Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali

Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali (25 December 1891 – 1 October 1979) was born in Chandpurgarh, in the Garhwal region. He belonged to the Chauhan dynasty lineage. Despite coming from a modest family where his father Jalouth Singh Bhandari was an illiterate farmer, Chandra Singh taught himself to read and write.

Military Career

Chandra Singh joined the British Indian Army on 3 September 1914 at Lansdowne. During World War I, he served on the Western Front in France and participated in key battles including the Mesopotamian campaign and the Battle of Baghdad in 1918. Initially promoted to sergeant during the war, his rank was later reduced post-war, which led him to contemplate leaving the army. However, after encouragement from senior officers and a period of engagement with the Arya Samaj and nationalist ideas, he remained in service.

Role in the Peshawar Revolt

In April 1930, during the ongoing independence struggle, Chandra Singh was ordered to suppress protests in Peshawar by firing on unarmed Pathan demonstrators. Refusing to obey these orders, he led the soldiers of the Royal Garhwal Rifles in non-violent defiance. This act of rebellion became known as the Peshawar massacre or Peshawar revolt, making him a hero of the freedom movement.

Imprisonment and Later Struggles

For his refusal, Chandra Singh was court-martialed, stripped of rank, and sentenced to 14 years in prison, later reduced to 11 years. He was incarcerated in several jails, including Abbottabad jail. Upon release in 1941, he faced restrictions on his movements but continued to participate in the independence struggle, joining the Quit India Movement in 1942 and being imprisoned again until 1945.

Post-Independence Life

After India’s independence, Chandra Singh returned to Garhwal in 1946. He became involved in politics and stood as a Communist Party candidate in the 1967 elections, though unsuccessfully. He remained a respected figure until his death on 1 October 1979 after a prolonged illness.

Legacy

The Government of India issued a postage stamp in his honor in 1994. Many roads and institutions in Uttarakhand and elsewhere have been named after him, commemorating his principled stand and contributions to India’s freedom struggle.