Ram Prasad Bismil

Ram Prasad Bismil (11 June 1897 – 19 December 1927) was an Indian revolutionary who participated in Mainpuri conspiracy of 1918, and the Kakori conspiracy of 1925, and struggled against British imperialism. As well as being a freedom fighter, he was a patriotic poet and wrote in Hindi and Urdu using the pen names Ram, Agyat and Bismil. But, he became popular with the last name "Bismil" only. He was associated with Arya Samaj where he got inspiration from Satyarth Prakash, a book written by Swami Dayanand Saraswati. He also had a confidential connection with Lala Har Dayal through his guru Swami Somdev, a preacher of Arya Samaj.

Quotes

Poetry

Desire for Self-sacrifice

• On one side is the call of Christ, on the other is death,
  We are caught in a conflict, hard to resolve.
  Having received many a wound, for more of wounds he craves,
  Mark the courage of helpless Bismil, how he suffers unfazed!
  • Masterpieces of Patriotic Urdu Poetry, p. 111

Desire for Self-sacrifice (Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna)

• We are now raring to die for our country's sake
  Let's see how much of strength the assassin can display!
  O traveller on the path of love, do not drop mid-way,
  It is the distance of the goal that glorifies the chase.
  It is the distance of the goal that glorifies the chase.
  Standing by the gallows the hangman makes a call,
  Come, if there be any, by the martyr's zeal enthralled.
  We'll tell you all, O sky, wait till he time arrives,
  How can we at this stage, our secret plans unveil?
  O martyrs in the nation's cause, kudos to your sacrifice,
  Even in the enemy they talk of you with praise.
  Fired by patriotic fervour, many a maddened youth.
  Has gathered at the crossing, itching for the cross.
  Why are they mute and silent? no whisper, no talk,
  Everyone that I see has got his lips locked.
  • Masterpieces of Patriotic Urdu Poetry, p. 109

External links

• K. C. Kanda: Masterpieces of Patriotic Urdu Poetry: Text, Translation, and Transliteration, Sterling Publishers, New Delhi, 2009