Thursday, June 30, 2022

Kakori- The Train Robbery that Shook the British Raj By Prachi Garg - Book Review

Name of the book: Kakori- The Train Robbery that Shook the British Raj

Author of the book:  Prachi Garg

Genre: Historical Non-Fiction

The Kakori train robbery was a conspiracy weaved against the British Empire to help Indian freedom fighters achieve freedom as soon as possible. Ram Prasad Bismil ideated that the political dacoities must take place. He believed that the money belonging to the British government will help them purchase weaponry which will help them further on their way to freedom.

Navrang India

ABOUT THE BOOK

The narrator of this book Ram Prasad Bismil was a freedom fighter, poet and an avid reader and a writer. This book is inspired by his autobiography which he wrote in the jail after his arrest. You must have heard different versions of struggle for independence; however history is told from different perspective and it requires deep uncovering to understand the strength and struggle of the heroes of the Kakori action, the first step towards the war of independence.

This book clearly defines the purpose and reality of this unforgettable incident. Every chapter starts with a beautiful quote in Hindi with English translation. I have shared one below. 

" है लिए हथियार दुश्मन ताक में बैठा उधर 

और हम तैयार है; सीना लिए अपना इधर

खून से खेलेंगे होली, गर वतन मुश्किल में है 

सरफरोशी की तमन्ना , अब हमारे दिल में है|"

(The enemy waits there with weapons, and here we are ready to take their bullets on our chest. We will shed blood if the nation is in trouble, the feeling of sacrifice is now in our heart s ♥)

The Kakori robbery was not looked upon as a petty theft or a crime of violence. Instead, it was being perceived as an event that had set the motion of revolution into a gigantic wave.

HRA (Hindustan Republican association) was founded by young revolutionaries like Rajendra Lahiri, Chandrasekar Azad, Sachindra Bakashi, Kesab Chakravarthi, MurariLal Gupta, Banwari Lal and Manmath Nath Gupta who were part of this mammoth yet significant incident. The members of HRA were extremely educated and well versed with world politics. They were excellent orators and writers and most of them came from a modest beginning. This association was designed in a manner to promote participation and volunteerism without the fear of hierarchy unlike Congress. They believed in encouraging ownership and responsibility and that helped in inculcating sense of brotherhood among all the comrades. By conducting this robbery they didn't want to to send any wrong message on behalf of their association to the country. They were sure that this robbery would bring them in direct and open animosity against the government. But in the end, it was executed for the greater cause of independence.  

The motivation behind this plan was to get money to accelerate the movement and to challenge the government. In fact, taking this money that actually belonged to the Indians seems like a symbolic way to tell the world that the revolutionaries would reclaim the country from the hands of the British.

MY TAKE ON THE BOOK

I would like to congratulate the author for sharing a different yet honest perspective about Kakori train robbery incident which was a landmark in Indian history. There is lot of fallacy around this incident and sharing the event from the horse's mouth will makes things clear in people's mind. The book is a reminder that tells us about how selflessly and tirelessly these revolutionaries fought for our freedom and stood against many atrocities. Very well researched and detailed descriptions of events and emotions.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Prachi Garg is the founder of www.ghoomophiro.com and the best selling author of Superwomen and five other books on entrepreneurship, which have been translated into other language as well.

She was awarded the Economic Times Inspiring Leader award (2021) and Adgully Women Disruptor in Technology (2021) for her exemplary contribution in the field of entrepreneurship and technology. She has been featured in CNN. The Hindu, The Indian Express, Business Today and other major media.

She has been contributing to various entrepreneurship platforms and takes up entrepreneurship workshops for B-school students.

BOOK DETAILS

Format: Paperback/Kindle

Price: 297 INR/ 261.25

Pages: 208

Availability: Amazon


This post is part of the Blogchatter's #Book Review Program #TBRChallenge #BookChatter




16 comments:

  1. I have heard and read about the Kakori Train Robbery. This book seems to present a unique perspective of the incident, and seems really fascinating and definitely worth reading.

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  2. We haven't read much about the Kakori robbery in our history books and most of it is a one-sided version anyway. This book sure will give us detailed info about what really transpired. It was more of a movement towards freedom.

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  3. Indian History is vast and we need to have such authors to share honest stories for our upcoming generation. This books seems so intresting to read.

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  4. I haven't read much about Kakori robbery. This book may have written with a different perspective. Would like to read this book to know more.

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  5. I love the content around freedom fighters as it inspires me a lot. And this looks like to be a perfect one according to my likings. Kakori train robbery will be my next kindle read.

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  6. Reading about the incident that shook the country must be truly a great experience. From your recommendation this book has found place on priority reading list.

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  7. I am glad that this book here throws light on an incident that does get mentioned in our history books but did not get its due significance as part of the freedom movement.

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  8. Kakori Train Robbery. is one of the famous historical event and many of us did not know proper details. it is great that author has done a great job in dealing with this important historical event. thanks dear for sharing your honest review.

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  9. Heard many good words about this work and have little idea about the Kakori Train Robbery. After reading the review I can say that the book managed to deliver the true perspective of the incident, and looks perfect for me to pick and read . Thanks for the recommendation

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  10. The Kakori incident is etched on our memories but I always feel that the narrative was one-sided and incomplete. Would love to read this book to know the finer details of what actually transpired back then.

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  11. I had studied about the Kakori train robbery in my history class in school but this seems more elaborate and detailed. Seems like a very interesting and spellbinding book.

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  12. Kakori train robbery incident sure was a landmark in Indian history. I shall definitely read this one to get a better perspective on this historical event.

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  13. Though I have no clue about this incident, would like to read and know more about it. Your review is even making me want to get and keep it right away.

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  14. We have never read about Kakori incident in the textbooks though it was a great event in history . I feel curious and would love to read the book one day. Thanks for sharing.

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  15. We all have read this incident in our history books, reading in detail about the entire incident that brought change to our freedom fight would be really interesting. would be picking it up next on my kindle

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  16. I haven't read much about Kakori robbery. Would like to read this genre of the book. Loved your review.

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