Mahatma Gandhi described ...........‘s death as ‘the setting of a great planet from India’s solar system.’

The correct answer is - Lala Lajpat Rai

Key Points

• Lala Lajpat Rai
  • Mahatma Gandhi referred to Lala Lajpat Rai’s death as the ‘setting of a great planet from India’s solar system’.
  • This statement highlights the immense contribution of Lala Lajpat Rai to the Indian freedom struggle.
  • Known as the Lion of Punjab, Lala Lajpat Rai was one of the prominent leaders in the Lal-Bal-Pal trio, which included Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Bipin Chandra Pal.
  • Lala Lajpat Rai actively participated in the Swadeshi Movement and was a strong advocate of education and self-reliance.

Additional Information

• Role in the Indian Independence Movement
  • Lala Lajpat Rai was a leader of the Indian National Congress and played a critical role in India’s fight for freedom.
  • He opposed the Simon Commission in 1928, which lacked Indian representation. During a protest against the commission in Lahore, he was severely injured in a police lathi charge and later succumbed to his injuries.
  • His death inspired revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh to intensify their struggle against British rule.
• Contributions to Education and Social Reform
  • Lala Lajpat Rai co-founded institutions like the Punjab National Bank and the Dayanand Anglo-Vedic (DAV) Schools, promoting education and self-reliance.
  • He was a staunch believer in the teachings of Swami Dayananda Saraswati and worked to propagate the principles of the Arya Samaj.
• The Lal-Bal-Pal Trio
  • Lala Lajpat Rai, along with Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Bipin Chandra Pal, formed the Lal-Bal-Pal trio, which advocated for Swaraj (self-rule).
  • The trio played a significant role in the Swadeshi Movement, encouraging Indians to boycott British goods and promote indigenous industries.