Chittagong Armory Raid

The Chittagong Armoury Raid, also known as the Chittagong Uprising of 1930, was a major revolutionary action against British colonial rule in India. It was organised and executed by a group of Indian nationalists led by Surya Sen (Masterda) in Chittagong, then part of undivided Bengal (now in Bangladesh). The event was one of the most daring attempts by Indian revolutionaries to overthrow British authority through an armed insurrection.
The raid aimed to capture British arms and disrupt colonial communication systems, symbolising a shift from passive resistance to militant nationalism in the Indian freedom struggle.

Background

By the late 1920s, growing dissatisfaction among Indian youth with the non-violent methods of the Indian National Congress had led to the rise of revolutionary groups, particularly in Bengal and Punjab. These groups believed that armed struggle was the only effective way to end British domination.
In Bengal, secret revolutionary societies such as the Anushilan Samiti and Jugantar had already been involved in anti-British activities since the early 20th century. The suspension of the Non-Cooperation Movement (1922) by Mahatma Gandhi and the repressive policies of the British government further radicalised young nationalists.
Amid this charged atmosphere, Surya Sen, a schoolteacher and prominent member of the Jugantar group in Chittagong, organised a revolutionary plan to strike at the heart of British military power in the region.

Objectives of the Raid

Surya Sen and his associates conceived a bold plan with multiple objectives:

1. To seize the arms and ammunition from the British armouries in Chittagong.
2. To cut off telegraph and railway communications between Chittagong and other British administrative centres.
3. To capture European officials and proclaim a Provisional Revolutionary Government in Chittagong.
4. To inspire a mass uprising throughout India against British colonial rule.

The Leaders and Revolutionaries

The uprising was led by Surya Sen (Masterda), a charismatic leader who had been involved in revolutionary activities since his student days. Other key revolutionaries included:

• Ananta Singh
• Ganesh Ghosh
• Lokenath Bal
• Ambika Chakraborty
• Pritilata Waddedar
• Kalpana Dutta (Joshi)
• Subodh Roy
• Harigopal Bal (Tegra)

Most participants were young students and idealists inspired by the spirit of sacrifice and patriotism.

The Events of the Raid

Date: 18 April 1930

On the night of 18 April 1930, the revolutionaries launched a carefully coordinated attack on British establishments in Chittagong.

1. Seizure of Armouries:
   • Two main armouries belonging to the Police and Auxiliary Forces were targeted.
   • The revolutionaries successfully captured arms and ammunition, including rifles and ammunition belts, though they failed to obtain machine guns as the ammunition was locked separately.
2. Disruption of Communication:
   • Telegraph and telephone lines were cut to isolate Chittagong from other British-controlled regions.
   • Railway lines were sabotaged to prevent reinforcements from arriving.
3. Proclamation of Independence:
   • After seizing the armouries, the revolutionaries gathered outside the Police Armoury and hoisted the Indian national flag, proclaiming the establishment of a Provisional Revolutionary Government of India.
4. Engagement with British Forces:
   • Within hours, British troops responded, leading to several skirmishes.
   • The revolutionaries retreated to the Jalalabad Hills, about 8 kilometres from the town, to regroup.

The Jalalabad Encounter

On 22 April 1930, British troops surrounded the revolutionaries at Jalalabad Hills. A fierce gun battle ensued, lasting several hours.

• About 12 revolutionaries, including Harigopal Bal (Tegra), were killed.
• The British suffered severe casualties, with over 80 soldiers killed or wounded.
• Surya Sen and a few others managed to escape into the countryside.

Following the encounter, the British launched an extensive manhunt to capture the revolutionaries.

Aftermath and Continued Resistance

Although the immediate uprising was suppressed, the spirit of rebellion continued.

1. Guerrilla Warfare:
   • Surya Sen reorganised his group and continued guerrilla activities for nearly two years, evading capture despite the British intelligence network.
2. Women’s Participation:
   • Female revolutionaries such as Pritilata Waddedar and Kalpana Dutta played critical roles.
   • In 1932, Pritilata led a raid on the European Club in Chittagong, which displayed the racist sign “Dogs and Indians not allowed.”
   • Surrounded by police, she consumed poison to avoid arrest, becoming a symbol of women’s bravery in the freedom struggle.
3. Capture and Execution of Surya Sen:
   • Surya Sen was betrayed by a close associate and captured in February 1933.
   • After brutal torture, he was executed by hanging on 12 January 1934.
   • His last message to his comrades urged them to remain steadfast and selfless in the fight for India’s freedom.

Significance of the Chittagong Armoury Raid

The Chittagong Uprising was one of the most remarkable acts of revolutionary nationalism in the Indian independence movement.

1. Symbol of Courage and Sacrifice:
   • It demonstrated the extraordinary bravery of Indian revolutionaries who challenged the might of the British Empire.
2. Youth Mobilisation:
   • The event inspired a generation of young Indians to join revolutionary movements across the country.
3. Women’s Empowerment:
   • The active participation of women like Pritilata and Kalpana marked a turning point in the involvement of women in India’s freedom struggle.
4. Challenge to British Authority:
   • The raid shook British confidence and exposed vulnerabilities in colonial control.
5. Legacy of Revolutionary Nationalism:
   • Though militarily unsuccessful, the raid became a moral victory, symbolising resistance and the uncompromising pursuit of freedom.

Legacy

• The Chittagong Armoury Raid occupies a special place in India’s revolutionary history, often compared to the heroic acts of Bhagat Singh and his associates in northern India.
• The story of the uprising and its leaders has been commemorated in literature, theatre, and cinema, most notably in the film “Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey” (2010).
• The sites associated with the raid, such as Jalalabad Hill and European Club, are preserved as historical landmarks in modern Bangladesh.