Chandrashekhar Azad’s childhood was spent among the Bhil community who were experts in archery.
Born on 23 July 1906 and martyred for the country at the age of just 24-25. He was so crazy about freedom that he even added ‘Azad’ before his name. The British used to tremble with them. He was among the most famous revolutionaries of the Indian freedom struggle. He was courageous. Used to take fast decisions. He gave great importance to the safety of his comrades. One of his special characteristics was his precise target. Such was Chandrashekhar Azad, who was deeply ingrained in the hearts of Indians.
Come, on the occasion of his birth anniversary, let us know how he managed to achieve mastery in shooting? At what age did you start playing with pistols and bullets?
Became a skilled shooter at an early age
Azad’s shooting was not just a natural talent. Behind this were childhood practice, strong body, patience, alertness and the ability to remain calm in difficult situations. Pistol was not an object of interest for him in his revolutionary life. It was a means of self-defense, partner-protection and organizational responsibility.
Chandrashekhar Azad’s childhood was spent in the Bhabra region of Central India. This area was associated with forests, mountains and tribal life. People of Bhil community lived there. The Bhil community is known for the traditional art of bow and arrow. Azad practiced archery with Bhil children in his childhood. This practice became very useful for him. Archery requires perfect coordination between eyes, hands and target. While aiming, one has to control the breath, body and attention. These same qualities later came in handy for him in pistol shooting also. The practice he got with the bow and arrow became the basis for the stability of his hands and concentration of his eyes.
Revolutionary Chandrashekhar Azad.
That’s why they kept pistols and bullets
When Azad joined the revolutionary movement, circumstances changed. The struggle against British rule was very difficult. Police, intelligence and government forces were constantly on the lookout for revolutionaries. In such a situation the revolutionaries had to protect themselves. It was also necessary to evacuate his comrades safely, so Azad started carrying pistols and bullets in place of bow and arrow. But this should not be considered merely a story of possessing weapons. For Azad, the pistol was a symbol of responsibility. Many times he had to protect senior colleagues of the organization. He was not a person who retreated in times of danger. Their aim was not to fire indiscriminately. He used to take decisions after understanding the circumstances. This is what makes him different from the ordinary armed man.
Regular physical exercises identify them
Azad’s body was very strong. He used to hold penal meetings regularly. His body was toned. His muscles were strong. He was also skilled in climbing trees. Physical fitness is closely related to shooting. A strong body does not only mean strength. This means better balance. Hands should not tremble while aiming. Body control is important. The body has to be kept stable even under stress. Azad lived a difficult life. They lived with limited resources. Many times he would sleep by spreading newspapers on the ground. Still his discipline did not break. This discipline strengthened his mental and physical abilities.
Azad had tremendous control over his mind.
A good shooter is not just a person with good eyes. He has to remain calm even under fear and pressure. Azad was famous for this quality. He kept avoiding the British police for a long time. He would constantly change his disguise. Sometimes he became a businessman and sometimes a porter. Sometimes he used to take the form of a monk and sometimes he was seen in English attire. In this life there was always the danger of being caught. In such a situation, nervousness was natural, but Azad had mental balance. He read the situation even amidst danger. He knew when to stop, when to move forward and when to save his partner. This mental stability made his aim stronger.
Azad considered the safety of his comrades as his first responsibility.
The most important aspect of Chandrashekhar Azad’s shooting was the safety of his comrades. He often stayed behind to protect his comrades. Their job was not just to attack. The people who were chasing him also had to be stopped. A similar incident comes to light after the murder of Saunders in Lahore. Bhagat Singh and Rajguru played lead roles in the plan. Azad was given the responsibility of providing security from behind. After the incident, Bhagat Singh and Rajguru were leaving from there. Head constable Chanan Singh was chasing him. Azad warned him to stop. When he continued the chase, Azad opened fire. This incident shows that Azad was not just skilled in aiming. He was always ready to protect his comrades in times of crisis. The lives of the organization and comrades were very important for him.
The last battle with the British in Alfred Park
Chandrashekhar Azad’s shooting is also discussed because of his last fight. On 27 February 1931, the police surrounded him in Alfred Park of Allahabad (now Prayagraj). Today this park is known by the name of Chandrashekhar Azad. He was not alone at that time. Sukhdev was also with him. Azad first gave his companion a chance to escape safely. After that they kept facing the police.
In one of its reports, BBC has quoted Hollins, a former IG of Uttar Pradesh, as praising Azad’s aim. Hollins wrote that Azad’s first bullet hit Knut Bawar in the shoulder. Police Inspector Visheshwar Singh was also seriously injured. According to Hollins, Azad’s bullets hit the tree at around the average height of a human being. On the other hand, many police bullets had hit much higher up. This description indicates that even after being surrounded and injured, Azad remained in control of himself. This is a great example of his patience and practice.
What did the pistol mean to Azad?
In Azad’s life, the pistol did not mean display of violence. It was a means of self-defense and resistance during the era of colonial oppression. At that time many revolutionaries believed that mere appeal to the British rule would not bring freedom. However, there were many ideologies in the freedom movement. Mahatma Gandhi was in favor of non-violence and mass movement. On the other hand, Azad, Bhagat Singh and their comrades were choosing the path of revolutionary resistance. The goal of both streams was India’s independence, but the methods were different. Azad’s pistol was part of his chosen path. Yet his personal life was full of discipline, simplicity and dedication towards his comrades.
In short, Chandrashekhar Azad was good at shooting because he had practiced aiming since childhood. Archery with Bhil children trained their eyesight and hands. Revolutionary life taught him the skillful use of a pistol. His physical strength, mental balance and discipline further strengthened this skill. He was definitely a shooter, but his identity was not limited to this only. His life shows that behind any skill, practice, discipline and a clear objective are of great importance.
Also read: Why could the British police not capture Chandrashekhar Azad alive?
