Swadeshi movement and Civil Disobedience movement which was later promoted by Mahatma Gandhi.

In 1914, he quit law practice to dedicate himself to the freedom of India. In 1917 he went to several countries like Britain, United States to influence the Indian community residing there. He founded the Indian Home Rule League of America in New York and also became the President of the Indian National Congress. Lala Lajpat Rai started several reforms and spoke against issues like the caste system, position of women, untouchability, and more. He also established several schools and colleges for the youths of India.

In 1928, the British government set up the Commission, headed by to report on the political situation in India. The Indian political parties boycotted the Commission because it did not include a single Indian in its membership. On 30 October 1928, Lajpat Rai led a non-violent, peaceful march in protest against it. The protesters chanted "Simon Go Back" and carried black flags. The Superintendent of Police, James A. Scott, ordered the police to lathi charge where Lajpat was seriously injured. Despite being extremely injured, Rai addressed the crowd and said, "I declare that the blows struck at me today will be the last nail in the coffin of British rule in India". He passed away on 17 November 1928. Bhagat Singh, who was a witness to the event, vowed to take revenge on one of the greatest leaders of India.

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