Without Fear (English, Paperback, Nayar Kuldip)

Without Fear: The Life & Trial Of Bhagat Singh is an intense and close look into the life and ideologies of Bhagat Singh, one of India’s well known freedom fighters and revolutionaries.

Summary of the Book

Bhagat Singh is one of the most revolutionary figures of the Indian freedom movement. He arrived on the Indian scene when Gandhi’s concept of nonviolence was beginning to lose its steam among the Indian people. His support of violence as well as his outright defiance of the British rule completely captivated the imagination of the youth. The daring acts of the Hindustan Socialist Republican party along with the cry of Inquilab Zindabad soon become the war cry of Indian freedom movement.

Bhagat Singh was executed at the age of 23 by the British for his involvement in the Lahore Conspiracy case. However, it was only many years after his death that his jail writings came into the limelight and began to be published. It is these very writings by Bhagat Singh that make him so different from other Indian revolutionaries. These writings show us that he was not just a zealous freedom fighter, but was also a learned and intellectual thinker who was inspired from the writings of Victor Hugo, Bertrand Russell, Marx and Lenin among others. His vision did not end with India gaining freedom, but with a want to establish India as a true socialist and secular country.

Why did Hans Raj turn into a British approver and betray Bhagat Singh? Was Sukhdev truly loyal? Why did Bhagat Singh resort to violence despite Gandhi’s condemnation? Written in an engaging manner, this book is rare portrait of a man who is both a great freedom fighter as well as a man of immense intellectual honesty. By commemorating the hundredth birth anniversary, Without Fear: The Life & Trial Of Bhagat Singh throws light on many aspects of Bhagat Singh’s life that have been previously questioned by many people.

Without Fear: The Life & Trial Of Bhagat Singh begins with the execution of Singh and travels in a flashback mode. Moving from his childhood, it details his emotional side as well on his personal ideologies. Letters and articles written by Bhagat Singh are also provided by the author in the annexure, and these reveal the ideology and thinking of the freedom fighter.

About Kuldip Nayar

Kuldip Nayar is a noted journalist, author, political commentator and former Indian parliamentarian. Other books authored by him include The Judgment: Inside Story Of The Emergency In India, Beyond The Lines, Distant Neighbours: A Tale Of The Subcontinent, Suppression Of Judges, India After Nehru, In Jail, Tragedy Of Punjab: Operation Bluestar & After, and Wall At Wagah: India Pakistan Relations.

Nayar was born in Sialkot in 1923. He is a BA graduate from Forman Christian College Lahore and has a law degree from Law College in Lahore. Nayar has held many prestigious positions in several news agencies and offices over many years. He was awarded an Alumni Merit Award by Northwestern University.