Centuries may pass but we Indians are still indebted to the sacrifices of this teenager. This young man was a nightmare to the Britishers. That is why, even though the law didn’t permit him to hang, the Britishers breached the law & gave him the death sentence. At an age where most of us are unable to figure out what to do in life, Khudiram Bose not only decided to oppose British colonialism with unabated vehemence but his valour also made him a martyr at just 18!

Born on December 3^rd, 1889, Khudiram Bose was one of the most prominent figures in the Indian struggle for freedom. He was the youngest revolutionary the movement had witnessed. The valiant Bose, led a life replete with risk and adventure, unflinching from his goal of seeing India as an independent country. His leadership potential brought him to the forefront of the freedom struggle. It was this unsung hero who first threw a bomb at the British, demanding their ouster from India!

Dare-devil has got another name and it is Khudiram Bose. He was well aware that India will attain Independence from the brutality of the British only if they opt for the revolutionary path. Bose joined a newly formed “Akhra” or club created and patronised by some people who were active in the socio-political sphere. In no time Khudiram becomes a cynosure of everyone’s eyes in that troop for his unbounded enthusiasm for social service, his adventurous spirit and leadership qualities, and his excellence in physical culture and training.

On April 30, 1908, in Muzzafarpur, Bose along with his accomplice Prafulla Chaki, threw bombs on the carriage in which Kingsford, the magistrate of Bihar was travelling. However, Kingsford wasn’t travelling in the carriage and the occupants of the carriage were the wife and daughter of barrister Pringle Kennedy, who were killed as a result of their actions. Bose and Chaki were arrested (separately) on the 1st of May 1908, a day after their heroics became the talk of the town. In order to save Chaki, Bose claimed full responsibility of carrying out the attack on the carriage which he thought was occupied by Kingsford.

Khudiram was sentenced to death but that did little to break his spirit. He calmly responded with a smile. He even said he could teach the judge, the skill of bomb-making if given some time. Even at the age of 16, Bose used to plant bombs near police station, targeting government officials! While the annals of history have relayed the heroics of great freedom fighters like Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad and Bal Gangadhar Tilak, the name of Khudiram Bose goes unnoticed.

So, let’s remember this great man and the zeal with which he envisioned free India.