Friday, July 26, 2013
Madan Lal Dhingra (1883 – 1909) was an Indian freedom fighter, political activist, a revolutionary studying in England. There he killed Sir William Hutt Curzon Wyllie, a British official. It is hailed as one of the first acts of revolution in the Indian independence movement in the 20th century.
Madan Lal Dhingra was born on 18 Sept 1883 in a rich Hindu family of doctors in 1883 in Amritsar in the province of Punjab. His father was a wealthy eye specialist and Civil Surgeon of Amritsar. Some say he was the first Indian doctor to reach that eminent position. Madan Lal’s father, Dr Dhingra had seven sons in all: Kundanlal ( a businessman ), Dr Mohanlal, Dr Biharilal (MRCP 1895), Chamanlal (Barrister from Middle Temple 1899), Chunilal, MADANLAL and Bhajanlal (Barrister from Grays Inn 1911).
Dhingra’s family were loyalists of the British, and disowned him after his expulsion from college in Lahore owing to illicit political activities. Dhingra had to work as a clerk, a Tonga (rickshaw) puller, and a factory labourer. Dhingra attempted to organize a union there, but was sacked. He worked for sometime in Bombay before acting upon the advice of his elder brother and going to England for higher studies.
Madanlal Dhingra studied for Diploma in Civil Engineering at University College, London from 1906-09 (it is interesting to note that Dadabhai Naoroji was Professor of Gujarati in this college from 1856 to 1866. Ravindranath Tagore studied English Literature at the same college during 1878-1880. Dhingra’s elder brother Dr Biharilal passed MRCP from University College Hospital in 1895). Here he came in contact with Savarkar at India House. (This house at 65 Cromwell Avenue, London was purchased by Shyamji Krishnavarma in 1905. It was to be used as a students’ hostel.)
