Top 10 Unbelievable Facts about Surya Sen

Top 10 Unbelievable Facts about Surya Sen

Surya Sen was a Bengali independence activist. Sen is remembered for the bold 1930 Chittagong (now in Bangladesh) raid on the British armoury. Referred to as ‘Master da’ which means teacher and elder brother, Sen was interested in nationalist ideals even as a student. A school teacher by profession, Sen was a charismatic leader and strategist. He encouraged women and the youth to join the Indian independence movement.

Born on 22 March 1894 in Noapara, Chittagong, Sen lost his parents at a young age. With the loss of his mother Sashibala and father Ramaniranjan Sen who was also a school teacher, Sen was brought up by his uncle, Gourimoni.

Sen completed his primary school education at Doyamoyi Primary School and was admitted to Noapara English High School. After class 8, Sen joined National High School, matriculating in 1912. For his college, Sen attended Chittagong College and then Behrampore College where he attained his Bachelor of Arts degree.

During his college years, Sen was encouraged by one of his teachers at Chittagong College to join revolutionary activities. The revolutionaries were agitating for India’s freedom. While at Behrampore College, Sen was more inspired by the revolutionary activities and came into contact with the ‘Jugantar’ group.

While teaching mathematics after graduating, Sen began creating the ‘Jugantar’ group in 1918 in Chittagong. His ability to connect with the common person, his organizational skills and his skills earned him recognition in the society. Sen’s popularity and status as a teacher earned him the nickname Master da’.

Below are ten incredible facts about Surya Sen.

1. Sen was the mastermind behind the Chittagong Armoury Raid

Poster for Shonali Bose’s movie titled Chittagong. Photo by Chittagong official website/Wikimedia Commons

After the failure of the Non-Cooperation movement, Sen began planning an attack. The attack on British areas was referred to as the ‘Chittagong Armoury Raid’.

The Chittagong Raid was to attack two British strongholds but its aim was much greater. Chittagong was a strategic war zone defence against the Japanese. It was also a major British administration centre and a trading centre for British oil companies operating there.

2. The day of the Chittagong Raid may have contributed to its outcome

Said to have occurred on Good Friday, the attack was intended to interrupt train movement, interrupt telegram and telephone services and capture ammunition. In addition, the attack was to be carried out at the exclusive club.

This club for Europeans was for military officials, high ranking government officials and Europeans from the trading companies. On the day of the raid, there were few people at the armouries.

3. The outcome of the Chittagong Armoury raid was not as expected

Copy of the Photograph of Surya Sen published in the British Police Gazette in the 1930s. Photo by Tanveer Islam/Wikimedia Commons

On April 18, 1930, under the Indian Republic Army, Sen and other revolutionaries managed to break into two Chittagong armoury units. They were successful in interrupting train movement and disrupting the telegraph and telephone system.

However, they did not find any ammunition. Realising the impact this had on their plan, they planted the National flag and fled into the Chittagong hills. The British army caught up with them on Jalalabad hill on April 22.

80 British Army personnel and 12 revolutionaries were killed in the battle. Sixty-five people were said to have taken part in the raid. Realising there may be no victory at hand, Sen and the other revolutionaries divided themselves into smaller groups.

They fled into the villages nearby and continued carrying out surprise attacks and guerrilla raids on British property and personnel. Over  200 British officers lost their lives in the subsequent months.

4. Sen took various jobs as he hid amongst the people in various areas

Sen went into hiding and moved from place to place. This made it difficult for the British to track him down. To avoid detection, Sen took various jobs such as a milkman, a priest or a farmer. The people in these areas, who respected and loved Sen, offered him food and shelter.

5. Sen’s last location was given to the British personnel by one of his associates

Surya Sen’s wanted poster, 22 June 1932. Published by the Inspector general of the Police Division of Undivided Bengal. Photo by Kolkata State Archive/Wikimedia Commons

After a while, Surya Sen took refuge in Netra Sen’s house. Said to be one of Sen’s associates, Netra took the bounty offered for Sen’s capture and gave up his location. The bounty amounted to Rs.10,000.

On February 16, 1933, the authorities surrounded Netra’s house located in Gairala Village. Sen was captured and taken into custody. Shortly thereafter, a rebel closely associated with Sen arrived to find Netra having his meal.

Using a long knife, the associate beheaded Netra in front of his wife. A supporter and admirer of Sen, Netra’s wife did not disclose the murderer’s identity. She told the investigating officer that her husband’s murder was justified. She also said she was embarrassed to be the wife of a traitor.

6. Sen was arrested and hung by the British Administration

Photo of the hang platform. Photo by Swomitra/Wikimedia Commons

After Sen’s arrest, Tarakeshwar Dastidar, the new president of the Jugantar Party’s Chittagong branch planned to break Sen out of prison. The plan was thwarted and both Sen and Dastidar were sentenced to death.

On 12 January 1934, they were hung. Later, it was discovered that Sen had endured torture during his last days in prison. To extract information, his limbs, joints and all teeth were broken using a hammer.

The torture was intense that Sen was hung while unconscious. To avoid public outcry, the prison authorities put Sen in a metallic cage and disposed of his body in the Bay of Bengal. No last rites were performed.

7. Dhaka University named a hall after Surya Sen

1904 view of Dacca College from the tennis courts in Dacca (now Dhaka). Photo by Fritz Kapp/Wikimedia Commons

To commemorate Sen’s contribution to the freedom movement in India, Dhaka University named a hall after him. The residential hall was named ‘Master da Surya Sen Hall’. Additionally, Bangladesh and India issued stamps to honour his memory.

8. Sen believed humanity was a distinct quality for a revolutionary

Sen’s character and charisma played an integral role in India’s revolution. In his book titled India’s Struggle for Independence, Bipin Chandra quotes Sen. Chandra writes that Sen often said that humanity was a distinct quality for a revolutionary.

9. Sen worked alongside other revolutionaries

Symbol of Anushilan Samiti (1902-1936). Photo by Jibantara Haldar/Wikimedia Commons

Sen worked with a number of revolutionaries to instigate a free India. The revolutionaries included Sarat Chandra Bose, the founder of the Anushilan Samity revolutionary organisation.

This organization advocated for violence in a bid to end British rule in India. Sen also worked with Chittaranjan Das, who led the Non-Cooperation Movement in Bengal.

10. Sen’s actions caused the growth of the revolutionary movement in India

Master-da Surya Sen. Photo by www.rebelsindia.com/Wikimedia Commons

The 1930 Chittagong revolution turned the tide in the fight for India’s freedom. The result was, according to the British secretary of state for India Sir Samuel Hoare, an increase in the outcry for immediate Independence. It’s believed that Sen’s actions led to an increased outpouring into the various revolutionary groups.