Unsung Heroes Detail

Madan Lal Dhingra was born in a very rich family in Amritsar on 17 February 1883. Belonging to a well-established and wealthy family of Punjab, which was loyal to the British, Madanlal went to England in the year 1906 to study engineering.

While in London, he came in contact with Veer Savarkar and his associates. A man of deep conviction and firm determination, he realized that sacrifices and actions were needed, not words, in order to gain India’s liberation. He shot dead Curzon Wyllie, who was considered an anti-Indian officer of the British regime. His doctor father had disowned him after he assassinated Curzon Wyllie.

On 1 July 1909, at the meeting of the National Indian Association (an organization of Indian loyalists) he shot Curzon Wyllie dead. He made no attempt to escape and during the course of hearing of the case, he himself asked for a death sentence. He was hanged in London on 17 August 1909. On being sentenced to death, he graciously thanked the judge. Such was the spirit of sacrifice of this brave freedom fighter of our soil.