December in History

T.N. Kundra

15 December, 1950 : Death of India’s Iron Man Sardar Vallabhai Patel. Credit of the accession of more than 650 Indian states to Indian Union goes to him. He was an able administrator and President of Indian National Congress in 1931.

17 – 21 December, 1927 : Four martyrs of Kakori Dacoity case namely Ram Prashad Bismal, Ashfaq Ullahkhan, Roshan Singh and Rajendar Singh Lehri were hanged in different jails of Uttar Pradesh.

18 December, 1913 : Mahatma Gandhi, who was jailed for 6 month’s rigorous imprisonment for defying prohibitory orders in Transwal (S.A) was released unconditionally before expiry of the term, vowed to wear the dress of indentured coolies and take one meal a day till Prime Minister of South Africa General Smuts honoured his agreement regarding Asian Registration Act.

25 December 1861 : Birth of Pt. Madan Mohan Malviya – Congress president four times. Journalist, reformer and Parliamentarian, builder of Banaras Hindu University for which he collected funds from rulers and the ruled, rich and poor, Hindus and Muslims, from one anna to lacs of rupees. He was called "Prince among Beggars". In the Quit India Movement when the University was taken over by military this sober statesman declared "Let the University be bombarded and destroyed. If India lives, scores will emerge."

25 December, 1925 : Martyrdom of Swami Shardhanand – an Arya Samaj leader, patriot, and founder of Gurukul Kangri. After Jallianwala massacre, it was only due to him that the Congress could hold its session in Amritsar.

28 December, 1885 : Birth of Indian National Congress due to untiring effort of a retired Indian Civil Service officer, Mr. O. Hume.

28 December, 1928 : Calcutta session of Indian National Congress under the presidentship of Pt. Motilal Nehru resolved to issue an ultimatum to the British government to grant Dominion Status to India by 31st December, 1929, failing which Congress’ goal would be complete independence (Sampooran Swaraj).

31 December, 1929 : The president of the session, Rashtrapti, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, (at that time Congress president was called Rashtrapti) declared that after the last stroke of midnight the goal of Congress would be Complete Independence, was greeted with cheers, Mahatma Gandhi ki Jai, Bharat Mata ki Jai, Jawaharlal Nehru Zindabad. Delegates embraced each other. Bhangra was performed and sweets were distributed as the coming dawn was of new hope. Determination was to win Independence, whatever sacrifice it may demand.

Jhanda Uncha Rahe Hamara

A song which is on the lips of every Indian was composed by Shri Sham Lal Parshad of Kanpur, was sung for the first time in Kanpur Congress Session under the presidentship of Smt. Sarojini Naidu in December 1925. One American, Rev. J.H. Homes, who addressed the session wearing a Gandhi cap said "I claim Gandhi for whole world, as we have gone very far in pursuit of wealth and power bringing war after war till civilization is destroyed. So we gladly turn to you, who indicate another and better way and follow the brotherly spirit which is represented by the greatest among you – the Gandhi."

December 1896 : In 1896 Congress session at Calcutta under the presidentship of Janab Rahmatullah M. Sayani, Vande Mataram was sung for the first time in Congress session, which afterwards became a mantra for the Congressmen.

6 December, 1921 : Jawaharlal Nehru was arrested urging people to boycott visit of Prince of Wales. Released on 3rd March, 1922.

Some of the martyrs of the month of December

1st December 1923 : Sardar Dhanna Singh, a Babbar Akali activist of Hoshiarpur (Punjab), killed himself and police informer with a bomb under his arm.

2nd December, 1930 : Shri Salig Ram Shukla and his companion engaged in gun training, killed in police encounter.

4th December, 1914 : Shri Jyotish Chandre Pal, active revolutionary went to Goa to take delivery of arms from a German ship Maveric was arrested, sentenced to life imprisonment. Died in jail due to atrocities.

8 December, 1930 : Shri Benoy Basu, a hero of Writers Building (Headquarter of Bengal Quarter) encounter with police, killed police officer Lawrence, was seriously injured, died in custody.

10 December, 1857 : Shri Narain Singh, who was engaged in struggle for peasants cause, escaped from police custody, rearrested and hanged publicly.

15 December, 1934 : Shri Motilal Malik who in an encounter with police killed a police informer, was hanged in jail.