Bhagat Singh, a prominent Indian freedom fighter, was an avid reader with a keen interest in literature. He used pen names while writing for newspapers and had no formal education. Despite resorting to violent means, he initially tried non-violent methods of protest. Bhagat Singh conducted hunger strikes in prison to demand better conditions for political prisoners and was influenced by anarchism. He believed in religious harmony and served as a symbol of unity during India’s freedom struggle. Born on September 27, 1907, Bhagat Singh became a symbol of youthful valor and patriotism in the struggle for India’s independence from British colonial rule. He was involved in several acts of protest and resistance against British oppression, including the famous Lahore Conspiracy Case. Bhagat Singh’s unwavering commitment to the cause of freedom and his sacrifice, as he was martyred at the age of 23 in 1931, continue to inspire generations of Indians in their pursuit of liberty and justice. Here are 15 lesser-known things about Bhagat Singh: 1. Interest in Literature: Bhagat Singh read extensively, including works by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. He even wrote articles on the issues of capitalism and socialism. 2. Voracious Reader: He was an avid reader of books and newspapers in English, Urdu, and Punjabi. 3. Pen Name: Bhagat Singh used several pen names while writing for newspapers. Some of his pen names were ‘Shaheed-e-Azam,’ ‘Balwant,’ and ‘Rajguru.’ 4. No Formal Education: Bhagat Singh had to leave school at the age of 13 due to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and other repressive measures by the British. He was mostly self-taught. 5. Lover of Poetry: He had a deep love for poetry and was inspired by the works of poets like Allama Iqbal and Ram Prasad Bismil. 6. Lethal Attack on the Assembly: Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt threw non-lethal smoke bombs in the Central Legislative Assembly in Delhi to protest against repressive laws. 7. Use of Non-violent Methods: Before resorting to violent means, Bhagat Singh and his associates tried various non-violent methods of protest. 8. Hunger Strikes: Bhagat Singh and his fellow inmates conducted several hunger strikes while in prison to demand better conditions and rights for political prisoners. 9. Influence of Anarchism: Bhagat Singh was influenced by the principles of anarchism, and he believed in the power of individual actions to bring about social change. 10. Religious Harmony: Despite being a Sikh by birth, Bhagat Singh was secular in his outlook and believed in religious harmony. 11. Symbol of Unity: Bhagat Singh’s life and sacrifice served as a unifying force among different political and religious groups in India during the struggle for independence. 12. Belief in Socialist Ideals: He not only fought for India’s political freedom but also believed in the socialist ideals of equality and justice. 13. Pioneering Use of Propaganda: Bhagat Singh was one of the pioneers of using propaganda as a tool for spreading the message of freedom. 14. Execution Date Mismatch: While the official date of Bhagat Singh’s execution is March 23, 1931, some historical accounts suggest that he was actually executed on March 24, 1931. 15. Posthumous Influence: Bhagat Singh’s legacy continues to inspire generations of Indians and freedom fighters worldwide. He remains an enduring symbol of sacrifice and patriotism.